15:15 Kelso

Monday 7 April 2025

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Ashleybank Investments Reg And Betty Tweedie Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 51.60s

Cadell^t1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 131| C

11/8

Fairly useful winner over hurdles and made it 2-5 in this sphere when landing a 5-runner Class 2 handicap over 26.2f here recently. 3 lb nudge fair enough and drop back in trip won't be an issue, so he has to enter calculations. Tongue strap applied.

Form: P-315P1

Saint Arvans^t²⁷⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 122| CD

10/1

Now 2 lb below last winning mark and performed with credit on a couple of occasions last year, notably when runner-up at Uttoxeter on the first of his 4 appearances in 2024. However, he was beaten a long way when third at Market Rasen on latest start 9 months ago and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 2P-2543

Pont Aven^t1³¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H McMahon| OR: 120WS

200/1

Talented chaser for Willie Mullins in his pomp and would prove hard to beat off this reduced mark if anywhere near his best. On the downside, he didn't show much in 5 runs between the flags last year and has a bit to prove now back under Rules for new yard. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 2U25-FU

Half Shot^b¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine| OR: 116| C

9/1

Perked up by first-time blinkers as he capitalised on reduced mark here (21.6f, good) in September, enhancing his good course record in the process (Kelso form figures read 22213). Below par the last twice but it would be no surprise were he to bounce back with a bold show returned to this course.

Form: 812337

Ganapathi^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115

6/1

Losing run stretches back to June 2022 but he has found just one too good in handicaps at Musselburgh and Carlisle since returning from a break in February. Remains on a workable mark and should make his presence felt.

Form: 76P422

Breakdance Kid^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: W Coltherd| OR: 115| C

11/4

Resumed winning ways over 20.6f here in November and took a step back in the right direction when third of 14 at Carlisle (24.5f, good to soft) recently. Drying ground a plus and he needs considering back here off the same mark.

Form: 213553

Prince Des Fichaux^t,p⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 108

8/1

Just touched off by Anglers Crag in the 2024 Eider at Newcastle and creditable fourth in this year's renewal of that marathon handicap chase on his latest start. Conversely, his strike rate (1-22 overall) is modest and likely to again find one or two too good.

Form: 5PP3P4

Non-Runners

Music Of Tara²⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: S Bowen

Anglers Crag²³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 10

T: B Ellison J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Cadell (11/8), Breakdance Kid (11/4), Ganapathi (6/1), Music Of Tara (6/1), Anglers Crag (15/2), Prince Des Fichaux (8/1), Half Shot (9/1), Saint Arvans (10/1), Pont Aven (200/1)

The vote goes to BREAKDANCE KID, who bounced back from a couple of below par efforts when third at Carlisle and he's just 3 lb higher than for his clear-cut success here in the autumn. Half Shot is lurking on a potentially handy mark and will be a threat if on-song, while recent course winner Cadell and Ganapathi are likely to be on the premises, too. Pont Aven would be a danger to all if anywhere near his best but he's now at the veteran stage and has a fair bit to prove at present.