KELSO

4:30 PAT DE CLERMONT HANDICAP CHASE (FOR THE SCOTT BRIGGS CHALLENGE TROPHY) (CLASS 4) (5yo+,0-115) 2m1f

PRIMUS INTER PARES 11-12 ~ Put up a career best effort last time out when winning at Catterick. The front two pulled clear of the field and the 2nd Flake has been running well in handicap hurdles so the form looks decent for the grade. The slightly longer trip seemed to suit as he kept on well at the finish. So the drop back down to 2 miles might be an inconvenience but he has won over the minimum trip before and todays soft conditions should help make this a stiffer test than it otherwise would have been. The son of Sadlers Well has been raised 6lbs for his victory last time out but he is in form and has to be respected.

NORTHERN QUEST 11-7 ~ This 7yo gelding has been progressing nicely for his small stable this season. The handicapper hit him with a 9lbs hike in the ratings after winning a 2 mile handicap at Newcastle. So his performance at Sedgefield on his new rating highlights that the horse is at the top of his game at the moment. He was leading coming to the last but tired up the run in to get piped on the line. A drop back in trip should be more to the horses liking and he could well improve again. The soft ground may not be ideal but he doesn’t need good ground and he isn’t short of stamina over 2 miles so it shouldn’t matter too much. He has been an ultra consistent sort this season with his record reading 4,3,1,4,3,1,2 so another bold bid is expected and he is the one they all have to beat.

CHEER US ON 11-0 ~ The Mick Easterby trained 7yo produced his best effort this season at Sedgefield when first time blinkers were applied. He ran better than the bare form suggests as the 6yo was the only horse to make a race of it with the easy winner and he just tired out of it after the last. The blinkers are reapplied today after being left off the last twice so expect another improved performance. However he never really threatened to win over hurdles and judging by his two runs over the larger obstacles a similar result looks likely.

TON CHEE 11-0 ~ Won a Newcastle handicap chase on his final start last season and on a form line though Sparkling Taff that puts the 9yo in with a chance of beating the top weight Primus Inter Pares. However after being put up 9lbs for that win he has failed to reach the same heights. In fact this season the gelding has been pulled up twice and finished last on the other occasion so despite the fact he’s been dropping down the handicap he looks to have it all to do.

ROYAL GLEN 10-13 ~ Raised 3lbs for finishing 2nd in a Carlisle handicap chase last time out when Great Jane was beaten in 6th. That was decent effort but it wasn’t a great race and the conditions favoured the exposed 10yo. Todays soft conditions are unlikely to suit given all her best form has come on good or faster ground. The mare is also 12lbs higher than her last winning mark so she will have to improve on all known form if she to defy the handicapper.

FIELD ROLLER 10-12 ~ Came back from 19 months off the track when pulled up in testing ground at Ayr. As a result he looks a risky betting proposition to bounce back especially as when he was last seen he was running well on fast summer ground. Todays soft conditions might not suit the horse anymore but hope comes in the shape of the handicapper who has dropped the horse 11lbs in the handicap. That is 3lbs lower than the horse’ last winning mark and in fact the lowest mark he has ever had so he will only need to recapture his 2006 form rather than improve to win. In light of this the 8yo has to enter calculations.

GREAT JANE 10-10 ~ After failing to complete in a couple of races the 6yo mare finished 6th last time out in the race in which Royal Glen managed 2nd. She has a 4lbs pull with that rival but it might not prove enough to reverse the form. The horse seems better suited by further than 2 miles and there is little to get excited about in he form.

FENCOTE GOLD 10-2 ~ Probably the least exposed runner in the race with only 11 career starts and the 8yo appeared to have improved when winning at Bangor. The 2nd Kentmore has gone on to give the form a respectable look for the grade and the well beaten 3rd Fabulous Jet has franked the form by winning two races over fences. He has been raised 7lbs in the handicap for that win but it looks decent form for the grade and he could still have the improvement in him to defy his new mark. He was turned out again at Catterick but the ground was very testing so chances are he wouldn’t have liked it. He unseated at Newcastle so if things go his way today in better conditions than at Catterick then he could well go in again.

CONCLUSION

Shortlist includes Primus Inter Pares, Northern Quest, Field Roller and Fencote Gold.

Field Roller has to prove he is the same animal he was in 2006 but he is up against it with conditions not ideal. The ground maybe softer than he prefers and all his best form has been over further. So despite the handicapper taking a chance he doesn’t make much appeal. Primus Inter Pares is an interesting contender and he should have conditions to suit and as this is only his third run this season he could be on the upgrade. However he will have to off his current handicap mark and he may want slightly further. Northern Quest should improve for the step down in trip and he is the one they all have to beat. His price reflects this though and the ground may have gone against him. He is still respected though but a chance is taken on Fencote Gold who looks unexposed and looks a fair each way alternative.

0.5pt EACH WAY - FENCOTE GOLD @ 10/1

RESULT

FENCOTE GOLD 3rd = + 0.5pt