13:15 Kelso

Sunday 8 December 2019

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:15

Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 9m 19.49s

Big River^p1,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 137| C

10/1

Both the chasing wins of this useful handicap chaser have taken place around here over shorter trips something that should be borne in mind. Produced some meritorious efforts in decent staying handicaps (poor last time); new headgear applied.

Form: 2/F645-P

Just Your Type¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R T Dunne| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134

15/2

Some of his staying chase form borders on useful although he has in the past had problems with his jumping (fallen twice). Finally got off the mark in a match at Hexham (3m, heavy) last time (only rival amiss); test should suit if jumping holds up.

Form: 45F6F-1

Dawson City²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: P Gundry| OR: 134

14/1

Out-and-out stayer who has twice won the Devon version of the National over 3m7f the last time off a 3lb lower mark. Lightly-raced since that last win and well below form on his reappearance at Cheltenham (unsuited by cross-country track).

Form: 57154-7

Brian Boranha⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P D Niven| OR: 132| BF

20/1

Three-time winning chaser with all those victories coming in staying contests the Durham National usually seeing him to good effect (winner in 2018), Tried to repeat his 2018 victory this year without a prep run; ran with credit, test should suit.

Form: 1830-44

Terry The Fish^v1⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131

12/1

Improved last time over fences at Wincanton looking a different sort to the one who was well held the time before. Took a while to get going (looked quirky) but matched his best over hurdles, needs to progress again up 6lb, first-time visor applied.

Form: 3P22-81

No Hassle Hoff^p¹³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130| BF

5/1

One of two that the yard run in this (makes his stable debut) having shown some decent form over hurdles but proved expensive to follow over fences when with Dan Skelton. Yard have turned around this sort before and he's not easily dismissed.

Form: 92-5233

Bafana Blue^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 130

11/1

Rejuvenated of late looking a far different sort to one that previously had proved hard to trust. Already won five staying chases this year rising through the handicap to sit on a new career-high here; ought to stay this trip, hard to ignore.

Form: 4-12111

Weststreet³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁵⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 124| D

12/1

Ended last season in good style taking two real stamina test including the Highland National at Perth off a 5lb lower mark. Would have needed the outing at Carlisle last time (3m2f); likely to be much nearer his winning form this time around.

Form: 38311-5

Anteros^p,t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 123

18/1

Hit a purple-patch over fences earlier in the year making use of a much-reduced mark to clinch a hat-trick with all his wins coming under today's rider. Well below form when trying to complete a four-timer back over hurdles; still on a decent mark.

Form: 371118

Bigirononhiship²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122

12/1

Return to form had a lot to do with the resurgence of his yard and the fact that he has a good record fresh having dropped to a career-low mark. All of those factors contributed to a narrow Wetherby win (3n, heavy); not certain to build on that run.

Form: 315/F5-1

Caventara^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115| C

7/2

Novice hurdle winner for whom the penny took a while to drop over fences finally doing so after a break of eight months off a much reduced mark over 2m7f here last month. Looked more professional than before under today's rider; trip should suit.

Form: 1/P65B-1

Achill Road Boy^b²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 114| C

33/1

Fair handicap chaser although he often loses his place in races with his jumping more miss than hit on occasions. First run over fences since May (fell at last) having run over hurdles last twice; blinkers refitted, would need to improve take this.

Form: 22U-F65

Rightback Atya^p⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: T Scudamore| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 112

66/1

Returns to fences for the first time since March although his record of 1-15 over the larger obstacles is hardly an inspiring one. Rather in-and-out over hurdles of late; faces a stiff task of this mark with his ability to stay looking questionable.

Form: 92-PU27

Total Assets¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: Callum Bewley| T: S Waugh| OR: 112| C| D

12/1

Four-time course winner over hurdles/fences; finished fourth in this race last year off a 4lb higher mark; will be staying on when a few of these have had enough. Tuned up for this with a sound third at Hexham (4m) coming as usual from off the pace.

Form: 455-333

Non-Runners

Aaron Lad²²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Charlie Hammond

Lord Getaway²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: H J Evans J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Caventara (7/2), No Hassle Hoff (5/1), Just Your Type (15/2), Big River (10/1), Lord Getaway (10/1), Bafana Blue (11/1), Bigirononhiship (12/1), Total Assets (12/1), Terry The Fish (12/1), Weststreet (12/1), Dawson City (14/1), Anteros (18/1), Brian Boranha (20/1), Aaron Lad (20/1), Achill Road Boy (33/1), Rightback Atya (66/1)

As usual a competitive and fascinating renewal of this gruelling 4m test with the first port of call being the Sandy Thomson yard who have won the contest for the last four years. Caventara is their representative this year and he was an impressive 10L winner here last time and he looks the sort to thrive for this test. Richard Newland is no stranger to National success and he saddles two runners with No Hassle Hoff making his debut the pick while doughty stayers like Total Assets and Brian Boranha can’t be left out of the picture. Big River has the class to win this but his jumping can prove a question mark so it’s the rejuvenated BAFANA BLUE who gets the vote to continue his upward path.