December 29 / 15.13 Kelso

15.13

Good To Soft

AJA Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4967
  • 3m 2f 39y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
AJA Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 08-P03

Last run: 44 days

W: 12st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Emerged from long spell in the doldrums with commendable third from 18lb out of the weights in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, good) last month; it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood again here but he'll be very hard to beat off his current mark if he is.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:50 Newton Abbot

Back On The Lash

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to rear 10th, lost touch 13th, pulled up before 14th

8/1

3

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:50 Newton Abbot

Back On The Lash

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Very inconsistent in recent years but proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase at Cheltenham (3m5f, good) in November, and his run in a conventional chase there (3m4f, good) three weeks ago was a fair bit better than eventual 46l defeat might suggest; in calmer waters here and not discounted.

8/1

7th

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Back On The Lash

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Proved he retains ability when commendable third from out of the weights in cross-country chase here (3m5f, good) in November but his subsequent form in orthodox handicap chases is not compelling.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1927-5

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Won by 20l off this mark for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft) just over a year ago and should also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination, but he has become very inconsistent in recent years and was soundly beaten on recent seasonal/stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Foxboro

11st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Four-time chase winner for Robert Walford (2m4f-3m6f, good-soft) but out of form for new stable this season (three runs); very well handicapped now but needs to be perked up by a change of headgear here.

20/1

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Foxboro

10st 8lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard.

25/1

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Foxboro

10st 8lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard.

25/1

Form: 63P-66 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Placed off 3lb higher in North Wales National at Bangor (3m5f, heavy) in February but has been well beaten on all three starts since, most recently when upped to 4m and fitted with cheekpieces (retained) for Borders National here three weeks ago; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Haute Estime

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Only beaten 4l in this last year when 5lb higher and best run since was her latest when runner-up at Kelso (3m2f); although some 14l off the winner, she was on the back foot after early interference and ran well all things considered; respected.

8/1

10

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Haute Estime

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Only beaten 4l in this last year when 5lb higher and best run since was her latest when runner-up at Kelso (3m2f); although some 14l off the winner, she was on the back foot after early interference and ran well all things considered; respected.

8/1

3

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:13 Kelso

Haute Estime

11st 8lb

J: Mr Nick Orpwood

T: Lucinda Russell

Placed off 3lb higher in North Wales National at Bangor (3m5f, heavy) in February but has been well beaten on all three starts since, most recently when upped to 4m and fitted with cheekpieces (retained) for Borders National here three weeks ago; needs to turn a corner.

7/1

Form: 22/5/2 C

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Former pointer/hunter chaser who bumped into a revitalised opponent when second in Wetherby handicap (3m, good to soft) on last month's seasonal/stable debut; has a big role to play if that run brought him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 4

14:25 Ayr

Senor Lombardy

12st 2lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Nicky Richards

0-12 over fences but has won a bumper, a hurdle and five points; creditable second to a subsequent dual winner at Wetherby in October (3m, good to soft) but an early casualty next time; contender.

9/2

4

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:13 Kelso

Senor Lombardy

11st 6lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Nicky Richards

in touch with leaders, fell 1st

9/4

4

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 4

15:13 Kelso

Senor Lombardy

11st 6lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Nicky Richards

Former pointer/hunter chaser who bumped into a revitalised opponent when second in Wetherby handicap (3m, good to soft) on last month's seasonal/stable debut; has a big role to play if that run brought him on.

9/4

Form: 125-35 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner; ran quite well when third on seasonal debut at Ayr (3m, good to soft) in October but was a fair way behind Senor Lombardy when fifth at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) last month and would appeal more on soft/heavy ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:02 Hexham

Camp Belan

11st 3lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Lucinda Russell

Has won over 3m2f on soft at Kelso; sound reappearance run when third at Ayr in October (3m, good to soft); rather disappointing since; fell in this race two years ago; has a bit to prove.

12/1

11th

1

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Camp Belan

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Chase record is 2-22; regressive this season but this drop back to Class 5 may prompt a turnaround; won at Ayr on last attempt in this grade.

10/1

11th

1

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Camp Belan

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Chase record is 2-22; regressive this season but this drop back to Class 5 may prompt a turnaround; won at Ayr on last attempt in this grade.

10/1

Form: PP3P-P C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Regressive 10yo; seemingly boosted by change of headgear when placed in a quite valuable series final at Carlisle (3m, heavy) in April but was pulled up on next two outings, the latter his seasonal debut four weeks ago; goes in refitted blinkers today; can't be supported with any confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Hold The Note

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Ewan Whillans

Winless since early in 2023 and didn't get going last season; tumbling in the weights but others are more appealing.

20/1

7

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Hold The Note

10st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Ewan Whillans

Winless since early in 2023 and didn't get going last season; tumbling in the weights but others are more appealing.

20/1

Form: -PP9P6

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row for Gordon Elliott in August/September 2023 but pulled up on final two starts for that yard and has also struggled on his first three outings for this stable; needs to prove some ability remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 54584- C

Last run: 248 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Eight-time chase winner on soft/heavy ground (once here); on a good mark now (even though 1lb wrong today) but was out of form at the end of last season and refused to line up for intended reappearance run three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Skyhill

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Alison Hamilton

Lightly raced since a 3m2f win in late 2024; pulled up after an absence at Kelso over Christmas and he's a 13yo now.

25/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Senor Lombardy

RP RATINGS:

Back On The Lash

The Times:

Camp Belan

D Express:

Skyhill

POSTDATA:

Back On The Lash

Daily Mirror:

Back On The Lash

THE NORTH:

Senor Lombardy

Telegraph:

Senor Lombardy

The Sun:

Senor Lombardy

The Star:

Senor Lombardy

Daily Record:

Senor Lombardy