15:20 Kelso

Sunday 6 December 2020

All11:5512:2513:0013:3214:0214:4515:20

Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 9m 4.58s

Bob Mahler^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 140

16/1

Ended last season on the up, landing Edinburgh National at Musselburgh, but pulled up both starts this term, having breathing op before latest one at Haydock. Has lot to prove now.

Form: 3213-PP

Iwilldoit³⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 133| C

17/2

Made fine start over fences with impressive win in 22f handicap chase here 31 days ago, jumping really well. Has more to offer chasing but yet to run beyond 25f so stamina has to be taken on trust.

Form: 1612/91-

Just Your Type^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133

13/2

Runner-up in this contest 12 months and arrives this time on back of last-gasp win in 26f Uttoxeter handicap 22 days ago. Back up 5 lb but longer trip will suit so he must enter calculations again.

Form: 22PP-51

Bigirononhiship²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 132| CD

4/1

Signed off for last term with convincing win in this event and set himself up well for a repeat bid with second in 3m Ayr handicap last month. Off 10 lb higher this time but still holds good claims.

Form: 5F5/11-2

Coole Hall^b1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: R Dobbin| OR: 126| BF| C

10/1

Unreliable sort who turned in below-par fifth over hurdles here 29 days ago. Back chasing now in blinkers for his handicap bow but others are preferred.

Form: 2223-75

Classic Escape^p²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 122

11/1

Fair hurdle winner in Ireland who has found his form now for new yard, easily taking 3m handicap chase at Southwell 23 days ago. 10 lb rise demands more though and he's unproven at marathon trips.

Form: 4-23U21

Gangster²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| OR: 121

66/1

Unreliable staying chaser who ran no sort of race retried in headgear when pulled up at Fontwell 21 days ago. Cheekpieces quickly dispensed with but still easily opposed.

Form: 1P-528P

Duc De Grissay⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 118| C

5/2

Has long looked like he'd excel in staying chases and landed 3m novice here before resuming with eye-catching fourth at Sedgefield (29f), staying on well late. Can race off 1 lb lower so big player.

Form: 43431-4

One Of Us^b1⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Williams| OR: 116

18/1

Ended last term under a cloud and pulled up in 26f handicap chase at Fontwell on return. Blinkers go on now but he's hard to make a case for.

Form: 1/510P-P

Dino Boy³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 110

11/1

Fairly useful 3m novice chaser for Nigel Twiston-Davies who looked rusty after 9 months off on yard debut in 26f Carlisle handicap, well held when all but falling 2 out and pulled up. No forlorn hope.

Form: 42132-P

Nakadam¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 107| C| D

16/1

Veteran usually gives his running in staying handicap chases and belied 12-month absence with win in 32f Hexham handicap on return. Up 4 lb and also 7 lb out of the handicap so faces uphill task now.

Form: 8P3/F4-1

Non-Runners

Looking Well²⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 11

T: N G Richards J: R D Day

Red Giant¹⁶

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: J Candlish J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Duc De Grissay (5/2), Bigirononhiship (4/1), Just Your Type (13/2), Red Giant (13/2), Iwilldoit (17/2), Looking Well (10/1), Coole Hall (10/1), Dino Boy (11/1), Classic Escape (11/1), Nakadam (16/1), Bob Mahler (16/1), One Of Us (18/1), Gangster (66/1)

A cracking renewal of the Borders National and Sandy Thomson is taken to work the oracle once again with unexposed chaser DUC DE GRISSAY who made an eye-catching return when fourth in the Durham National at Sedgefield and is expected to take a big step forward here. Last year's winner Bigirononhiship is sure to make a stout defence of his crown and rejuvenated Red Giant can also have a big say.