15:55 Kelso

Wednesday 8 May 2019

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:30

Bedmax Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 7m 23.10s

Alto Esqua¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: K J Brouder⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 114

13/2

Lucky winner of a 2m1f Beginners Chase at Listowel (heavy) in September 2017; 0-9 over fences since, unseating his rider on a couple of occasions; 123-rated over hurdles, and this opposition isn't overly taxing; likely player.

Form: 9/PU43U-

The Wicket Chicken^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 113

2/1

Still without a win over fences (0-8), but is to her credit continually knocking at the door; made mistakes when finishing a clear second best (beaten 6L) to Goodnight Charlie at Cheltenham (3m2f, good) three weeks ago.

Form: 342432-

Samtu^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 105

22/1

Made a winning chasing debut at Musselburgh (3m, good) in February before falling heavily on his next start there a couple of weeks later; essentially disappointing since; one to be wary of at present.

Form: 271F5P-

Lowanbehold¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 100| C

4/1

Three-time course winner who is a dour stayer; slowly edging down the weights and quite possibly in decline at the grand old age of 12, albeit was only beaten ½L by today's rival So Satisfied at Musselburgh (3m, good) in late February.

Form: 369233-

So Satisfied^p²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 100

15/2

Just 1lb higher than when beating today's rival Lowanbehold by ½L at Musselburgh (3m, good) in February; patchy form over fences since; could be involved, but on balance isn't really a horse to trust implicitly.

Form: 72U14P-

Pretty Miss Mahler⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: M Todhunter| OR: 100

9/2

Below her very best at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) when last in competitive action, but reasonably solid immediately prior; respected on the basis of her December Wetherby win (3m, good to soft) which came from just a 1lb lower mark.

Form: 531534-

Arizona Bound^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 93

7/1

Runner up at Hexham (3m, heavy) in March, but disappointing twice since, including over hurdles at Perth (jumped poorly and never in the hunt); must bounce back quickly; good ground suits best.

Form: 634250-

Non-Runners

River Of Intrigue³⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: J G M O'Shea J: Miss Brodie Hampson

Forecasts

The Wicket Chicken (2/1), Lowanbehold (4/1), River Of Intrigue (4/1), Pretty Miss Mahler (9/2), Alto Esqua (13/2), Arizona Bound (7/1), So Satisfied (15/2), Samtu (22/1)

An open looking contest which lacks a real standout contender. The Irish raider ALTO ESQUA hasn't proved to be the most reliable over fences (has unseated on a couple of occasions) but merits respect against this level of opposition based upon his peak hurdles form. The predicted sedate pace of a 3m3f chase might serve to lessen the strain on his fencing, so he rates as the tentative advice. On pure handicapping terms alone, both So Satisfied and Pretty Miss Mahler should be positively involved if returning to their very best, whilst the Neil Mulholland-trained The Wicket Chicken also has a shout.