15:45 Kelso

Wednesday 9 May 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:15

Bedmax Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 6m 50.9s

Scotswell²³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 117| CD

8/1

Not won since April 2017 (C&D), and age will catch up with him eventually, but he's been a grand horse over many years. Conditions ideal for a bold front-running effort if the enthusiasm still burns brightly; race winner in 2016.

Form: 81/7-PP7

Amilliontimes^t¹⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 115| C

28/1

In good form when winning four on the spin between May and October 2016 culminating with a neck success over 2m5f at Carlisle (good-to-soft). Handicapper in charge since and has never won over this trip previously, but track/ground fine.

Form: 35/2644-

Cobajayisland¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 113

6/1

Back to his last winning mark (October 2016), and shaped with more encouragement latest, when finishing just under 12L third to Southwell specialist Ulis De Vassy (2m4f good). Third in this race in 2016 (beaten 5¾L).

Form: 421/PP3-

Shake It Up⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 112

5/1

Been with a few trainers, and was scoring for Richard Ford (debut) when a ready 10L winner at Cartmel in August (3m1½f good to soft). Didn't stay 4m at Hexham in November, and tackled a 2m jumpers' bumper latest.

Form: 3143-33

Classical Milano⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 109

16/1

Out of sorts since winning a 3m maiden hurdle at Hexham in April 2017 (good), and was pulled up on his chasing debut at Sedgefield in February.

Form: 841/P8-P

Golden Investment^p1,h,t⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109| C

6/1

3lb higher than when scoring at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) in November and ran well from slightly higher marks than this on his next two runs. Not so encouraging more recently, so cheek-pieces are added to the hood and tongue tie.

Form: 144-UF4

Pretty Miss Mahler²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: M Todhunter| OR: 100

4/1

Has plenty of stamina, and is seemingly ground versatile. Back from seven months off with a solid 3¼L second (jumped well) to subsequent winner Bennys Girl at Sedgefield last month (2m5f). Clear chance off the same mark today.

Form: 84133-2

Attention Please^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 99| D

11/1

Enjoyed a successful previous campaign winning three races (should've been four) between 3m-3m2f. Struggled slightly from this elevated mark, but quick ground on a flat track suits (solid Musselburgh performer).

Form: 11F13P-

Achill Road Boy²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: W Coltherd| OR: 98| BF| D

7/2

Possibly hindered by deep ground at Carlisle latest, having previously scored on good to soft ground (3m2f) on his penultimate start. Not the most reliable overall, but equally not impossibly handicapped either.

Form: 725614

Forecasts

Achill Road Boy (7/2), Pretty Miss Mahler (4/1), Shake It Up (5/1), Cobajayisland (6/1), Golden Investment (6/1), Scotswell (8/1), Attention Please (11/1), Classical Milano (16/1), Amilliontimes (28/1)

Scotswell thrives at Kelso, and assuming that the flame still burns brightly within has a chance of winning this contest for the second time in his career (2016 winner). Both Golden Investment and Achill Road Boy are also possible contenders from their respective marks, but equally aren't the most consistent of horses, with the former now sporting a plethora of aids (hood, cheek-pieces and tongue tie). Therefore, we'll chance the solid stayer PRETTY MISS MAHLER. She posted a perfectly respectable return to action at Sedgefield last month (behind subsequent Towcester winner Bennys Girl), so her chance is an obvious one from the same handicap mark (100).