15:25 Kelso

Wednesday 5 May 2021

All13:2013:5514:2514:5515:2516:0016:35

Strawmax Straw Pellet Bedding Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 11.50s

Dr Sanderson³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Reed| T: B Haslam| OR: 135| D

14/1

Scored at Plumpton in October but hasn't fired since, only fifth of 8 in handicap at Plumpton (19.8f, good) 30 days ago on final run for aul Nicholls. Lots to prove for his new handler.

Form: 25/1455-

Brelan D'As²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Haslam| OR: 134| D

33/1

66/1, first run since leaving Paul Nicholls when only sixteenth of 18 in handicap chase at Aintree (15.8f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Useful at his best, but he needs to get back on track.

Form: 8/P82P0-

Mint Gold^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 126| D

5/1

Gained second chasing win at Musselburgh in November and back on track when runner-up in handicap chase at Carlisle (15.9f, good) 32 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 312172-

Ballyvic Boru¹⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: B Ellison| OR: 125| CD

25/1

Scored at Wetherby in October and posted respectable third there on his only run since following month. C&D winner too so he's not totally dismissed after his break.

Form: 75/P313-

Cedar Hill¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124| CD

3/1

3-time C&D winner who was running well fell (still close up) when falling 4 out in 2m handicap chase at Ayr (good) 19 days ago. Has to be taken seriously off an unchanged mark.

Form: 14210F-

Ain't My Fault^p,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123

6/1

Opened his account over fences in 2m Hexham novice handicap in October and added second success at Newcastle in February. Fair seventh at Aintree last time so he's worth a second look.

Form: 316417-

Lake Takapuna^p¹²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| CD

14/1

C&D winner but he's unreliable and turned in modest fifth back here in December. Has gone well fresh but others still appeal more.

Form: 84/1825-

Baby King^t⁴⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: T R George| OR: 119

14/1

Winless since early 2019 but he arrives on back of good third of 6 in 2m handicap at Southwell (good to soft) 44 days ago. Not discounted nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 552/653-

Miss Amelia²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Walford| OR: 118| D

9/2

In excellent form over fences in 2021, scoring twice at Carlisle, and second of 6 in 2m handicap at Cheltenham (good) 20 days ago. Merits consideration once more.

Form: 121122-

Valence D'Aumont¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117| D

6/1

Made a winning return after 6 months off in 2m Sedgefield handicap 15 days ago, just holding on with front two well clear. Hit with 5 lb rise but needs considering for in-form yard.

Form: 64P1/21-

Non-Runners

Vengeur De Guye³⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 12

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: P W Wadge

Forecasts

Cedar Hill (3/1), Miss Amelia (9/2), Mint Gold (5/1), Valence D'Aumont (6/1), Ain't My Fault (6/1), Vengeur De Guye (10/1), Lake Takapuna (14/1), Dr Sanderson (14/1), Baby King (14/1), Ballyvic Boru (25/1), Brelan D'As (33/1)

Lots with chances in a very open handicap. CEDAR HILL signalled he's ready to go in again when coming down four out at Ayr recently (still poised to challenge) and is taken to record C&D win number four off an unchanged mark. In-form mare Miss Amelia heads the list of dangers, although both Sedgefield-scorer Valence d'Aumont and C&D winner Ballyvic Boru command plenty of respect too.