March 25 / 15.35 Kelso

15.35

Good To Soft

Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 2f 39y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.40
  • Place: £2.30

Form: -1633U C

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in three-runner chase here in February and unseated at the first flight in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham recently; however, before those he was a fair third in the Sky Bet Chase over 3m at Doncaster and this three-time course winner is an each-way contender if back on song.
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

11/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 411322

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row last autumn (2m3f/2m4f, good to soft) and has continued in good form, going close here (2m5f, good to soft) latest; won a 3m point in 2020 and he's a player if seeing out the trip, but it's not guaranteed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Half Shot

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Has won four chases, latest at Kelso in April (2m7f, good); mixed form since, including fair third back at Kelso last time (3m2f, good); a possible, though perhaps better at further these days.

11/4

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Half Shot

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Has won four chases, latest at Kelso in April (2m7f, good); mixed form since, including fair third back at Kelso last time (3m2f, good); a possible, though perhaps better at further these days.

11/4

4th

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

17:00 Kelso

Half Shot

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Captured this prize a year ago and in good form until ridden aggressively when tenth in 2m5f Cartmel handicap chase 23 days ago; it would come as no surprise to see him play a major role here.

9/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 221211 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won at Fontwell (3m2f, soft) in November on final hurdle start and, after finding 2m3f inadequate on chase debut, he's won over fences at Southwell (3m2f/3m, good) the last twice; he leaps into a higher grade here but had plenty in hand last time and a 10lb rise may not stop this progressive 7yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Forward Plan

11st 9lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

held up in rear

11/2

5

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Forward Plan

11st 9lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

held up in rear

11/2

3rd

5

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Forward Plan

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won this 12 months ago (good to soft) and continued in fine form last season, adding a competitive handicap at Kempton (3m, soft) in February; there could still be mileage in his mark and he may have needed last month's reappearance run at Wincanton (well-beaten fourth); one to consider.

5/1

Form: 2F-7P2

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
This is more competitive the race in which he was second of three here last month but that was an encouraging return to form and he's well treated on last season's exploits; not discounted.
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: -0PF76 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
10yo who has found things tough since winning the Scottish National in 2021 but there was more than a hint of spark before he faded in the Eider at Newcastle last month and his mark continues to fall; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

22nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Mighty Thunder

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Won this race in 2021 but not remotely in the same form since; latest start was probably his best form this term but he had a remote view of Elvis Mail nevertheless and is 3lb out of the handicap today.

16/1

5th

7

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Mighty Thunder

10st 8lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

midfield on outer, in touch with leaders 4th

12/1

6th

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

15:25 Newcastle

Mighty Thunder

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Career peak when winning the Scottish National in April 2021 off 12lb higher, rounding off an excellent season; nothing resembling that since, taking a step back in the right direction on latest start (ridden by claimer Patrick Wadge) but he needs a great deal better than that.

25/1

Form: -682PP C

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Pulled up the last twice and plenty to prove regarding current form but perhaps he's been unsuited by the blinkers; before those he ran well when second of four here (2m7f, heavy) in January and is a possible contender if the first-time cheekpieces have a positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

17th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:20 Kelso

Bavington Bob

12st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Ann Hamilton

prominent, lost position gradually from 10th, pushed along 13th, outpaced 4 out

7/2

6th

5

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Bavington Bob

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Ann Hamilton

midfield on outer

16/1

3

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Bavington Bob

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

in rear on outer

8/1

Form: 43-7P3 C

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
The most recent of his eight course wins came last January and he's now 5lb lower; however, this 13yo has struggled to get competitive on his three starts this season and has to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Big River

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear on inner, niggled along 6th

16/1

3rd

2

15th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:00 Kelso

Big River

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

in touch with leaders on inner

11/2

1

4th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

4m 0f 90y

Class 3

13:05 Kelso

Big River

12st 1lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

in touch with leaders, jumped slightly right and bumped rival 8th, towards rear after 12th, bad mistake before 20th

13/2

Form: 62-34P

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Classy in his prime and showed spark as recently as last April; however, below par in the winter on his final two runs for Willie Mullins and pulled up in France on recent stable debut; major turnaround needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

29th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:20 Kelso

Cilaos Emery

12st 0lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Sophie Leech

didn't always jump with fluency, took keen hold, raced in third, pecked on landing 3rd, soon recovered and went second, not fluent 4 out, lost position before 2 out

10/1

8th

1

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Cilaos Emery

11st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

in touch with leaders, prominent after 3rd, not fluent 12th, in touch with leaders when ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

33/1

8th

1

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Cilaos Emery

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

led

33/1

Form: 150524 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the Borders National here (4m, soft) in December and creditable fourth in cross-country race at Punchestown (3m1f, yielding) last month; could run well but he's 11lb higher than for his course run two starts ago which doesn't aid his cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Clonguile Way

10st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Andrew Crook

in rear

100/1

12

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Clonguile Way

10st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Andrew Crook

in rear

100/1

5

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:02 Hexham

Clonguile Way

11st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Andrew Crook

Ex-Irish; not the force of old and, having shown little in two runs after a break for present yard, is best watched for now.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 42U-37

Last run: 112 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Has run well on both visits to Kelso, with a Listed second (2m7f, soft) last March and a solid handicap third over C&D (good to soft) in October; has had wind surgery since a respectable seventh in the Becher at Aintree in December and he goes well fresh; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

31

15th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

17:15 Aintree

Hill Sixteen

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Beaten a nose in 3m2f race (soft) over these fences in December 2021; yet to prove himself beyond that but he was in sixth when badly hampered four out in last year's 4m Scottish National; started this season okay, then had wind surgery before tailed off three weeks ago; cheekpieces first time.

66/1

10th

2

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:35 Kelso

Hill Sixteen

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sandy Thomson

held up in rear, awkward jump 3rd

5/1

7th

4

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

3m 1f 188y

Class 1

14:05 Aintree

Hill Sixteen

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Nose second to Snow Leopardess in this race last year (soft); he's 9lb higher this time around but showed he can cope with this sort of mark when a solid third at Kelso (3m2f, good to soft) on his reappearance six weeks ago; could have a part to play now back here.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.80
Straight Forecast £29.33
Tricast £96.82
Trifecta £165.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hill Sixteen

The Times:

Forward Plan

RP Ratings:

Doyen Breed

Daily Mirror:

Clonguile Way

POSTDATA:

Elvis Mail

THE NORTH:

Big River

D Express:

Forward Plan

The Guardian:

Doyen Breed

TOPSPEED:

Hill Sixteen

Telegraph:

Hill Sixteen

Daily Mail:

Hill Sixteen

The Sun:

Hill Sixteen

The Star:

Hill Sixteen

Daily Record:

Clonguile Way