December 04 / 12.05 Kelso

12.05

Good To Soft

Kelso Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £7406.56
  • 2m 1f 14y
  • Class 3
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Kelso Handicap Chase

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 22531- D

Last run: 228 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won two handicap chases (2m, good to soft) during last season's novice campaign, including at Perth in April when last seen; also effective on soft ground; this 6yo may have more to offer for his top northern stable and could make a bold bid on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

22nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 4

13:50 Catterick

Dreams Of Home

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Useful chaser at best for Donald McCain but last win was almost two years ago and he's struggled in two hurdle runs for new yard this autumn; on reduced mark back over fences but he has something to prove and all of his rules wins have been at shorter trips; cheekpieces added.

16/1

4th

7

22nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 4

13:50 Catterick

Dreams Of Home

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Useful chaser at best for Donald McCain but last win was almost two years ago and he's struggled in two hurdle runs for new yard this autumn; on reduced mark back over fences but he has something to prove and all of his rules wins have been at shorter trips; cheekpieces added.

16/1

9/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form: 1-6P55 D

Last run: 147 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Pulled up/tailed off on his final three starts in May-July and soft ground would be a probable negative; however, he's won on the last two occasions he's returned from a break and he's back from 147 days off here; below last winning mark and has to be of interest given his record when fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

29th May 2023

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Return Ticket

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Back in prime form when winning easily at Carlisle (2m, good to soft) last month, and his subsequent fourth in a good race at Ayr (2m, good) was perfectly respectable; claims on that evidence but needs to prove he can handle this track (pulled up in this race last year on only previous visit).

6/1

4th

5

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:15 Ayr

Return Ticket

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Gained the most notable of his nine successes in this event (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago; mostly disappointing since but he returned to form after wind surgery to score in clearcut style at Carlisle two weeks ago; still 1lb lower than for last year's win so has to be considered, although today's contest looks a fair bit stronger.

11/2

1st

2

8th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 207y

Class 3

15:40 Carlisle

Return Ticket

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Rebecca Menzies

soon went second, led 2 out, went clear approaching last, easily

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1224-8 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on final outing last season and same story on his reappearance at Ayr in October; however, a bad mistake at the sixth fence at Ayr made things tough and he's on an attractive mark on last season's best efforts; could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Won this 12 months ago on his reappearance when 4lb lower and then finished a 2l second to Primoz at Wetherby, the form of which could be reversed on these more favourable terms; consistent and should have every chance.

3/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Pay The Piper

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ann Hamilton

Has consistent form figures and should give his running but this 10yo may have to settle for a supporting role off top weight; returns to fences after two runs over hurdles.

6/1

Form: 45123- D

Last run: 278 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
He's not the same force as when winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in 2019 but he ran some good races over fences last season, including a win at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in January, and he's not ruled out off only 2lb higher on this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:40 Hexham

Cornerstone Lad

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Regressive 11yo; returned from layoff with two disappointing runs in February and absent for another 101 days since but will be favoured by the forecast rain here and is too well handicapped to rule out.

12/1

6th

5

26th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:18 Wetherby

Cornerstone Lad

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

always behind

16/1

10th

9

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

14:08 Wetherby

Cornerstone Lad

10st 12lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

High-class hurdler in his prime but it's now over three years since his latest win; ended last season with some very respectable efforts and resumes on a tempting mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.

14/1

Form: 3U11-5 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Progressive during last season's novice campaign, which concluded with wins over C&D (soft) and Ayr (2m, good to soft) in the spring; fair fifth on reappearance at Ayr in October and he could rediscover his improving ways with that run under his belt; firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Dubai Days

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won over C&D (soft) in February before respectable sixth of 17 in veterans' final at Haydock (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago; 11 visits to Ayr have yielded five wins and this is his time of year; could go well.

16/1

6th

14

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Dubai Days

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

His last six wins have come in the months of February, March or April and he returned to form to win at Ayr (2m4f, soft) 40 days ago; runner-up in this race two years ago (soft) and won over C&D (good to soft) last February; that latest win reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; possible player.

12/1

1st

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Dubai Days

12st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either outing this term and was tailed off at Aintree most recently; however, this is the stage of the season when he tends to come good and he's 2lb lower than when scoring at Haydock last February; has won here four times, and on various ground.

6/1

Form: 150-23 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Has an impressive 4-8 record at Kelso, and a very healthy 5-16 strike-rate over fences, and he reappeared with a good third at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October; key contender now back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 4

19:35 Market Rasen

Cedar Hill

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

held up in rear

8/1

4th

3

4th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

13:50 Musselburgh

Cedar Hill

11st 10lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended last year with below-par C&D run (bled from the nose) and was beaten when falling over 2m4f here on New Year's Day; needs to get back in the groove but has very good chasing strike-rate (7-25) and his current mark is workable.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.90
Straight Forecast £43.33
Trifecta £133.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

Cedar Hill

RP Ratings:

Pay The Piper

SPOTLIGHT:

Dubai Days

D Express:

Cornerstone Lad

TOPSPEED:

Pay The Piper

Telegraph:

Pay The Piper

The Star:

Pay The Piper

The Times:

Cedar Hill

Daily Mirror:

Cedar Hill

The Sun:

Cedar Hill

Daily Record:

Cedar Hill

Daily Mail:

Dubai Days