Silver Concorde flies home as Musselburgh beats frost

● Owner Gilbert tips novice for better things after impressive hurdle victory

After three inspections the cold eventually relented and yesterday’s extra meeting at Musselburgh was finally given the green light.

The card started with Silver Concorde running out a smooth winner of the Jump To It And Join Racing UK Novices’ Hurdle for Keith Dalgleish and Brian Hughes at odds of 1-10.

Hughes, pictured, said: “This horse won the 2014 Champion Bumper so he has quite an engine and he jumps for fun.”

Winning owner Richard Gilbert added: “I think we may give him another run under a double penalty in a novice race before going for something better.”

There was drama in EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle the when long odds on favourite Some Reign refused to jump off at the start. Sonic then looked in control when coming down at the second last, an incident which saw Ballycrystal Court produce a nifty sidestep before scoring for Danny Cook and Sandy Thomson.

Greenlaw-based Thomson went on to land the feature race when Rachael Mcdonald made all on Buckled in the Biggest Jumps Season On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle.

“Nothing wanted to go on so I decided to lead and I was happy dictating from the front,” Mcdonald said. “He stays further so I knew he’d get home when I kicked turning in and in the end he’s won really well.”

At Southwell today, Pearl Acclaim has the dash to defy a 6lb penalty and give sprint specialist David Griffiths another victory.

The Bawtry trainer has enjoyed a successful season in that division with the evergreen duo of Take Cover and Duke Of Firenze flying the flag.

While Pearl Acclaim is not in the same class as his illustrious stablemates, he also is paying his way.

Griffiths is probably still learning about Pearl Acclaim as he only acquired him out of David O’meara’s stable in the summer. The seven-year-old’s triumph over the course and distance last week was his first for his new stable after he had knocked on the door several times. He won decisively by two-and-a-half lengths from Archie Stevens and on that evidence should back it up in the Betway Sprint Handicap.

Tricky Dicky can reverse recent form with Mujassam to land the Betway Handicap. Olly Williams’ charge was collared 75 yards from the finish by that rival over this six furlongs earlier in the month after hitting the front just inside the final furlong.

Tricky Dicky has a 3lb pull for being beaten one length and it ought to be enough to see him turn the tables and see off the rest of the opposition.

Ladies First looks ready to open her account in the Betway Median Auction Maiden Stakes following placed efforts on her first two starts.

The three-year-old, trained by Mick Easterby, is a full sister to Group-race winner Ladies Are Forever and has already shown enough promise to suggest she can boost her value by becoming a winner.

Tomngerry can make a winning debut over fences in the Come Racing On New Year’s Day Beginners’ Chase at Catterick after making an encouraging return from a 19-month absence when runner-up over hurdles behind Desert Cry at Carlisle six weeks ago.

Brian Ellison’s seven-yearold had shown plenty of ability as a novice hurdler two seasons ago and was thought good enough to run in the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Espoir De Teillee, trained by Neil Mulholland, made a flying start to his jumps career when scoring over this course and distance last month and can repeat the trick in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Winter Festival Novices’ Hurdle.