16:55 Kelso

Sunday 7 October 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:2516:5517:25

Queens Head Hotel Kelso Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 5m 24.60s

Romulus Du Donjon¹³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 104

5/2

Disappointing in the main since switched to fences including when beaten 25L over an extended 2m7f on good ground here in May. Capable of better following a break.

Form: 5323-45

Cool Valley²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: D R Fox| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 100

5/1

Returned to form when finishing runner-up over in a handicap chase over an extended 1m7f at Hexham (good) last time out. Interesting if repeating that effort.

Form: 444662

Bocasien Desbois¹⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 96WS

9/2

Failed to complete in two starts since finishing runner-up over C&D on good going in May. Worth a check in the market having had wind surgery since pulling up at Hexham (2m4f, good) in June.

Form: 261-2UP

Swinton Diamond⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 92

9/4

Placed over hurdles at Cartmel in July last year but struggled in three subsequent starts including on chase debut in July. Making his return from a break.

Form: 8/12-554

Falcos^t,v²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 71

12/1

Fair fourth over an extended 1m7f at Hexham (good) in a first time visor (retained) last time out. Seeking a first victory at the 16th time of asking.

Form: 7-93554

King Golan^b,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 70

9/1

Well held in three starts since finishing 11L third over 2m4f at Uttoxeter (good) in July. Drop in grade is in his favour.

Form: 573544

Knocklayde¹³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 69

25/1

Sole success from 14 starts came in a heavy ground three runner bumper at Hexham in April 2016. Others hold stronger claims.

Form: PPP6-08

Non-Runners

Sulamani The Late²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: R Menzies J: Non Runner

Gentleman James²⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Swinton Diamond (9/4), Romulus Du Donjon (5/2), Sulamani The Late (5/2), Bocasien Desbois (9/2), Cool Valley (5/1), King Golan (9/1), Gentleman James (10/1), Falcos (12/1), Knocklayde (25/1)

Point-to-point winner COOL VALLEY can register a first victory under Rules in this novices' handicap chase. The selection ran well when finishing runner-up last time out and can go one better at the chief expense of top weight Romulus Du Donjon who is returning from a break while third place can go to Gentleman James who is making his chase debut in this contest.