Ivan Straker Memorial Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 32.75s

Seldom Inn^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: A M Thomson| OR: 145| BF| CD

8/1

Boasts a stellar career record at this track (1,2,1,1,2,2) with the bulk of those gains coming over fences. 2017 Premier Chase winner who warmed up for this with an excellent second over hurdles latest, but not ideally suited by the race conditions.

Form: 12P-532

Shantou Flyer^p,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: R Hobson| OR: 153| D

10/11

Clear top-rated of this quartet over fences (153), and this trainer has revived his fortunes with the application of cheek-pieces. No match for Frodon on his latest start at Cheltenham (2m5f), but faces nothing of that calibre here, and stays 3m.

Form: P-5PP22

Charmix^b1³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: G Elliott| OR: 139

33/1

A talented performer once upon a time for Harry Fry, but yet to fully convince over fences, and has shown little in four starts in Ireland for his current trainer. Needs first time blinkers to have a positive effect.

Form: 2-704U8

Big River^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 140| CD

6/4

Has always appeared to be a chaser in the making despite a productive spell in bumpers/novice/handicap hurdles. In very deep since winning by 11L over C&D in October (good), he's also up against it here, but pleasingly is 1,1,2,1,1 at this track.

Form: 521-1P3

Forecasts

Shantou Flyer (10/11), Big River (6/4), Seldom Inn (8/1), Charmix (33/1)

SHANTOU FLYER is very much best suited by the race conditions, and despite being top-rated over fences (153), 11lb above Seldom Inn (142), he receives 4lb from that Kelso loving rival. His new trainer Richard Hobson has sparked a revival with the application of cheek-pieces, and a reproduction of either of his latest couple of efforts at Cheltenham (2m5f) will be more than good enough to take this race. Charmix comes here out of form following the abandonment of Ayr on Tuesday, whilst Big River lacks much in the way of experience over fences, but should be suited by making a return to Kelso (C&D winner).