13:59 Kelso

Saturday 24 October 2020

All12:5013:2513:5914:3315:0815:4316:1816:53

Clifford & Martin Firth Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 6m 10.3s

Illuminated Beauty¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 105

8/1

Much improved on second chase start when third of 8 at Uttoxeter in August. Has shaped as if still in form subsequently and drops back down in grade.

Form: 2/P-P337

Darius Des Sources^p²³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant| OR: 104

14/1

Winning Irish pointer who upped his game to open his account over hurdles at Newcastle 7 months ago. Returns on a 7 lb higher mark but likely to take to new discipline.

Form: 6/PP331-

Definite Wisdom²²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 102

10/1

Made a positive start to chasing last season, finishing second at Wetherby before going one better at Musselburgh. Tame effort on final outing but could bounce back on return.

Form: 47/821P-

Chanting Hill²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 100

20/1

Point winner who went backwards from a mildly encouraging hurdling debut last season but could get back on the right path now freshened up and switched to chasing.

Form: 1/44P-

Don't Need To Know^t1⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: R M Smith| OR: 99

11/1

Ex-pointer who has shown only modest form under Rules but shaped better than the result (close to strong pace) when sixth on handicap hurdle debut at Carlisle 9 days ago. Not one to write off.

Form: PB3-546

Road Warrior^p,t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 97

11/2

Slipped in the weights last season and, having undergone wind surgery, returned with a splendid second under a positive ride at Sedgefield 6 days ago. Big claims if this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 0U6P6-2

Begoodtoyourself^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: C N Kellett| OR: 94

20/1

Point winner who was in the process of leaving hurdling form behind when falling 2 out in a handicap at Sedgefield on chasing debut, looking sure to be placed. Warrants respect with that in mind.

Form: F1P4-6F

Burlington Bert^t⁹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 91

80/1

Modest hurdler who shaped as if retaining ability back from a long absence when fourth in a handicap at Perth 3 months ago. Needs to improve for a switch to chasing, though.

Form: 37545/4

Tekiblue de L'Orme²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 90

3/1

Improved on his last two starts, winning a handicap hurdle at Carlisle and a good second in novice handicap at Sedgefield 14 months later on chasing debut. Seems to need time between races, though.

Form: 6803/1-2

Grumpy Boots²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 85

18/1

Little solid form, beaten a good way on completed starts in handicap chases this season, so others make more appeal.

Form: 673-46P

Flaming Glory²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: B S Hughes| T: K Scott| OR: 82

4/1

Maiden who hit the frame a few times over hurdles last winter and made a pleasing start to his chasing career when third in handicap at Hexham 22 days ago. Needs to build on that.

Form: P3463-3

Vintage Glen^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 81

11/1

Lightly raced for age and remains with little form but has offered a bit of promise since switched to handicaps over hurdles. Bred to make a chaser, so not totally dismissed.

Form: 900/68-4

Stormy Reception²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: C Grant| OR: 74

100/1

Poor maiden hurdler who has fared no better over fences and faces another struggle from out of the weights.

Form: 3P555-P

Forecasts

Tekiblue de L'Orme (3/1), Flaming Glory (4/1), Road Warrior (11/2), Illuminated Beauty (8/1), Definite Wisdom (10/1), Don't Need To Know (11/1), Vintage Glen (11/1), Darius Des Sources (14/1), Grumpy Boots (18/1), Chanting Hill (20/1), Begoodtoyourself (20/1), Burlington Bert (80/1), Stormy Reception (100/1)

ILLUMINATED BEAUTY hasn't quite kicked on from an encouraging third at Uttoxeter in August but she's shaped as if still in form and could have too much class for her rivals dropped into this weaker contest than previously. Road Warrior produced a big effort on his reappearance and is an obvious player if able to reproduce it, while several others have a chance in an open race.