February 17 / 15.05 Kelso

15.05

Good

Racing’s Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 5f 133y
  • Class 2
  • 5 runners
RTV
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Racing’s Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91

Form: 42-431 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 novice chase winner at Haydock (2m4f, soft) last January and he impressed when making all off top weight in a handicap at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) last month; won a novice hurdle on good ground; a 5lb rise for last time may not prevent a follow-up win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Minella Drama

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.

9/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Minella Drama

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent nowadays but ran well in second when facing an impossible mission behind Protektorat at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) last time; now 5lb lower than when third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and this C&D winner is capable of being involved.

11/1

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Minella Drama

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Smart on his day and ran creditably when third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October, a race he'd won in 2024; however, two runs since have been poor and he has to concede weight all round.

11/1

Form: 22F-7P

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two Grade 2 novice chases early last year and he's well treated on that form; however, he's struggled on his two starts this season (hurdles/fences) and a possible lack of stamina wasn't the only issue over 3m7f at Musselburgh recently; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:05 Uttoxeter

Doyen Breed

10st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, headway after 9th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on until no extra from last

11/1

3

28th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:50 Perth

Doyen Breed

11st 8lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Course winner over hurdles; promising novice last season but hasn't progressed, best run when second (of three) at Kelso in February (2m5f, good); not so good there last time and visor now replaced cheekpieces; on a good mark.

6/1

4th

6

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Doyen Breed

10st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

in touch with leaders, bad mistake 2nd, soon recovered

11/2

Form: 44-163 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won on reappearance at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) in October and respectable third in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster (3m, good) last time; has won three times over hurdles here and he could play a leading role now back down in grade in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who lacked fluency when back over fences and was soundly beaten at Haydock in December; however, prior to that he made a fairly encouraging return from an absence over hurdles at Ayr and he's a six-time winner at Kelso; could have a part to play now back here.

13/2

5th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Likeable veteran whose ten wins include six at Kelso and three here; made a successful reappearance in 3m2f chase at Kelso (from Famous Bridge) last autumn; doesn't run often over hurdles these days but he has a lower mark and cannot be ruled out completely.

15/2

5th

1

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Elvis Mail

12st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Likeable veteran whose ten wins include six at Kelso and three here; made a successful reappearance in 3m2f chase at Kelso (from Famous Bridge) last autumn; doesn't run often over hurdles these days but he has a lower mark and cannot be ruled out completely.

15/2

Form: 1-5532 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won three times last season (including here) and has worked his way back to top form this term, going close at Ayr (2m5f) recently; back up 2lb but every chance he'll be bang there once more.
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: 0-33P2 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
declared 2.00 Leicester yesterday
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

14:32 Chepstow

Hometown Hero

12st 0lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, lost position before 5 out, weakened 4 out

9/2

5

17th Feb 2023

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

15:05 Kelso

Hometown Hero

10st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

declared 2.00 Leicester yesterday

3

16th Feb 2023

Good To Firm

1m 7f 201y

Class 3

14:00 Leicester

Hometown Hero

11st 2lb

J: David England

T: Dan Skelton

Pulled up at Market Rasen in December but has run well in three other chases, the latest when touched off at Uttoxeter (in cheekpieces for first time); good to firm ground asks a question but clearly the one to beat.

1/3

Non-runners

Dubai Days, Hometown Hero

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.20
Straight Forecast £4.44
Trifecta £4.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Elvis Mail

POSTDATA:

Minella Drama

TOPSPEED:

Dubai Days

Telegraph:

Minella Drama

D Express:

Minella Drama

The Sun:

Minella Drama

Daily Mail:

Dubai Days

Daily Mirror:

Dubai Days

The Star:

Dubai Days

RP Ratings:

Elvis Mail

The Times:

Elvis Mail

The Guardian:

Elvis Mail

Daily Record:

Elvis Mail