15:35 Kelso

Saturday 25 March 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 50.48s

Cilaos Emery^h²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 147

80/1

Smart chaser at best for Willie Mullins but didn't show much in hurdle event at Auteuil on yard debut after 14 months off.

Form: U62-34P

Hill Sixteen^t¹¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: A M Thomson| OR: 143WS

17/2

Losing run is mounting up but was a good third over C&D on reappearance before respectable seventh of 22 in Becher Chase at Aintree. Not taken lightly back down in class. First run after a wind op.

Form: P42U-37

Elvis Mail^t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 138| C

7/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who returned to something like his best to end losing run on return at Ayr (20.5f) in October. Disappointed here last month, however, and got no further than the first in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham 10 days ago.

Form: 4-1633U

Big River^p,t⁶⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 135| CD

18/1

Veteran staying chaser who is a 5-time course winner but on the decline now and others preferred.

Form: 143-7P3

Bavington Bob^p1⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 133| C

20/1

Four-time winner last season (including here) but his second of 4 in 23f handicap here in January has been his only decent effort this term, soon pulled up at Newcastle last week.

Form: 3-682PP

Doyen Breed^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 131

4/1

Did well as a novice chaser last season and back on track when second of 3 here (21.6f) 5 weeks ago. However, was probably flattered by his proximity to the winner and opposable back up in trip.

Form: 22F-7P2

Mighty Thunder^p,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 127| C

17/2

Won the 2021 Scottish Grand National but not the force of old nowadays, beaten 30 lengths when sixth in the Eider at Newcastle latest.

Form: P-0PF76

Forward Plan^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125| D

4/1

Won a Fontwell handicap hurdle in November and has continued his improvement switched to chasing, winning his last 2 starts at Southwell. Extremely likeable type and remains one to follow.

Form: 221211

Clonguile Way³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 125

14/1

In top form at the moment, second over a marathon trip here in December before fourth of 20 in Cross Country at Punchestown. Should be thereabouts again.

Form: 150524

Half Shot²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 121

3/1

Opened chase account back from a break at Sedgefield in October before following up over hurdles at Musselburgh the following month. Good placed efforts back in this sphere next 3 starts, only just edged out here (21.6f) latest. Likely to make another bold bid.

Form: 411322

Forecasts

Half Shot (3/1), Forward Plan (4/1), Doyen Breed (4/1), Elvis Mail (7/1), Mighty Thunder (17/2), Hill Sixteen (17/2), Clonguile Way (14/1), Big River (18/1), Bavington Bob (20/1), Cilaos Emery (80/1)

FORWARD PLAN has thrived since being switched to chasing, making it 2-3 in this sphere at Southwell 3 weeks ago in a good time, and he remains one to keep on the right side of. Half Shot and Clonguile Way arrive at the top of their game so are feared most.