Progressive Tommy's Oscar seeks hat-trick for in-form Hamilton team

Saturday: 2.10 Musselburgh
Betway Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Hogmanay celebrations might have been muted with this fixture staged behind closed doors, but permit-holders Ann and Ian Hamilton will be aiming to start the new year with a bang with Tommy's Oscar.

There has been plenty to celebrate for the Northumberland cattle and sheep farmers. From a small team of horses they have managed seven wins from 20 runners (35 per cent strike-rate) this season following on from 12-37 (32 per cent) in 2020-21.

Progressive hurdler Tommy's Oscar has played his part in those figures and carries top weight of 11st 12lb in his bid for a hat-trick after wins at Doncaster and Haydock.

He won by ten lengths at Haydock on Betfair Chase day, then at Doncaster was forced to battle hard for a three-quarters of a length success over Geromino, who runs in the 1.40 on this card.

With Danny McMenamin injured and Brian Hughes riding Fiveandtwenty for Donald McCain, who also saddles last season's winner Blakeney Point, conditional Tom Midgley's 7lb claim will ease some of the weight burden.

"He seems to like Musselburgh, so we decided to go, but it's a good race," said Ann Hamilton.

"He had to work hard at Doncaster and he's on an ultra-high mark, and we're taking 7lb off him. Tom hasn't ridden him before but he's won twice on Bavington Bob for us and I hope he gets on with him because this is a different kettle of fish."

Christopher Wood finished 21 lengths behind Tommy's Oscar at Haydock on his last start after being set a tall order for his comeback run in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, where he was fourth of six.

However, the seven-year-old has made the most of his long journeys to Musselburgh from Paul Nicholls' Somerset base by winning on both his previous visits.

"He's won twice at Musselburgh and likes the track," said Nicholls. "He's dropped a few pounds from his last run and Angus [Cheleda] gets on well with him. He'll be fine on the ground up there."

First Impression also returns to the course having unseated mid-race 26 days ago as the 5-4 favourite. Before that, the John Quinn-trained five-year-old was a smooth winner at Wetherby.

"We're happy with him. He's in good nick and training well, and I'm expecting him to run well," said Quinn. "He's schooled fine since unseating there last time and he won well at Wetherby before that."

More New Year's Day race previews:

1.25 Cheltenham: why L'Homme Presse will need to answer some fresh questions to win the Dipper

1.40 Musselburgh: 'He's a bit of an enigma' – Olly Murphy unsure what to expect from Strong Glance

2.00 Cheltenham: why Alnadam's delayed Cheltenham raid might prove to be beautifully timed

2.20 Tramore: 'All the roads lead to Cheltenham' – Al Boum Photo poised for four-timer

2.35 Cheltenham: 'He's in the form of his life' – can Malzard strike again on Kansas City Chief?

2.40 Fairyhouse: festival clues galore as top mares Put The Kettle On, Elimay and Mount Ida clash

3.10 Cheltenham: 'He's always good fresh' – Relkeel Hurdle trainer quotes and big-race insight

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