18:00 Kelso

Wednesday 20 September 2017

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

Belhaven Saltire Lager Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 4m 10.8s

Oliver's Gold²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 125| D

5/1

Cartmel winner in May from a 2lb lower mark (soft) who has had the misfortune to clash with the improving Wisty in a couple of subsequent attempts back at the Lakes venue more latterly. Claims, but high in the weights.

Form: 1-P1523

Vengeur De Guye^t¹¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123| CD

9/1

C&D winner (February 2015) and generally a solid performer at this track, twice a runner up from marks similar to this one. Probably better with some cut, and ended last season beaten 20+L (third) by Oliver's Gold at Cartmel.

Form: 20222-3

Nicolas Chauvin^h²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R Johnson| T: James Moffatt| OR: 122| D

6/1

Formerly with Nicky Henderson (sold for £8,500 in May), and has gradually strengthened over the summer at Cartmel. Closely matched with Oliver's Gold based on recent efforts, and just in front of that rival when no match for Wisty latest (2m1½f).

Form: 22-4542

Fantasy King^t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: James Moffatt| OR: 113| D

20/1

Cartmel specialist with both chasing victories coming over 2m1½f in the Lakes. However, not so effective there this summer, and whilst this has resulted in a fast declining mark, the suspicion is that age is beginning to take its toll.

Form: F-65465

Martiloo^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 110

5/2

Took her time to find her form after switching from France, but firmly on the up over the summer months. A smooth travelling, decisive 8L scorer at Perth (2m good to soft) in August, so a subsequent 10lb rise looks justified.

Form: 0/P-2321

Indian Voyage^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 110| CD

7/1

Has found himself outclassed in better races for some considerable time now and he should be becoming very well treated from his current mark given his past form. C&D winner (November 2015), but a poor Market Rasen effort needs to be overcome.

Form: 85-4465

Sudski Star^b,t¹¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 110| CD

13/2

Never the easiest to predict, but he emerged from a lengthy break in fair order at the turn of the year, going on to win twice over hurdles at this track in spring (2m-2m2f). Blinkers helped initially, but now heads back over fences needing more.

Form: P351-16

Muwalla^t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 107| D

15/2

The model of consistency since mid summer, hitting the frame with regularity, and winning over 2m1f (good) at Market Rasen in July. However, the handicapper possibly just has his measure now from this mark no matter how admirable his resolution.

Form: 212323

Forecasts

Martiloo (5/2), Oliver's Gold (5/1), Nicolas Chauvin (6/1), Sudski Star (13/2), Indian Voyage (7/1), Muwalla (15/2), Vengeur De Guye (9/1), Fantasy King (20/1)

A very difficult puzzle to solve, and without appearing to sit on the fence, it really would be no major surprise if any of the runners proved capable of taking the prize. On one level, Cartmel form appears to hold the key, with obvious players Oliver's Gold, Vengeur De Guye and Nicolas Chauvin all fairly similarly matched old adversaries. However, a chance can be taken on the slow developing mare MARTILOO. She is 10lb higher than when winning at Perth, but that rise looks justified given the relative ease of that success, and this smooth travelling mare might conceivably have more improvement to come.