14:00 Kelso

Sunday 29 December 2019

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

Children's Immunology Trust Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 6m 6.7s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Smiths Cross³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 126

5/1

Made an encouraging chasing debut after a fair absence at Carlisle in October over 2m but hasn't been able to match that form since. Produced a very tame effort at Sedgefield last time; now tried at a new trip, doubts remain.

Form: 224-3P5

Iwilldoit³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 126

11/4

Progressed well in staying handicap hurdles last year and may well have needed the run when returning over hurdles in a tougher contest last time. Often a strong traveller there's no reason he won't take to this sphere, worth check in the market.

Form: 61612-9

Senor Lombardy^v1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 124| C

6/1

Won his sole Irish point-to-point start and has already won in a bumper and over hurdles. Yet to really get the hang of fences though with two falls already in four runs; his latest two hurdles starts have been below-par, comes with risks attached.

Form: F8-F486

Behindthelines^t⁴⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 122

25/1

Returns after another long break; this will be just his second run back from wind surgery in the middle of 2018. Winner of a 3m novice hurdle he made an inauspicious start to his fencing career when last seen; questions to answer on handicap debut.

Form: 23221/P-

Gipsy Lee Rose²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 120

33/1

Hurdles winner for Joseph O'Brien over 2m3f in novice company she showed some aptitude for chasing on debut for this yard after seven-months off (may have needed the run). Handicap debut off a mark that looks testing enough.

Form: 2P1-36P

Cairnshill²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 118

18/1

Won back-to-back handicap hurdles for this yard earlier this year; has for the most part run to that level since when switched to fences. Highly-tried on last two starts in this sphere; this looks a little easier, just above his last winning mark.

Form: 7223U3

Cuban Pete⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114| D

5/2

Picked up the winning thread straight away over fences having won his previous hurdles start earlier in the year making light of a 10lb higher mark. Ran well enough last time although beaten 10L by one who has run well again since; has more to offer.

Form: 39/61-12

Talkofgold^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: M Todhunter| OR: 105

11/2

Took all the persistent urgings of Danny Cook to get her to score at Hexham last time (hit multiple flat spots). The form didn't look much at the time but the second and third have won since; up 3lb but in a stronger race, looks vulnerable.

Form: 3-24P51

Non-Runners

Duc De Grissay¹⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Forecasts

Cuban Pete (5/2), Iwilldoit (11/4), Smiths Cross (5/1), Duc De Grissay (5/1), Talkofgold (11/2), Senor Lombardy (6/1), Cairnshill (18/1), Behindthelines (25/1), Gipsy Lee Rose (33/1)

The only last time out winner in the race Talkofgold received a terrific ride from Danny Cook to take a race at Hexham but even though that form has been well franked she does look vulnerable here and will need to travel better. This discipline looks as though it will suit Duc De Grissay far better but he needs to improve and Cuban Pete appears the more finished article in this sphere and should go close after running into a useful rival last time. Cairnshill deserves to win a race over fences and will find this a lot easier than the company he has been keeping. IWILLDOIT is taken to make a winning chase debut he’s bound to come on from his Newbury reappearance and looks well weighted.