Musselburgh punters can look to get the benefit of Mr Kite

A planned inspection at Musselburgh yesterday afternoon was not required and today’s meeting will go ahead subject to a precautionary inspection at 8am this morning.

Trainer Susan Corbett will be hoping for another big run from Mr Kite, a course and distance scorer last spring.

The Northumberland raider faces six rivals in the Gerry Mcgladery is 50 Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier For The Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final) and Corbett said: “We have lots of hills at home so it can be hard work for the horses but Mr Kite has been really enjoying himself.

“He’s not an easy ride but our son James gets on well with him and they won nicely at Musselburgh in March. He’s gone up 6lb for that and he’s also finished third at the track so he acts on the course well enough.”

Among the opposition to Mr Kite is Philip Kirby-trained Asum, who scrambled home by a neck at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

John Quinn’s Je Suis Charlie, pipped by half a length when a hot favourite over course and distance on New Year’s Day, is another interesting contender as he makes his handicap debut. Twelve months ago the Malton trainer landed the prize with the useful Project Bluebook.

Other decent horses have bagged this two mile handicap in the past, notably 2014 victor Clever Cookie, a subsequent Group winner on the Flat.

Michael Scudamore saddles a rare Musselburgh runner in the shape of Northern Beau in the Cosmic Case Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old makes her debut under Rules after winning both starts in Irish point to points in May and April.

At the East Lothian track next month, Missed Approach will bid to bolster his chances of appearing in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree with an outing in the bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase.

Trainer Warren Greatrex has earmarked the four-mile contest on 3 February as the next port of call for the eight-yearold, after he finished third in the Classic Chase at Warwick last weekend.

The Lambourn handler said: “He ran well the other day. He did everything right, he just hit a flat spot with a mile to go but he did stay on well. Nothing was going to beat the winner [Milansbar]. I think he is a Grand National-type of horse, but he needs to go up in the weights.

“I am now going to look at the Edinburgh National.”