13:05 Kelso

Sunday 4 December 2022

All11:3512:0512:3513:0513:3514:0514:4015:15

125 Years Of Bruce Farms Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:08 | Winning time: 8m 55.09s

Big River^p,t⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-1| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 141| CD

16/1

Veteran staying chaser who is a 5-time course winner and also landed this event 12 months ago. Off 7 months before never-dangerous seventh here (26.2f) in October so no surprise to see him take a big step forward now.

Form: 21143-7

Cyclop^p,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 130

14/1

Mulitple winner over hurdles/fences during 2020/21 for Matt Sheppard. Only had three runs since for current yard but he posted a good third in handicap chase at Fontwell (27.7f) 21 days ago when left poorly placed. Cheekpieces go back on and he's in the mix.

Form: 461/5-23

All About Joe⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 126

15/2

Made a successful start over fences at Cartmel (21f) in June and added to that when landing 8-runner handicap at Sedgefield (29.2f) 49 days ago. Up another 5 lb but he's still not taken lightly.

Form: F15221

The Ferry Master^p,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 123| C

4/1

Progressed very well over fences in 2020/21, winning twice before fourth in Scottish Grand National here. He should strip fitter for his reappearance fifth at Ayr over an inadequate 2m4f and this course winner is weighted to have a big say.

Form: 35429-5

Cash To Ash³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 122

11/2

Resumed with a good second of 10 in handicap chase at Wetherby (24.2f) 36 days ago. Effective at this much longer trip and needs considering.

Form: 22275-2

Fiveaftermidnight^p²²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: P J Rothwell| OR: 118

25/1

Irish chaser who comes here on the back of a good third of 12 in handicap at Punchestown (21.2f) in April. Cheekpieces replace blinkers and she can't be discounted after her break.

Form: 790213-

Niceandeasy^p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 117

14/1

Took well to fences last season, winning twice, and he looked rusty after 8 months off when fifth of 9 in handicap at Carlisle (26.2f) 35 days ago. Another who can't be discounted now steppng back up in trip.

Form: 3F121-5

Wake Up Early^p³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117| BF

12/1

In good form for his new yard during the spring, scoring at Fakenham and Market Rasen, and he resumed from 6 months off with good Musselburgh second in 31.5f handicap. One for the shortlist.

Form: P13-212

Donna's Delight^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: A M Thomson| OR: 114

18/1

Looked in need of the run after 8 months off when fifth of 6 in handicap chase at Ayr (24.1f) 25 days ago. Lightly raced since scoring twice in early 2020 so he can't be ruled out if taking a step forward now.

Form: 11/P52-5

Breaking The Ice^v1²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 114| BF| C

12/1

Enjoyed a splendid first season over fences, completing a course hat-trick here, and picked up where he left off with victory at Hexham in October. Not disgraced off a 7 lb higher mark despite coming in last of 8 in handicap here last time so is in the picture.

Form: 1114-18

Flower Of Scotland³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 113| C

10/3

Course winner who arrives on the back of a creditable third of 9 in handicap chase at Carlisle (26.2f) 35 days ago. 1 lb out of the handicap but not dismissed.

Form: 81444-3

Buddha Scheme^t,v²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112| C

20/1

Fair handicap chaser who was well served by emphasis on stamina when scoring here last December. Posted a good third at Ayr (3m) last month on his only run since so he's considered back over further despite being 2 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 2P/4F1-3

Clonguile Way²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: J C McConnell| OR: 111

16/1

Ended a losing run at Wexford in May and he wasn't disgraced when fifth in 3m1f handicap at Cheltenham last month. Others look better treated at these weights though.

Form: 2F-1505

Forecasts

Flower Of Scotland (10/3), The Ferry Master (4/1), Cash To Ash (11/2), All About Joe (15/2), Wake Up Early (12/1), Breaking The Ice (12/1), Cyclop (14/1), Niceandeasy (14/1), Clonguile Way (16/1), Big River (16/1), Donna's Delight (18/1), Buddha Scheme (20/1), Fiveaftermidnight (25/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. Sandy Thomson has an excellent record in this event and his THE FERRY MASTER is worth siding with to build on his reappearance fifth at Ayr over an indadequate trip and capitalise on a handy-looking mark. The less exposed Niceandeasy heads the list of dangers, although last year's winner Big River is another who could have a big say. Wake Up Early and Cash To Ash complete the shortlist.