16:29 Kelso

Saturday 28 October 2023

All12:5413:2914:0414:3915:1415:5416:2917:04

Watch RacingTV Free For 31 Days Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 30.72s

Augharue¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95

10/3

Ex-pointer shaped best on his second chase start when runner-up in 6-runner handicap chase (9/2) at Hexham (15.6f, heavy) 14 days ago, looking in control until year-long absence told near finish. Leading plater with that now under his belt.

Form: 23P/53-2

Jackhammer²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 90

12/1

Winner on the Flat in June and has matched hurdles form in 3 chase starts so far. Not disgraced back on the Flat on his most recent outing but doesn't really strike as one to progress much further in this sphere.

Form: 860-245

Take Centre Stage¹⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 90

7/2

Scopey sort was placed twice in handicap hurdles last winter and appeals as the type to make a better chaser, so merits consideration on chase bow after a 6-month break.

Form: 44033P-

Fathers Advice³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: R M Smith| OR: 88

18/1

Long-standing maiden hurdler but down to a career-low mark and found only one too good for the fifth time in his career at Cartmel (17.2f) in August. Unseated early here since but isn't discounted on chase debut.

Form: 26-452U

Fearless Action^p1⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 87

10/1

Yet to improve from a promising second at Sedgefield on his chasing debut, though was given a considerate return from a summer break when seventh of 11 in handicap chase (14/1) at Cartmel (17.3f, soft) 61 days ago. Cheekpieces on 1st time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 7234-07

Hector Master^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 87

5/1

Rergressive over hurdles and came home second of 4 finishers in most testing conditions at Perth on chase debut 31 days ago. Remains to be seen how much he achieved there and others are preferred.

Form: 40P/4P-2

Baron Briggs¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 82WS

10/3

Placed in a point and shaped better than the distance beaten suggests when third over 23.4f here on chase debut back in April, just unable to see the trip out after making good progress before 2 out. Drop in trip could suit here and has since has a wind-op, so isn't discounted.

Form: 853/033-

Goodoldbill^p²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 77

18/1

Successful in Irish points but has looked decidedly limited over hurdles, faring no better after a wind-op at Hexham when last seen. Needs switch to larger obstacles to bring about plenty of improvement.

Form: 56/76P6-

King Of The Hill²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: S Allwood| OR: 67

16/1

Maiden Irish pointer achieved nothing in 3 novice hurdles last season and looks very tricky to fancy making the quick switch to chasing.

Form: P54/P96-

Non-Runners

Heros De Moutiers²⁴

Weight: 11-13| Age: 6

T: D McCain Jnr J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Baron Briggs (10/3), Augharue (10/3), Take Centre Stage (7/2), Hector Master (5/1), Heros De Moutiers (6/1), Fearless Action (10/1), Jackhammer (12/1), King Of The Hill (16/1), Fathers Advice (18/1), Goodoldbill (18/1)

AUGHARUE showed plenty to be positive about at Hexham earlier in the month, and provided there's no 'bounce' on his second start after a year off, he looks to set a reasonably strong standard. Take Centre Stage ended last season poorly but had shown ability in the winter and appeals as one who should do better over fences, with Baron Briggs another to consider on his second chase start.