14:40 Kelso
Monday 3 April 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40
Kelso Annual Members Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)
- 5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 7f 96y | Soft | 6 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 25.0s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Tough and thoroughly likeable gelding who thrived over hurdles from December 2015 when notching a four timer despite a 20lb+ rise in the weights. Has returned in similar form this winter over fences, beating stablemate Calivigny at Ayr in December (2m5f), and most recently another stablemate Buffalo Ballet (also at Ayr; 2m4f). Raised 4lb, and seems to stay well, so should be fine over this new trip at this track.
Made all, and seemed to have the race in the bag when being left alone in a similar contest over 2m5½F here last weekend. Races from the same mark over this longer trip, but with a jockey switch. Needs to prove his stamina, but likely to make a bold bid from the front with a 2,1 course record.
Plugged on over a marathon trip to be just over 4L third to Settledoutofcourt in tough conditions at Hexham in the middle of last month. Similar ground likely here, but this is a full 1m less around a much sharper track, so things could conceivably happen a shade too quickly. Twice a runner up here over hurdles.
Fell at the seventeenth fence in a marathon contest at Hexham last month (4m), but had been in fine shape prior winning twice at Carlisle (around 3m), and going down by just a head to Kilbree Chief at Ayr in February. Holds Sevenballs Of Fire on form, and likely to go well from a still reasonable and competitive mark (103).
Strong, handsome sort, and caught the eye in the prelims at Carlisle in October 2016 (fourth to Aintree My Dream in a 2m4f novices hurdle). Chasing always likely to be his game and a probable strong stayer, so one to watch closely (in the future) now switched to fences. Rider rode Marlee Massie to his two chasing successes.
In form hurdler in the spring of 2015, winning at Newcastle (for Nico De Boinville) in a 3m handicap in March 2015, but off for two years until returning at Hexham last month. He weakened quickly at the business end when pulled up behind Bescot Springs, and makes a belated chasing debut at the age of nine.
Forecasts
Ascot De Bruyere (9/4), Finaghy Ayr (11/4), Sevenballs Of Fire (10/3), Marlee Massie (17/2), Purple Harry (9/1), Broad Spectrum (9/1)
Recent course winner Ascot De Bruyere looks set to make another bold bid from the front, but much like Marlee Massie (who should stay), has to prove his stamina over this longer trip. FINAGHY AYR has no problems in that department, and despite a mid March fall over a marathon trip at Hexham remains a most progressive staying handicap chaser. He holds Sevenballs of Fire on form and looks set to take all of the beating, with fencing debutant Broad Spectrum the unexposed horse to keep an eye on for future engagements.
- Finaghy Ayr
- Marlee Massie
- Ascot De Bruyere
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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