17:45 Kelso

Wednesday 18 September 2019

All15:4016:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

IJF & MS Society Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:47 | Winning time: 4m 6.7s

Tidal Watch¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132| D

11/2

Thriving this year and would have opened his chasing account but for crashing out at the last on his most recent start (well in control at the time). Remains open to further progress even of a lofty mark such as this; excellent 3lb claimer aboard.

Form: 41-133F

Theflyingportrait^t⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J Candlish| OR: 130| BF| CD

4/1

Admirable sort; 1133 at Kelso with the two wins coming back-to-back in a golden 2016 spell. Not quite at his best since producing a career-best at Wetherby late last year off a 5lb higher mark, ran poorly when last seen; hard to write off.

Form: 074-325

Raven's Tower⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 127

7/1

Has a rather in-and-out profile; got back on track at Perth in July off a reduced mark back over fences but failed to repeat that effort last time. Back from a break, has won off this mark but consistency issues remain, others appeal more.

Form: 383-724

Ardera Cross^p⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 125| D

9/1

Proved a bargain buy for this yard from Dan Skelton; picked up four races over hurdles and fences (actually looked an improved performer). Winning run (had completed a hat-trick) came to an end last time over hurdles; more needed back over fences.

Form: 541114

Ballyvic Boru¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 124| BF| CD

3/1

Only chasing success came over C&D (9lb lower mark); been without a win since despite some respectable efforts of late including when last seen at Cartmel (late mistakes proved costly). May need this off a mark that had crept up without a win.

Form: 205-224

Effet Special^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120

28/1

Fair chaser in France for Guy Cherel (form mostly on soft/heavy ground); yet to make an impact in GB. Did too much on his first start, fell at the last on his latest start back over hurdles (may have needed the run); returns to fences (best watched).

Form: 23/F13-F

Sporting Press^h¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117| BF| CD

5/1

C&D winner when successful on his second chase start following up a debut win when he looked a natural. Found his excellent start to his chasing career coming to an end when last seen (well beaten favourite); still on a good mark if bouncing back.

Form: 246113-

Beautiful Ben^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 111| D

12/1

Fair hurdler/chaser in Ireland who showed the benefit of two hurdles starts when scoring over 2m at Perth in July returned to fences. Tried in headgear (retained) last two starts when failing to build on his win; tougher task that usual.

Form: 6/4713B

Forecasts

Ballyvic Boru (3/1), Theflyingportrait (4/1), Sporting Press (5/1), Tidal Watch (11/2), Raven's Tower (7/1), Ardera Cross (9/1), Beautiful Ben (12/1), Effet Special (28/1)

All of this field have a chance of sorts with TIDAL WATCH worthy of being given a chance to make up for his last fence fall at Newton Abbot last time when he had the race well under control having travelled and jumped well. This will be a tough enough test especially off a 7lb higher mark but he does look a progressive sort. All of the C&D winners in the line-up reappear off a break with Theflyingportrait much respected due to his form figures here although Sporting Press is more intriguing if he can match the form he showed in his first two chase starts. Ardera Cross has mixed and hurdles/fences well all summer but appears held by the handicapper now.