Racing preview - New Year's Day in partnership with Virgin Bet

Lucinda Russell aims to get 2026 off to a flyer with Jet To Vegas in the £50,000 feature race at sold-out Musselburgh, which is the largest sporting event New Year’s Day sporting event in Scotland.

No ‘walk up’ tickets will be available as the near 7,000 capacity has been reached for a six-race card boasting over £126,000 in prize money. 

After close seconds in his first runs over fences, Jet To Vegas, owned by Jimmy Fyffe, tackles handicap company for the first time in the Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase.

“Along with Derryhassen Paddy, he was one of our highest-rated hurdlers that went chasing this season,” said Russell, who shares the licence with Michael Scudamore. “He got a mark of 137 after winning the Grade 2 Premier Hurdle at Kelso and we think he has the potential to climb ever higher over fences - he’s one to get really excited about.”

In a wide-open 2m 4f contest, Nicky Richards’ The Kalooki Kid and Insurrection, trained by 14-time champion handler Paul Nicholls, rate the main dangers.

The Fyffe colours are also carried by Patrick Neville-trained Moonbow in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle

The Yorkshire raider was just pipped off the same mark at Aintree two months ago and his Tayside owner will fancy him to go one better as he takes a slight drop in class.

Paul Nicholls-trained Afadil, who has won on two of his four previous visits to the East Lothian venue, is worth a second look in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Hurdle.

His victories came in the 2023 Scottish Triumph Hurdle and in the Scottish County Hurdle a year later.

For more information contact Gordon Brown on 07850 258063 for Scottish Racing.