February 16 / 16.32 Kelso

16.32

Soft

Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 1f 14y
  • Class 3
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Chase

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38

Form: P4-441 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Took advantage of a career-low mark to win at Sedgefield last time (2m1f, soft); back up 5lb but these conditions suit; big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

16:50 Punchestown

Escapeandevade

11st 7lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Bounced back from an off day at Sandown to win a small-field Newbury event; this is tougher, but he is generally reliable.

14/1

2nd

1

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Escapeandevade

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Ran no sort of race at Sandown seven weeks ago but his previous four efforts had all been highly creditable, including a Haydock win (2m, soft; handles good) just before Christmas; no surprise if he bounces back for a yard in form.

5/2

5

31st Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

14:02 Sandown

Escapeandevade

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Harry Derham

Acts on any ground; record of 2212 this term for new yard, most recently clear of the remainder when bidding for a Haydock double (2m); back on career-high mark but looks a solid contender in current form.

5/1

Form: 2-5654 CD

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
C&D winner in March 2022, but last win was over 2m4f on heavy at Carlisle last March; solid run over 2m7f here last time (soft) when fourth to prolific winner Special Rate (runs in the 4.00); this shorter trip a concern but he is worth considering.
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: 51U/32 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; strong-pulling front runner; went up 22lb after making all to win a Thurles maiden hurdle by 43l in March 2022 (2m1f, yielding); pulled hard in novice handicap chases on his two starts for current yard on return from a 621-day break this term, finishing last of three and last of two; plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

13th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Salamanca Bay

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: L J Morgan

Free-goer who was useful in his prime and was in front before last-fence fall over C&D (good) on last month's stable debut; subsequent 2lb rise is manageable and, providing his confidence has not been affected, he's an obvious contender.

11/8

3

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Perth

Salamanca Bay

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Back in better form the last twice, then sold for £7,000; gained his sole chase win off 7lb higher and can't be dismissed on debut for another new yard (his fifth).

5/1

2nd

5

13th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

Salamanca Bay

11st 7lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Should be well handicapped and he ran well for a long way when a 4l third behind Jet Of Dreams at Chepstow (2m, good); perhaps went off a bit too hot that day and has to be of interest.

15/2

Form: -12715 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; has won on soft ground, but best form has been on good/good to soft, including his wins at Newcastle (2m4f, good) and Cartmel (2m5f, good to soft) last year; well beaten at Wetherby last month (2m3f, soft) when rider reported he was too free; this shorter trip might suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

28th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

14:45 Wetherby

Marshalled

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Better chaser than hurdler, last win being in a Cartmel handicap chase in August (2m5f, good to soft); well beaten last twice; could go well but better on faster ground than is forecast.

7/2

4th

1

16th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

16:32 Kelso

Marshalled

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

prominent early, raced in third after 1st, outpaced from 4 out, lost third after 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out

8/1

5th

5

25th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 3

14:25 Wetherby

Marshalled

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

10yo who makes his first start since last August but he did well for his new yard last year, winning twice (2m4f/2m5f, good/good to soft), and he's also effective on soft; the betting may be informative on his return.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £3.80
Straight Forecast £4.20
Trifecta £6.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Escapeandevade

POSTDATA:

Dubai Days

RP RATINGS:

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TOPSPEED:

Escapeandevade

The Times:

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Telegraph:

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The Guardian:

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Daily Mail:

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D Express:

Escapeandevade

The Star:

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Daily Record:

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Daily Mirror:

Dubai Days

The Sun:

Dubai Days