14:05 Kelso

Sunday 8 December 2024

All11:5512:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Bruce Farms Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 9m 13.07s

Your Own Story^p1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 128

14/1

Runner-up on all 3 outings back from absence in the spring but ran badly back from another break at Carlisle last month. First-time cheekpieces need to help spark a revival.

Form: 26/222-P

Pinot Rouge^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 125

9/1

Point winner who took well to hurdling last season, winning 3m Doncaster listed in March before fine fourth in Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree (3m again) in April. Has made a slightly underwhelming start to her chase career around 2½m this autumn but could prove a different proposition now up in trip.

Form: 1/314-36

Universal Folly³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 121| C

14/1

Multiple winner for Nicky Richards who has steadily got his act together for present yard, his stamina shining through in a well-run race when scoring over 3¼m here in October. Had a few of these rivals behind him when fourth at Carlisle since. Back up in trip.

Form: P-55314

Bretney^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 120

12/1

Pair of chase wins earlier in the year, latterly making all in the Highland National at Perth (3¾m) in April. Might have needed the run when well held on his Bangor reappearance but he will need to leave that well behind now.

Form: 312P1-7

Jet Legs³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 119| C

11/2

Winner of a pair of handicap chases around 3m last winter. Probably needed last month's Carlisle reappearance and he's unexposed as a long-distance chaser. Needs considering.

Form: 12123-6

Haute Estime^p1,t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| C

33/1

Mixed record over fences last season and also well beaten back hurdling on her Ayr reappearance. Remains to be seen whether first-time cheekpieces make the difference.

Form: 5563P-6

Prince Des Fichaux^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 114

14/1

Ended last season with a poor run and has fared no better in 2 comeback outings in recent months. Given a chance by the handicapper but his claims aren't obvious.

Form: 2247-5P

Flower Of Scotland³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: A M Thomson| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Won this race in 2022. Her efforts in the last 12 months raise doubts as to whether she's quite the force of old but her handicap mark reflects that and she's entitled to come on for last month's Carlisle reappearance after wind surgery. Yard has an excellent record in this race.

Form: 3/P84P-5

Fairlawn Flyer^p⁴⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 106| BF

20/1

Won at Cartmel in August 2023 and looked set to coast in at Fontwell the following month only to pull up quickly before 3 out. Absent since. The betting is perhaps the best guide to expectations.

Form: 3321PP-

Raceview Road¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 105| C

5/2

Multiple Irish point winner who made a winning chase debut over 21.5f here in April. Good placed efforts around 3m on all 3 outings since and leaves this impression this increased stamina test could play to his strengths. Interesting.

Form: 221-432

Travail D'Orfevre^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 103| C

11/1

Most consistent last season. Should come on for his Ayr reappearance 6 weeks ago but has done the vast majority of his racing at up to 2½m so his stamina has to be taken on trust over this significantly longer trip.

Form: 22232-3

Non-Runners

Peaches And Cream⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: G P Cromwell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Raceview Road (5/2), Flower Of Scotland (7/2), Jet Legs (11/2), Peaches And Cream (8/1), Pinot Rouge (9/1), Travail D'Orfevre (11/1), Bretney (12/1), Your Own Story (14/1), Universal Folly (14/1), Prince Des Fichaux (14/1), Fairlawn Flyer (20/1), Haute Estime (33/1)

JET LEGS leaves the impression he could really come into his own now tackling a long distance for the first time and gets the vote. Raceview Road is another young chaser who shapes as if an increased stamina test will suit and is second choice. 2022 winner Flower of Scotland is potentially well handicapped and completes the shortlist for a local stable with an excellent record in this race.