February 13 / 15.00 Kelso

15.00

Soft

Racing’s Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11882.25
  • 2m 7f 96y
  • Class 2
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Racing’s Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.30

Form: P2-514 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (soft) in December on second chase start; got detached before keeping on for fourth of five, beaten just over 5l, at Windsor (3m, soft) four weeks ago; this lightly raced 7yo might be just the type to benefit from the cheekpieces and he retains potential for his good yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

King Of Answers

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won two small-field handicaps at Kelso (soft/heavy) over the extended 2m7f, easily on penultimate start (made most) despite the odd jumping indiscretion; wore cheekpieces that day and again when an excellent second of 17, coming from out the back, in the NH Chase at Cheltenham (3m6f, good to soft); his jumping can be a bit sticky but he's a prime candidate for 4m.

11/2

2nd

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 201y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

King Of Answers

11st 10lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Twice successful in small-field handicaps at Kelso (soft/heavy) over the extended 2m7f, easily on latest start (made most) despite the odd jumping indiscretion; wore first-time cheekpieces that day, in response to his Windsor run (3m, soft) in which he got going a good deal later even than the winner Guard The Moon; up 10lb since last time but he now looks a prime candidate for serious stamina tests such as this if his jumping holds up.

12/1

1st

6

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

King Of Answers

11st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over C&D (soft) in December on second chase start; got detached before keeping on for fourth of five, beaten just over 5l, at Windsor (3m, soft) four weeks ago; this lightly raced 7yo might be just the type to benefit from the cheekpieces and he retains potential for his good yard.

5/2

4/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 4-1265 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Uncharacteristically below par at Market Rasen four weeks ago; however, he's had a wind op since and two starts ago he ran pretty well when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, soft); this is less competitive than that penultimate assignment and he won here in 2022 on his sole previous run here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Bill Baxter

10st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo won this last year off 126 (yielding); mixed bag this term, undergoing wind surgery after third start and good comeback run when second in 3m Kelso handicap in February; mistakes when pulled up in Topham at Aintree but remains of interest.

12/1

22

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Bill Baxter

10st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Warren Greatrex

10yo who won this in 2023 (soft); he's had his ups and downs since but won at Punchestown (3m, yielding) last May and bumped into a well-handicapped novice when runner-up at Kelso (2m7f, heavy) last time, following wind surgery; could give a good account and be involved.

25/1

2nd

2

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Bill Baxter

11st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Uncharacteristically below par at Market Rasen four weeks ago; however, he's had a wind op since and two starts ago he ran pretty well when sixth in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f, soft); this is less competitive than that penultimate assignment and he won here in 2022 on his sole previous run here.

4/1

Form: /P-222 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (3m, soft) in April 2023 prior to very long absence; this 10yo has been runner-up in beginners'/novice chases on his three starts this season (2m5f/3m), bumping into the classy Wendigo last time, and he could be a contender now tackling a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Maximilian

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Missed 2024 and came up a bit short in his six races since, sent chasing for his five starts this term; shaped as if he stayed when third of five on the step up to 3m4f at Haydock last time but he needs much better than that; perhaps the subsequent wind surgery (his second) will help his cause.

25/1

3rd

2

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

14:45 Haydock

Maximilian

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

A useful winning novice hurdler back in 2022/23; lightly raced since and has failed to win in four small-field events over fences this term, just a fair third of six in 23f Kelso handicap 20 days ago; has his first run beyond 3m here and needs it to spark improvement.

4/1

3rd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Maximilian

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Runner-up in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (3m, soft) in April 2023 prior to very long absence; this 10yo has been runner-up in beginners'/novice chases on his three starts this season (2m5f/3m), bumping into the classy Wendigo last time, and he could be a contender now tackling a handicap.

9/2

Form: 35-14P C

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Won off this mark on his reappearance at Carlisle (3m, good) in October and he's also effective on soft ground; not quite at his best here in November and pulled up at Newcastle later that month, but it's possible he'll get back on track following a 76-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Dare To Shout

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Ann Hamilton

Pulled up over fences at Kelso when last seen out having won a Carlisle handicap chase (3m, good) in October; runs over hurdles for the first time for more than two years (C&D winner in October 2023); second run after wind op.

7/1

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Dare To Shout

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Not really firing on all cylinders since scrambling home by a neck on seasonal debut at Carlisle (3m, good) in October but now 6lb below that mark, and didn't run badly when last of five finishers here (3m2f, good to soft) in March; had another wind op (his third) soon after that latest outing; one to consider.

11/2

5th

3

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Dare To Shout

11st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ann Hamilton

Last win was off a higher mark and he'll appreciate returning to further after chasing home a good thing over 2m4f at Ayr (soft; fine on good ground); that was a welcome return to form; definite chance if he can back it up.

6/1

Form: /43P-4 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
12yo who wasn't the force of old last season but he's dropped down the weights and returned from an absence with an encouraging fourth at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; could show the benefit of that latest outing today, especially now back at a track where he is four from six.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Empire Steel

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Sandy Thomson

Very well handicapped on old form and returned from layoff with quite encouraging run at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) in January but ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when tailed off at Kelso last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.

5/1

5th

4

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Empire Steel

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

12yo who wasn't the force of old last season but he's dropped down the weights and returned from an absence with an encouraging fourth at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; could show the benefit of that latest outing today, especially now back at a track where he is four from six.

9/2

4th

1

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

16:11 Musselburgh

Empire Steel

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

12yo who wasn't the force of old last season and was pulled up last January when last seen; however, he can go well fresh and returns on a reduced mark and with his trainer enjoying a productive winter; not discounted.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: /1P-53 C

Last run: 72 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
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.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.50
Straight Forecast £8.26
Trifecta £17.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

King Of Answers

TOPSPEED:

Bill Baxter

SPOTLIGHT:

Empire Steel

POSTDATA:

Maximilian

The Star:

Elvis Mail

Telegraph:

King Of Answers

Daily Mail:

King Of Answers

D Express:

King Of Answers

Daily Record:

King Of Answers

LAMBOURN:

Bill Baxter

Daily Mirror:

Bill Baxter

The Sun:

Bill Baxter

The Times:

Empire Steel

The Guardian:

Empire Steel