14:00 Kelso

Sunday 7 December 2025

All11:5012:2012:5513:3014:0014:3715:15

Bruce Farms Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 8m 48.73s

Cadell^b²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 137| C

14/1

Course regular who looked better than ever fitted with this headgear when making all here (23.4f) 4 weeks ago. Did blow hot and cold as a novice, however, so needs to back that up.

Form: 5P14-P1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Grozni^t,v²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: A M Thomson| OR: 123

22/1

Solid efforts over fences last season when sixth in Kim Muir at Cheltenham and fourth in Scottish National on final outing. Probably needed comeback run for new yard before emphasis on speed no use to him here (23.4) 4 weeks ago. Tongue strap on.

Form: 1564-56

Bodhisattva^p²²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 121

40/1

On a losing run but posted a good second in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (31.4f, good to soft) in February. Best effort since when sixth of 15 in the Ulster National at Downpatrick in March but others make more appeal from a win point of view on return.

Form: 22U76P-

Fairlawn Flyer^p⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Shane Fenelon⁽⁵⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 120

16/1

Won 5 in a row between March and June before good second at Cartmel in July but handicapper seems to have caught up with him now.

Form: 11-1123

President Scottie^p1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 119| BF

10/1

Hurdler winner but yet score over fences and was 11¾ lengths fourth of 10 to De Legislator at Ayr on return. Headgear on.

Form: 2333P-4

De Legislator^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 118| C

10/3

Point winner who enhanced his excellent strike rate under Rules when making a winning return at Ayr last month. Open to further improvement with step up in trip likely to suit.

Form: 115/51-1

Diamond Dealer^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| C

7/2

Winner over 2½m over hurdles for B. F. Brookhouse and made it 2 from 2 over fences for new yard when easily making all at Chepstow 16 days ago. More to come and big shout if seeing out this much longer trip.

Form: 5626-11

Gold Clermont^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 110

6/1

More miss than hit last season but more encouraging signs with cheekpieces added on last 2 starts and shaped encouragingly when second of 4 at Uttoxeter on return/yard debut 3 weeks ago. Claims if building on that.

Form: 4PP35-2

Neo King²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110

7/1

Multiple point winner. Still a maiden under Rules but was a good second at Exeter in February and better for return when close second at Fontwell. Out-and-out stayer who should be thereabouts.

Form: 6832-22

Catch Catchfire^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 107

11/2

Bagged staying handicap chases in the mud at Leicester and Sedgefield last winter and would have made a winning return had his bid for glory been delayed a little longer back over hurdles at Warwick 18 days ago. 4 lb out of weights back over fences but he's not taken lightly all the same.

Form: 8141F-3

Breeze Of Wind^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 105| D

25/1

Landed a fifth chase win when narrow winner at Ayr (heavy) in February. Looked rusty on return but up against from 6 lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 44514-5

Forecasts

De Legislator (10/3), Diamond Dealer (7/2), Catch Catchfire (11/2), Gold Clermont (6/1), Neo King (7/1), President Scottie (10/1), Cadell (14/1), Fairlawn Flyer (16/1), Grozni (22/1), Breeze Of Wind (25/1), Bodhisattva (40/1)

DE LEGISLATOR continues to progress and should have even more to offer over this longer trip, so shades the vote over fellow-improver Diamond Dealer, who is also taking a significant rise in distance. Guaranteed stayer Gold Clermont shaped well starting out for this yard at Uttoxeter on return and completes the shortlist.