Musselburgh's Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend

In the £80,000 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase on Saturday (2.20pm), last year’s impressive winner, Nicky Richards-trained The Kalooki Kid, bids to retain his crown.

“He’s a good travelling, solid jumping horse and he did well to win last year for such an inexperienced horse over fences,” Richards said. “His owners are from Kirkcaldy and they were over the moon so here’s hoping we can give them something to celebrate again.” 

Also competing again for the 2m 4f feature are the Lucinda Russell trained Traprain Law, third twelve months ago, and who is fresh off a win at Wetherby at Christmas.

Top-weight JPR One, a close second at Cheltenham in November for Joe Tizzard, who has entries in the Queen Mother Champion Chase or Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham has a BHA mark of 156, making the Dorset raider the highest-rated horse appearing over the two days.

The last two winners are among a competitive line-up for the £40,000 bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (1.43pm). In 2025 Welsh Charger, trained  by Alistair Ralph, was chased home in second place by Afadil, who had landed the previous year’s renewal having also taken the Scottish Triumph Hurdle in 2023 for 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls. 

The Christian Williams trained  Williethebuilder, is looking to make it three wins in a row after two victories at Kempton post Christmas.

Paul Nicholls has a fine record in the £50,000 Listed bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (1.10pm) and Falls Of Acharn, winner over course and distance by a nose on New Year’s Day, flies the flag for him this time.

Lord, about to make his third appearance out of the Donald McCain stable, made all in style in similar company at Aintree in December, which was his fourth win in just six starts over hurdles.

Sunday’s meeting  sees Magna Sam, another runner trained in Shropshire by Alistair Ralph, bids for a third win in the £60,000 bet365 Edinburgh National. Twelve months ago he obliged at 10/1 having landed the 2023 renewal at the even more rewarding odds of 22/1.

Inis Oirr, now jointly-trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, made all the running to scoop the prize by 21-lengths in 2023.

Top-weight is Rock My Way, eighth in the Welsh National between Christmas and New Year, while Sandy Thomson’s Grozni runs for the first time since his memorable Scottish Borders National victory at Kelso in early December.  

Musselburgh Racecourse director, Bill Farnsworth, is delighted with the quality of entries over the East Lothian track’s premier jumps meeting of the season.

He said: “This weekend is indeed the pinnacle of our winter season and the standard of horses competing over Saturday and Sunday reinforces the reputation of the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend as a serious stepping stone for contenders out to prove their worth at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.

“The track is in excellent condition and for once the meeting does not clash with a Six Nations fixture so we hope that might boost attendance with those looking for an alternative live sporting option over the weekend.”