February 28 / 13.10 Kelso

13.10

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £10562
  • 2m 1f 14y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
ITV
View Course
bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 21-323 C

Last run: 43 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Three wins last season (2m, various ground) and ran well to be placed towards the end of last year on first two starts for this yard; faded when upped to 2m5f last month and firmly in calculations now back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Doyen Du Bar

12st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Three wins last season (2m, various ground) and ran well to be placed towards the end of last year on first two starts for this yard; faded when upped to 2m5f last month and firmly in calculations now back down in trip.

7/2

3rd

6

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Doyen Du Bar

11st 1lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Nicky Richards

Won three small-field chases for Pauline Robson last season and was placed on first two starts for Nicky Richards this term, more recently when second at Wetherby (1m7f, soft) just after Christmas; untested beyond an extended 2m1f but is a major player if this new trip suits.

5/2

1st

1

24th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

15:25 Ayr

Doyen Du Bar

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Pauline Robson

made all, went clear going easily after 3 out, nudged out run-in, comfortably

4/5

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 493331 CD

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Changed stables in autumn and has worked his way back into form, making all at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Day in a first-time tongue-tie; back up 4lb he remains well handicapped on his past exploits, including a C&D win in October 2024; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Breizh River

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Win/placed form in his usual cheekpieces before making all for a narrow success in the newly fitted visor (with tongue-tie worn for last seven starts) at Cartmel (2m5f, good); he's getting high in the weights now (raised another 4lb) and he won't be the only one racing prominently.

9/1

1st

3

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 2

16:15 Cartmel

Breizh River

11st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

In fine fettle in recent runs, landing his fifth win over fences at Kelso (2m5f, good) in April and placed since at Aintree and Perth; swaps cheekpieces for a first-time visor and looks sure to give another good account.

3/1

2nd

9

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

Breizh River

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Career bests on the RPR front in his last two races, winning at Kelso (2m5f) and close up at Aintree (2m4f; again on good); could run well, though a nagging concern that he didn't appear to stay 3m when he tried it once before (at this track).

10/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 675622 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Hurdle/chase winner for Gavin Cromwell who has improved with each of his four runs for this yard, most recently close second of five at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft); that looked a warm little race and he's respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Aeros Luck

10st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

Another ex-Gavin Cromwell inmate who secured narrow win over fences at Punchestown (2m, good to yielding) in June; 0-5 for this yard but February's close second of five at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft) on penultimate start was a creditable effort; stable in fine form.

7/1

3rd

5

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Aeros Luck

11st 10lb

J: William Maggs

T: Sandy Thomson

Hurdle/chase winner for Gavin Cromwell who has improved with each of his four runs for this yard, most recently close second of five at Musselburgh (2m, good to soft); that looked a warm little race and he's respected.

6/1

Form: F-2242

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Two wins during last season's novice chase campaign (2m, soft/good) and runner-up on three of his four starts this season, most recently going close at Windsor (2m, soft) behind a progressive winner; climbing the weights in defeat but leading claims today nevertheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

18:37 Chepstow

Torneo

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Jumping let him down in what was effectively a 0-150 handicap here latest (2m3f, good to soft); his string of low-130s RPRs before that read well in tonight's company, however, and although still 9lb above any mark defied he did land a C&D novice handicap last year on one other visit.

Evs

6th

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Torneo

10st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Competitive in all his runs this season but has edged up the weights in the process and all his form is at about 2m; may need to find improvement for this longer trip if he's to defy current mark in this competitive a contest.

7/1

4th

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Torneo

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Two wins during last season's novice chase campaign (2m, soft/good) and runner-up on three of his four starts this season, most recently going close at Windsor (2m, soft) behind a progressive winner; climbing the weights in defeat but leading claims today nevertheless.

