May 26 / 16.35 Kelso

16.35

Good To Soft

Ponsse UK Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 7f 96y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
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Ponsse UK Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3334P-

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Had jumping issues on both appearances in March and needs to put things right on that front here, but this return to a left-handed track ought to be in his favour and he's a big player in this uncompetitive race if judged on the form he showed when third three consecutive times (2m1f-3m) last autumn/winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

30th Jun 2024

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:55 Cartmel

Baron Briggs

10st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Returned from a break to win a novice handicap at Kelso last time (2m7f, good to soft; Toucan Sam 8l back in third but 9lb better off); up 5lb; chance.

5/2

1st

5

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Baron Briggs

10st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Had jumping issues on both appearances in March and needs to put things right on that front here, but this return to a left-handed track ought to be in his favour and he's a big player in this uncompetitive race if judged on the form he showed when third three consecutive times (2m1f-3m) last autumn/winter.

3/1

1st

5

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Baron Briggs

10st 8lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Had jumping issues on both appearances in March and needs to put things right on that front here, but this return to a left-handed track ought to be in his favour and he's a big player in this uncompetitive race if judged on the form he showed when third three consecutive times (2m1f-3m) last autumn/winter.

3/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 8/95P-

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden; did not jump well enough when last of five on chasing debut at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in March and has since been pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) at Hexham; may fare better on the quicker surface here but still looks too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Derwent Dealer

10st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Danny Brooke

Eight-race maiden; did not jump well enough when last of five on chasing debut at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in March and has since been pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) at Hexham; may fare better on the quicker surface here but still looks too risky.

16/1

2nd

7

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Derwent Dealer

10st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Danny Brooke

Eight-race maiden; did not jump well enough when last of five on chasing debut at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in March and has since been pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) at Hexham; may fare better on the quicker surface here but still looks too risky.

16/1

8

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Derwent Dealer

10st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Danny Brooke

Modest form over hurdles; didn't jump particularly well when last of five on chase debut at Sedgefield last month (3m3f, soft; first run after a wind op); bit to prove.

12/1

Form: PP6-22

Last run: 11 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two hunter chases this month, latterly when second of four behind a 14yo at Perth (3m, good to soft) 11 days ago; evidently in good heart but needs to prove he can be competitive off his recently revised handicap mark (previous BHA rating was 23lb lower).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

8th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

His mark continues to fall but this 7yo remains a maiden after 21 rules starts and recent evidence doesn't indicate a win is imminent.

25/1

10

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Toucan Sam

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

Made it 0-20 under rules when pulled up over fences at Ayr last week; however, before that he posted two fair runs over hurdles (2m5f/2m) and shaped as though he would benefit from this longer trip; well treated on last spring's chase form; could appreciate the return to hurdling; interesting.

33/1

9

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 13lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

19-race maiden; placed in handicap, a couple of hunter chases and in two points last year; two fair runs over hurdles this term after wind surgery; well handicapped but others appeal more.

20/1

Form: 1/2/9- D

Last run: 77 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner when fitted with cheekpieces in early 2022, latterly in quite valuable 3m series final, but returned from long absence with down-the-field run here in March and the headgear is again missing for this chasing debut; tricky to weigh up at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Goodtimes Badtimes

11st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Placed in three good-ground chases last year, most notably when close second at Sedgefield (2m5f) in October, but has looked out of sorts lately; leap of faith to support him.

10/1

2

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Goodtimes Badtimes

11st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Placed in three good-ground chases last year, most notably when close second at Sedgefield (2m5f) in October, but has looked out of sorts lately; leap of faith to support him.

10/1

2

16th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:30 Musselburgh

Goodtimes Badtimes

11st 11lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

Made it 0-5 over fences when pulled up at Catterick last month but this course hurdle winner was running well in chases previously, finishing second at Sedgefield two starts ago; in the mix if bouncing back.

15/2

Form: 32/36-

Last run: 336 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
0-12 over hurdles and absent since 35l defeat at Hexham last June but went close off today's mark at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) last April and has possibilities if fully tuned up for this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

4th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

Grand Du Nord

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Won a bumper here in April 2021 (2m, good); yet to win over jumps and was well beaten in two handicap chases in the summer; others preferred.

14/1

Form: P6PP-0

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.

33/1

6

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed over hurdles at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown much since; upped in trip for today's chasing debut; big leap of faith required to support her.

33/1

14th

10

10th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

18:20 Sedgefield

Izzy Bell

10st 5lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Maurice Barnes

Placed at 250-1 at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 13 months ago but has not shown a great deal since and is now 0-8 over hurdles; makes handicap debut after 134-day break.

50/1

Form: 44994-

Last run: 73 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Did not show a great deal off lowly marks for Micky Hammond last season and is now 0-12 overall; blinkers the headgear of choice today; 5lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

15th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:27 Hexham

Dark Duomo

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

0-13 under rules (placed in a 2m hurdle when with Philip Hobbs); hard to make a case for based on any form since last November.

25/1

8

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Dark Duomo

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Did not show a great deal off lowly marks for Micky Hammond last season and is now 0-12 overall; blinkers the headgear of choice today; 5lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

8

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Dark Duomo

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Did not show a great deal off lowly marks for Micky Hammond last season and is now 0-12 overall; blinkers the headgear of choice today; 5lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.

14/1

Non-runners

Jeteye

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.80
Straight Forecast £18.43
Tricast £87.36
Trifecta £76.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Baron Briggs

The Times:

Toucan Sam

POSTDATA:

Jeteye

D Express:

Goodtimes Badtimes

The Star:

Jeteye

RP RATINGS:

Baron Briggs

Daily Mirror:

Baron Briggs

Telegraph:

Toucan Sam

The Sun:

Toucan Sam

Daily Record:

Goodtimes Badtimes