17:00 Kelso

Monday 15 April 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:35

Weatherbys Hamilton Buccleuch Cup (Maiden Hunters' Chase)

Off time: 17:03 | Winning time: 6m 21.1s

Alone No More^p⁶⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Emma J Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L Brown| OR: 72

33/1

Rules form is pretty uninspiring and he failed to threaten in a couple of runs between the flags during the winter. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 7P3P-44

Amma Lord³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Lucy Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs K Lynn| OR: 76

33/1

Placed once in a handicap hurdle for Rebecca Menzies back in 2021 and winner of a point for this yard last spring. Hasn't shown much in 2 starts between the flags so far this year, though, and he's hard to warm on this hunter chase debut.

Form: 7P/13-5P

Any Job Will Do^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 61

33/1

Poor maiden hurdler who has failed to complete on 4 of his 5 starts in this sphere (well beaten on the occasion that he did complete here last April). Successful in a point last month but opposable back under Rules all the same.

Form: 0-FPP41

Soldier Of Rock³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽³⁾| T: Miss C Tinkler

8/11

Half-brother to a point winner and opened his account between the flags at the fourth attempt last month. Very much one to consider on this Rules debut on the back of that wide-margin success.

Form: 2P21

Toucan Sam^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Hamilton⁽⁷⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 85

9/1

Not without promise on 2 of his 3 starts in novice/maiden hurdles for this yard back in summer 2022. Pulled up both starts in handicap chases this season following a 14-month layoff but he was runner-up in a point 23 days ago and is well worth a second look here.

Form: 46-PPU2

Watch Law²³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Nick Orpwood⁽³⁾| T: Jess Mckie

28/1

Closely related to a point winner and hit the target twice between the flags in the early part of last year. However, he struggled in that sphere when returning from a 10-month absence 23 days ago and latest effort under Rules (in a maiden hurdle) resulted in a heavy defeat.

Form: 2114-46

Whatsgoingon^t1,v1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: Kate Leckenby

10/1

Offered little in Catterick bumper and a novice hurdle here at the end of 2021. Not seen out under Rules since and while he has made the frame on 3 of his 4 subsequent starts in points, one or two of these are more appealing.

Form: 9P/5234

Bentley Road²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T Hamilton| T: W Coltherd

11/2

Fetched €26,000 as a 3-y-o and he's closely related to useful hurdler/chaser On The Bridge and fairly useful hurdler Fairytale Theatre. Placed last 2 starts between the flags and needs considering on Rules debut with a very capable amateur aboard.

Form: P4R23

Red Opium^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Rosie Howarth⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Coward| OR: 71

9/1

Successful 3 times from 19 appearances in points and placed all 4 completed starts in that sphere since the turn of the year. Pulled up both runs in hunter chases last spring, which tempers enthusiasm somewhat, but she has to enter calculations in what looks a very winnable race.

Form: P3P223

She Is The Enemy²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Gregor Walkingshaw⁽⁷⁾| T: N Sanderson

40/1

Has made the frame on 2 of her 3 starts in points but she was 15 lengths adrift of Toucan Sam last time. Others preferred.

Form: 453

Forecasts

Soldier Of Rock (8/11), Bentley Road (11/2), Red Opium (9/1), Toucan Sam (9/1), Whatsgoingon (10/1), Watch Law (28/1), Alone No More (33/1), Amma Lord (33/1), Any Job Will Do (33/1), She Is The Enemy (40/1)

Not an easy race to weigh up, with most of the form on offer from the pointing field. SOLDIER OF ROCK was a facile winner of his latest start between the flags and is more appealing than most. Toucan Sam is the one with the best form under Rules and, having finished a clear second in a point last time, he is feared most ahead of Bentley Road and Red Opium.