Persimmon Homes Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 38.61s

Vengeur De Guye^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| CD

9/2

Notched his first success since 2015 when scoring by 1L off this mark at Ayr in October (2m+ soft). A mixed bag overall over C&D previously, but competitive on his day, as shown when 3L second to Morning Royalty in April 2017 (soft).

Form: 2-36146

Uno Valoroso³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 110| CD

5/2

A C&D winner (November 2014), this bold prominent racer has added a further four chasing successes to his CV since then. Best at around 2m with cut, he's a safe enough fencer in the main (but can make an odd error on occasions).

Form: PUP-512

Trust Thomas¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 110| D

5/1

A hunting career beckoned before an improved effort over C&D in November (third) and he struck next time at Musselburgh when scoring by a neck (2m good). Beaten off higher marks since and doesn't always deliver in heat of the battle (off bridle).

Form: P-P3153

Whitsundays^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109| C

6/4

A winner on his sole previous visit to Kelso (2m5f+ good), he has remained consistent off this revised mark in three subsequent starts. Beaten 2L by Uno Valoroso at Bangor (penultimate start), so not much to choose between that pair.

Form: 211-322

Las Tunas²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: R P McLernon| T: R M Smith| OR: 97| D

12/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark to win at Ayr in February (2m soft); beating Casual Cavalier and shaped well enough thereafter. Not shown all that much promise in two starts this term, and modest on both previous attempts over C&D.

Form: 13P2-8P

Forecasts

Whitsundays (6/4), Uno Valoroso (5/2), Vengeur De Guye (9/2), Trust Thomas (5/1), Las Tunas (12/1)

A small field, but once more, a standout selection is tricky to fathom. Uno Valoroso and Whitsundays locked horns at Bangor in December, and there's little to choose between the pair based upon that evidence. However, the sneaking suspicion is that the Mark Walford trained ten-year-old will once more get the better of the battle; particularly if allowed to bowl along in front (seems to suit best) at this sharp track. However, a marginal preference is for VENGEUR DE GUYE. Consistency isn't his forte, but he has a reasonable record over C&D from similar (including higher) marks, and this looks a fair opportunity in which to strike.