Racing: Alexander aiming to pilot Red Tanber to fifth Musselburgh win

Friday 9 November 2012

Red Tanber can make a winning return to action in the Buy Your 2013 Annual Members Badge Today Handicap Chase at Musselburgh.

Custom byline text:

White and Gold

The nine-year-old was one of the success stories on the northern circuit last season, rising rapidly through the weights after four victories at this track, and a win at Kelso really put Lucy Alexander, his jockey, on the map.

He unsurprisingly had his limitations exposed when thrown into top-class novice company at the Cheltenham Festival, but he showed that run had not knocked his enthusiasm one bit by rounding off an excellent campaign with a fine second at Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting.He will be harder to place this time around, but clearly loves Musselburgh and undoubtedly would be a popular winner with local racegoers.Hexham is one of Ferdy Murphy's favourite haunts and his Ockey De Neulliac is probably the best bet on their card in the Warden Selling Hurdle.The 10-year-old is a pretty talented individual on his day, as his chase rating of 125 will testify, but bleeding issues have prevented him fulfilling his potential.Due to his problems, Murphy has decided to campaign the gelding in a lesser grade over hurdles and it has proved to be a wise move.The veteran ended a long losing streak in this race last year, went on to win a claimer at Wetherby, a handicap chase at Ayr and returned to Hexham to win on his seasonal return a month ago.Young conditional rider John Winston seems to get a particularly good tune out of him and he looks bound to go well if his old problems do not resurface.* Lucy Alexander's stock continues to rise and she was seen to great effect on Or De Grugy in the TurfTV Handicap Chase at Musselburgh, the second leg of a 39-1 double. Having whittled her allowance down the 3lb in recent seasons, it is only a matter of time before the conditional jockey joins the fully fledged ranks.Or De Grugy (4-1) looked booked for second at best as Richard Johnson on The Big Freeze held a five-length lead turning into the home straight. Alexander refused to panic, however, and while some jockeys may have attempted to quicklymake up the ground, she bided her time and was still a length down jumping the last. Their progress was relentless by then and Alexander got on top approaching the line to win by a length.Five of the 10-year-old's previous six victories over fences had come at Kelso and a return to the Borders track is on the cards.The opening first division of the JRF Chimney Specialist Handicap Hurdle was a real family affair as Nick Alexander saddled a 1-2 with Lucy on the winner, Goldtrek (7-1), and her younger brother, Kit, a student at Durham University, on runner-up King Brex.

Contextual targeting label:

Non Football Sports

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Racing: Alexander aiming to pilot Red Tanber to fifth Musselburgh win

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED