William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 5m 20.80s

Beggar's Wishes^b,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 146

9/1

Has found life tough since beating Dolos in a 2m5f Intermediate Chase at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) in October. The handicapper is now gradually showing some leniency and he finished off his race well (fifth) at Chepstow latest.

Form: 1-11495

Mount Mews³⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 139| C

9/4

Smart bumper/novice hurdler who was 3-3 at Kelso (2m-2m2f) for the much missed Malcolm Jefferson; didn't progress over fences (in competitive races) after a pleasing first effort; stamina reserves also an unknown on first start for Donald McCain.

Form: 361230-

Dimple¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 123| C

9/4

Revitalised by Sandy Thomson (2-2) and bolted up over hurdles here (2m6f+, good) last month; 16lb higher than his last winning mark over fences - to the irk of his owner David Armstrong but jumps impeccably and clearly in rude health.

Form: P/3P5-11

Eureu Du Boulay^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 127| BF

7/4

Front-runner who is likely to face competition for the lead from the in-form Dimple; denied a hat-trick when beaten 4L by Manwell at Catterick (2m3f+, good) on New Years Day; now 2lb higher; up in trip and grade.

Form: P45112

Non-Runners

Rock On Fruity²²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Eureu Du Boulay (7/4), Dimple (9/4), Mount Mews (9/4), Rock On Fruity (9/2), Beggar's Wishes (9/1)

An intriguing race in which you'd be reluctant to definitively rule out any of the five runners. However, Kelso is often all about rhythm so that is likely to present some issues for Beggar's Wishes. Both Rock On Fruity and Eureu Du Boulay are steadily climbing the weights whilst Mount Mews (3-3 at Kelso) debuts for Donald McCain. However, despite public comment from owner David Armstrong about a rapidly rising handicap mark, the assessor was left with little option but to take evasive action with regards DIMPLE. This upwardly mobile 8yo steps up in grade as a result but with conditions forecast ideal, he can boss this race from the outset.