April 20 / 15.00 Kelso

15.00

Good

Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 5f 133y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.80
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 333125 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Made all to land good prize at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in January and is also very well suited by this track but he's no longer the force of old and was unable to land a telling blow at Carlisle last month; others have more appealing profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Breizh River

11st 5lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Not as good as he was but has still won two of his last four races and has only raced six times for this yard; up 5lb for Kelso but couldn't dismiss.

13/2

1st

3

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Breizh River

11st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Made all to land good prize at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) in January and is also very well suited by this track but he's no longer the force of old and was unable to land a telling blow at Carlisle last month; others have more appealing profiles.

10/1

5th

3

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Breizh River

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Strike-rate over fences is 4-14; has form figures of 3312 since joining new yard, the success in notable handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); remains well treated on historical data; solid claims.

4/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -11361 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with career-best performance this month, drawing clear to win by 11l over C&D (good) on chasing debut; 9lb higher in a higher-grade race today but could easily have more to offer over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Looking Splendid

11st 6lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Gary Rutherford

Has taken well to fences, winning by 11l here on his chase debut (good) before finishing a clear second (again over C&D) last time; went up 9lb for his win and another 4lb for latest run but is one with a chance.

11/4

2nd

7

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Looking Splendid

11st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Gary Rutherford

Returned from break with career-best performance this month, drawing clear to win by 11l over C&D (good) on chasing debut; 9lb higher in a higher-grade race today but could easily have more to offer over fences.

7/2

1st

5

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Looking Splendid

11st 8lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Gary Rutherford

Won two in a row over hurdles in October (2m5f/2m4f, good; including here) and ran pretty well when third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in November; unsuited by soft ground when below par at Musselburgh in December; could have a part to play if taking to fences at the first attempt.

13/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 432543

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
0-6 over fences but gave very good account when third in valuable series final over C&D (good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has been dropped 1lb since; big player if new headgear continues to help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Joecooker

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-6 over fences but gave very good account when third in valuable series final over C&D (good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has been dropped 1lb since; big player if new headgear continues to help.

5/1

3rd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Joecooker

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed twice in a row in December (2m4f/2m3f, soft/good to soft) and had an excuse (hampered) at Newcastle in January; heavy ground may have been against him here last time and he's not discounted now in cheekpieces.

10/1

4th

5

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Joecooker

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed off this mark in two handicap chases in December (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft); hampered four out when fifth of seven to Moon Phases at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last time; might not be far away.

6/1

Form: 3-3666 C

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won off today's mark at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft; first-time visor) towards end of last season but is yet to build upon his pleasing reappearance run in October and needs to up his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Jet Legs

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Has won three times over fences, the latest over 2m4f here in March last year (good to soft; visored first time); hasn't done quite as well since; stays 3m and on a good mark now.

8/1

4th

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Jet Legs

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Won off today's mark at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft; first-time visor) towards end of last season but is yet to build upon his pleasing reappearance run in October and needs to up his game.

16/1

6th

4

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Jet Legs

11st 7lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Martin Todhunter

Not totally solid on form this season, having failed to back up reappearance effort; however, has slipped back to last winning mark and may prove resurgent.

7/1

Form: 362343 C BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Yet to add to his four chase wins for Philip Kirby during 2023-24 season but has made the frame on all four starts for current stable since December, most recently when third of five at Newcastle (2m4f, good) nine days ago; tried in cheekpieces today; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Special Rate

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Hugh Burns

Yet to add to his four chase wins for Philip Kirby during 2023-24 season but has made the frame on all four starts for current stable since December, most recently when third of five at Newcastle (2m4f, good) nine days ago; tried in cheekpieces today; probably won't be far away.

11/2

3rd

5

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Special Rate

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Hugh Burns

With Phil Kirby when left alone in a match at Kelso (3m, soft) in February 2024, that being his fourth (and most recent) win over fences; runner-up in this last year (beaten 11l) for Lizzie Quinlan; in the frame three times (Musselburgh) for Hugh Burns; competes from an easing mark, needing more.

4/1

4th

1

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Special Rate

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Hugh Burns

On a two-year losing spell but looks reasonably solid, having posted two respectable efforts over C&D this winter for new yard; remains well treated on peak form.

4/1

Form: 63d-14 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Dual course winner over hurdles; finished alone in a match race on seasonal/chase debut in October then wasn't beaten far when last of four over C&D (good to soft) in February; eased in grade today and could still have potential over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

17:11 Cartmel

Old Gregorian

11st 5lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Finished alone in a match race on chase debut in October; not beaten far when last of four at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in February but ran poorly over that C&D last month and needs a boost from the new cheekpieces.

8/1

6th

1

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Old Gregorian

12st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Dual course winner over hurdles; finished alone in a match race on seasonal/chase debut in October then wasn't beaten far when last of four over C&D (good to soft) in February; eased in grade today and could still have potential over fences.

5/1

Form: /952-4

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Safely held on last month's chasing debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good) but that came after a 489-day absence and she's well handicapped on old hurdling form; no surprise if she gets closer to the target today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Kay Tara Tara

10st 9lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Safely held on last month's chasing debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good) but that came after a 489-day absence and she's well handicapped on old hurdling form; no surprise if she gets closer to the target today.

10/1

4th

6

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:50 Ludlow

Kay Tara Tara

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Bumper (AW) and maiden hurdle winner for Alan King but she didn't progress; wore a tongue-tie when fair fifth on debut for this yard in November 2024 and she built on that in added cheekpieces when close second of four at Newcastle (also about 2m4f, good) a fortnight later; makes chase debut after 489 days away with the market likely to offer some clues.

9/1

2nd

4

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:55 Newcastle

Kay Tara Tara

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

took keen hold, raced in third, good jump 3 out, challenging 2 out, led narrowly last, ridden run-in, no extra final 110yds, headed towards finish

13/2

Form: 412344

Last run: 177 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent 10yo who belatedly opened his chasing account at Perth (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) last summer; absent since below-par effort in October but ran well when fresh here (2m4f, good) last spring and returns from latest break on a workable mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Garde Des Champs

11st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Hasn't the best of strike-rates but both his wins have been here, the latest over C&D last July (good) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time; disappointing up in trip here last time (didn't jump well); may have to race run to suit him but will need to jump better.

14/1

8th

5

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Garde Des Champs

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Largely consistent 10yo who belatedly opened his chasing account at Perth (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) last summer; absent since below-par effort in October but ran well when fresh here (2m4f, good) last spring and returns from latest break on a workable mark.

9/1

5

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

16:30 Kelso

Garde Des Champs

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Reasonably consistent and ran respectably on the bare figures over C&D most recently; however, still has a modest strike-rate, which includes a record of just 1-19 in the chase sphere.

6/1

Non-runners

Carrigeen Castle

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.40
Straight Forecast £14.97
Tricast £38.96
Trifecta £68.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Looking Splendid

POSTDATA:

Joecooker

Telegraph:

Old Gregorian

SPOTLIGHT:

Special Rate

D Express:

Carrigeen Castle

TOPSPEED:

Garde Des Champs

The Times:

Joecooker

The Sun:

Joecooker

Daily Mail:

Old Gregorian

The Guardian:

Looking Splendid

Daily Mirror:

Looking Splendid

The Star:

Looking Splendid

Daily Record:

Looking Splendid