14:48 Kelso

Saturday 22 October 2022

All13:0513:4014:1514:4815:2316:0016:3517:10

Edinburgh Gin Chase (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 6m 49.28s

Aye Right²¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 156| C

20/1

Very smart chaser who finally gained a deserved big handicap win in Rehearsal at Newcastle last November. Faced very stiff task in Cheltenham Gold Cup final start and much respected on his reappearance.

Form: 30/5139-

Does He Know²²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 152WS

5/1

Made up into a smart novice chaser last term when a three-time winner, including in Ascot Grade 2. Well held in Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham final start but has since had a wind op and expected to bounce back on his return.

Form: 5/11210-

Sounds Russian²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 150| C

7/2

Hasn't looked back since sent over fences, rattling off a hat-trick (two wins here) before signing off with excellent second in 3m Ayr handicap in April. Remains on a winning mark and he's a big player here.

Form: 241112-

De Rasher Counter¹⁹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 149| D

28/1

Very lightly raced since winning Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury in 2019. Not disgraced after a long absence when fourth in Denman Chase at Newbury before unseated rider 8th in Grand National at Aintree in April. Others appeal more.

Form: 14P2/4U-

Hill Sixteen^t²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: A M Thomson| OR: 145

14/1

Useful chaser who ended last term in good nick, still close up when hampered and unseated rider 4 out in Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April. Winless since 2020 but he's not ruled out.

Form: 62P42U-

Big River^p,t²¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 143| CD

14/1

Veteran staying chaser who is an 8-time course winner (including over hurdles). Signed off for last season with another good effort over C&D so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 0/21143-

Eva's Oskar^v²²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 140

16/1

Made up into a very useful handicap chaser last season and ended his campaign with victory at Exeter (3m) in a first-time visor. Headgear again sported on his return and he ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 122P41-

Bavington Bob³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 137| C

6/1

Much improved last season and he completed a 4-timer here in April. Looked rusty after 5 months off when well held in 3m Perth handicap on return and no surprise to see him bounce back now.

Form: 11113-6

Rapid Flight⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 137

6/1

Already a five-time winner this season at Cartmel, recording a career best in 3m1f handicap chase there in August. Up another 6 lb but he's not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 121111

Castle Robin^t²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 134

4/1

Ended last season on the up over fences and he returns bidding for a hat-trick after 3m wins at Doncaster and Wetherby in the spring. Can't be dismissed despite being 1 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 3/14611-

Forecasts

Sounds Russian (7/2), Castle Robin (4/1), Does He Know (5/1), Bavington Bob (6/1), Rapid Flight (6/1), Hill Sixteen (14/1), Big River (14/1), Eva's Oskar (16/1), Aye Right (20/1), De Rasher Counter (28/1)

Ruth Jefferson's SOUNDS RUSSIAN did nothing but improve over fences last term yet still looks ahead of his mark on his return and is fancied to bag a third course success. Does He Know found Cheltenham's Ultima Handicap too much on his final start but is another set to kick on again this season and rates the chief threat. The likeable duo Aye Right and Bavington Bob appeal as the pick of the remainder for minor honours in a cracking handicap.