9/4

Form: 443-13 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
12yo who has returned to his best this season, defying an absence to win at Listowel (2m1f, yielding to soft) in September before solid third at Haydock (2m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; the drop back in trip may well be a positive and he could be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:38 Wexford

Bythesametoken

10st 4lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Winner here over hurdles and third chase win came in 2m2f Listowel handicap chase last September (off 116) after more than a year's absence; another good comeback run at Haydock in February, not so good at Kelso a fortnight later over shorter trip; this probably the limit of his stamina.

10/1

5th

4

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Bythesametoken

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ross O’Sullivan

12yo who has returned to his best this season, defying an absence to win at Listowel (2m1f, yielding to soft) in September before solid third at Haydock (2m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; the drop back in trip may well be a positive and he could be thereabouts.

7/1

3rd

4

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Bythesametoken

11st 6lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: Ross O’Sullivan

Made light of a 13-month absence when landing 2m1f handicap chase at Listowel in September; 11lb higher today but that form worked out well so this Irish challenger can't be totally dismissed after another layoff.

5/1

Form: 211-48 D

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Made fine start to chasing career last term, winning twice at Ayr (2m, soft); won on good to soft over hurdles; faced tough task on reappearance in November but well beaten in C&D handicap (soft) subsequently on final run for Nick Alexander; can be in the mix on stable debut if rediscovering last season's promise; remains in same ownership.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Hombre De Guerra

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Hasn't got competitive this term and beaten 18l when sixth of eight on stable debut at Kelso (2m1f, good to soft) in February; however, he shaped as though this step up in trip might be a good move and his three wins, including two over fences last January (2m, soft), have all come at Ayr.

14/1

6th

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Hombre De Guerra

11st 11lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Made fine start to chasing career last term, winning twice at Ayr (2m, soft); won on good to soft over hurdles; faced tough task on reappearance in November but well beaten in C&D handicap (soft) subsequently on final run for Nick Alexander; can be in the mix on stable debut if rediscovering last season's promise; remains in same ownership.

12/1

Form: 45-1P5 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Three-time course winner, the latest in September (2m5f, good); the return to Kelso could help, as might the first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces) but he's been disappointing at Newcastle and Musselburgh on his last two starts, and has shown good form there in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

16:12 Kelso

Chapel Green

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over C&D off a 6lb higher mark in September (good); has not fared quite as well since, although more encouraging run when 13l third of seven over 2m1f here last time (good); step back up in trip will suit.

7/1

3rd

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

16:32 Kelso

Chapel Green

11st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won over 2m5f here following a 163-day break last September (good) but rather disappointing since; on a good mark now, but a bit to prove.

14/1

Form: 1-0574

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won at Carlisle (2m4f, good) last April on final run for Stuart Crawford and signs of promise at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) on last two starts, running well for a long way most recently when out of the handicap; runs off proper mark today and the drop back in trip might also be a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:51 Perth

Bleu Denfer

11st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has modest 2-30 strike-rate under rules but kept on well for second at Aintree (2m4f, good) in May and has now filled that position twice since his wind operation in March; could plausibly still have untapped potential over 3m; no surprise if he features.

5/1

4

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

15:55 Market Rasen

Bleu Denfer

11st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Has a modest strike rate of 2-30 but ran his best race over fences when beaten a neck at Aintree (2m4f, good) five weeks ago (with Genois pulled up); holds claims if able to build on that run off 1lb higher.

9/2

2nd

5

15th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Bleu Denfer

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Back from wind surgery he bumped into one well handicapped at Bangor (2m4f, good) and it was a strong race in which he struggled at Haydock; he's no forlorn hope on that penultimate effort.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.10
Straight Forecast £12.20
Tricast £49.22
Trifecta £56.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Doyen Du Bar

SPOTLIGHT:

Torneo

D Express:

Bythesametoken

Daily Record:

Aeros Luck

POSTDATA:

Torneo

LAMBOURN:

Torneo

Telegraph:

Torneo

TOPSPEED:

Doyen Du Bar

The Times:

Doyen Du Bar

The Guardian:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Mail:

Doyen Du Bar

Daily Mirror:

Doyen Du Bar

The Star:

Doyen Du Bar

The Sun:

Bythesametoken