December 08 / 14.40 Kelso

14.40

Good To Soft

Richard Landale Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39022.5
  • 2m 1f 14y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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Richard Landale Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 4217-1 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Had tough task at the weights when winning graduation chase on reappearance at Carlisle (2m, good) four weeks ago; the handicapper has reacted and he has a good record when fresh, so may not improve for that run, but he was progressive last season (won on soft over C&D) and is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Nells Son

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring.

14/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Nells Son

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive.

33/1

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Nells Son

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here.

12/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 240-21 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Talented novice chaser last season (including on soft/heavy) and he's been in fine form in handicaps at Cheltenham this autumn (2m, good), posting a close second then a win; there could still be mileage in this front-runner's mark and another bold bid can be expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Matata

12st 0lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Something to prove regarding current form although he didn't take to the National fences when pulled up mid-race in the Topham at Aintree last week; this is a lower grade than he's used to contesting and he's capable of playing a big role if back on song now returned to conventional fences.

14/1

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Matata

11st 13lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Better than ever when easily winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) on New Year's Day and on that evidence this 5lb higher mark isn't necessarily beyond him; however, two lesser runs have followed; has to get back on track.

25/1

5th

9

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Matata

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Nearly all races at around 2m1f and the step up to 2m4f was clearly a stretch behind Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 last April; coped better with the trip when a convincing winner of a C&D handicap (good; has won on soft) in January but a lesser effort followed at Windsor and he aims a lot higher here.

33/1

Form: 7441-3 CD BF

Last run: 63 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Last season was bookended by wins over C&D (good to soft) and at Ayr's Scottish National meeting (2m, soft); reappeared with fair third here in October and could build on that run today; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Tommys Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

11yo who snapped a losing sequence at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) last month and it was a stronger race than this in which he was fourth of 11 at Haydock (2m4f, good) last Wednesday; every chance he'll be in the mix.

11/2

4th

1

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Tommys Oscar

11st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Veteran who made his name as a two-miler and the slow pace helped when making his first foray over 3m a successful one at Carlisle (good to soft; effective on good); solid second the run before over 2m4f but a 5lb rise for last time could be troublesome.

12/1

1st

1

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Tommys Oscar

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Smart at around 2m in his prime and was creditable second off today's mark in valuable Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) five weeks ago but has stamina to prove on first venture beyond about 2m4f under rules.

9/4

Form: 1512-3 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Two heavy-ground handicap wins during last season's novice campaign (including C&D) and he ran well for a long way in a Listed race at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) on last month's reappearance; only six and could build on that latest effort now back down in trip; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 1

13:10 Ayr

Traprain Law

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Running well in the main this season, winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) in December and good third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in January last time; this two-time course winner was runner-up in this race two years ago and could again have a part to play.

4/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

Traprain Law

10st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Runner-up to progressive winner at Kelso (2m1f, soft) last month then went one better at Wetherby (1m7f, soft; by 3l); he remains 3lb lower than when third in this last year (good to soft) and could be firmly involved.

11/2

4th

8

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Traprain Law

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Behind a couple of these when seventh in last season's Grand Annual here but this dual chase winner has the benefit of a positive recent run at Kelso on good ground that would have been lively enough for him; should run well.

6/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: P33-2P D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
10yo who was pulled up at Ascot last month but he's never really shone on his southern raids; two starts ago he went very close off this mark over C&D (good) on his reappearance and is capable of playing a leading role if leaving his latest run behind; has won on soft ground in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Malystic

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now who isn't as good as he was and has predictably lost some of his old speed; hasn't been running badly in handicaps at about this trip but looks vulnerable.

8/1

2

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 213y

Class 2

15:13 Stratford

Malystic

11st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Peter Niven

On a good mark but an 11yo now and has lost some of his old zip; ran okay at Uttoxeter last time but got outpaced when it mattered and was never threatening; what will help here is the likelihood of a good pace and some rain; respected.

10/1

4th

3

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Malystic

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Peter Niven

An 11yo now and, in first-time cheekpieces, finished well behind at Ayr in a race he had done well in previously; this wouldn't be so demanding and his penultimate effort was quite encouraging; by no means ruled out.

14/1

Form: F231-F D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Having been outpaced he was closing on the winner Matata when falling at the final fence on his reappearance at Cheltenham (2m, good) three weeks ago; last season concluded with a win at Perth (2m, soft) and he's one to be interested in this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Gunsight Ridge

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mike Sowersby

Wasn't disgraced in finishing third of six over 2m4f at Uttoxeter on stable debut but he's not as good as he was and an 11yo now.

50/1

3rd

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Gunsight Ridge

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Mike Sowersby

Smart at his best for Olly Murphy but last season never got off the ground and he's moved yards.

10/1

Form: F1-844

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won a novice chase at Tramore in April for Henry de Bromhead but well beaten on final two runs for that yard and it was the same story on last month's stable debut at Ayr; 6lb out of the handicap today; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:55 Perth

Gua Du Large

11st 12lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Won two hurdles and a novice chase in Ireland but hasn't been overly competitive in four chases for current yard; looks best watched for now.

50/1

1

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:55 Perth

Gua Du Large

11st 12lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Won two hurdles and a novice chase in Ireland but hasn't been overly competitive in four chases for current yard; looks best watched for now.

50/1

5th

3

11th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:10 Ayr

Gua Du Large

11st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: R Mike Smith

held up in rear, headway after 7th

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.00
Straight Forecast £26.44
Trifecta £92.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Traprain Law

POSTDATA:

Gunsight Ridge

WEST COUNTRY:

Matata

Daily Record:

Nells Son

TOPSPEED:

Malystic

The Sun:

Matata

RP RATINGS:

Traprain Law

The Times:

Traprain Law

Telegraph:

Traprain Law

D Express:

Traprain Law

Daily Mirror:

Gunsight Ridge

The Star:

Gunsight Ridge