14:35 Kelso

Saturday 11 November 2017

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Mayfield Restaurant Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 14.0s

Full Shift¹⁸⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: B Haslam| OR: 127

16/1

Useful chaser who has not won for almost two years, but showed his capabilities when beaten just over 1L from 2lb higher at Kempton in February. Only seen twice since and although well held over C&D last time, he could do much better here.

Form: P6023-4

Fair Loch²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 125| D

8/1

Ran well for a long way on his reappearance at Wetherby (1m7f, good) last month before being beaten 13½L. Dropped 2lb going into this and has already shown that he can be very competitive from this mark. Looks booked for a good run.

Form: 4342-P4

Vengeur De Guye^t¹²

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

5/1

Has been on a lengthy losing run before coming good at Ayr (2m½f, soft) last time from 3lb lower. Previous efforts from this mark have proved abortive, although he should remain competitive, but needs more to follow-up.

Form: 222-361

Azert De Coeur²²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 112| D

5/1

Perhaps didn't make the progress anticipated with Venetia Williams, though he did sluice up at Chepstow for her this time last year. Not able to go on from there, however and market may be best guide on first run for new trainer.

Form: P15U2P-

Tomorrow's Legend⁵⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: P Holmes| OR: 110

11/1

Showed improved form in his last two runs, winning a novices' chase (2m, good to soft) at Carlisle and being beaten just 1L at Perth next time from 5lb higher. Well treated if full fit first time back after 19 months off and market check suggested.

Form: 422612/

Trust Thomas²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 110| D

10/1

Won three out of four over fences in spring 2016, the last of them from 7lb higher. Handicapper then took control and form tailed off. Not much better on his recent return, but with that under his belt he can't be ruled out from this mark.

Form: 5543P-P

Chain Of Beacons^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 106

9/2

1-20, though that win came over a similar trip and on good at Newcastle in April from 7lb lower. Beaten just 2L here from this mark later that month and was again competitive on his return run at Sedgefield. Should be in the mix.

Form: 26123-3

Welcome Ben^p¹⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 105| CD

9/4

Showed improved form in the spring/summer, winning over C&D (good) and backing that up with two more at Perth. Held from today's mark when last seen in August, but well worth another try and should be thereabouts.

Form: 3P1-112

Forecasts

Welcome Ben (9/4), Chain Of Beacons (9/2), Vengeur De Guye (5/1), Azert De Coeur (5/1), Fair Loch (8/1), Trust Thomas (10/1), Tomorrow's Legend (11/1), Full Shift (16/1)

Welcome Ben has enjoyed a good year and he should again be on the premises here, though the handicapper might just have the edge for now. Chain Of Beacons is another with claims, while Trust Thomas could be the fly in the ointment from a handy mark if he is back on good terms with himself. Check the market regarding both Azert De Coeur and Tomorrow's Legend, while neither Venguer De Guye nor Full Shift can be ruled out. However, preference is for FAIR LOCH, who will strip fitter for his recent Wetherby return and today could be his day.