Kelso: Winning Chase Debut for Big River

KELSO – Saturday October 28^th

Going - Good

Turf in superb condition once again for the first autumn Saturday meeting.

The form of the maiden hurdle from the previous meeting first by TEMPLE MAN (5th prev.) who won the first division and then by SOME REIGN ,winner of the second division, who was 3 lengths down to Beyond The Clouds last time. The latter is entered at Wetherby on Saturday in a novice event under a penalty but it will take a very good one to beat him. Looking back to the previous meeting KELPIE'S MYTH (sixth having made much of the running) now comes into the equation as a future winner.

The opening heat including a number of animals that look like long term projects and performed encouragingly at this stage. SILVER BULLION is a big boat of an animal sure to come into his own over fences, but possessed sufficient speed to win a bumper and get involved in a five way battle here.

ECHO EXPRESS is more of a hurdling type and looked the most likely winner until headed virtually on the line and should gain consolation in a run of the mill maiden or novice.

ROCKALZARO was bang there all the way to the line as was the free-going POOKIE PEKAN, a definite chasing type, who was headed two out but battled tenaciously to finish a close fourth.

MOORES NOVELTY looked as if the race might do him some good, but loomed up behind the leaders approaching the last before weakening on the run-in

SOME REIGN had to be ridden out to win his maiden, but was doing very little in front and the distances to the others don’t tell of his superiority. Better to come methinks!

TRESHNISH stayed on nicely for second here and looks one to improve over further with experience.

Lucinda Russell's BIG RIVER impressed on chasing debut, potentially the stable star this season with the enforced absence of Grand National winner One For Arthur. He jumps big and bold and could well contest top level staying novice contests this season. Big River's task was made somewhat easier when Paul Nicholls charge GIVE ME A COPPER jinked sharply at the 'chicane' going away from the second fence and unshipped Sam Bowen. The latter seems a keen going sort.

The other three contestants weren't remotely of the class of the winner by well done to Chris Grant, whose ACDC showed promise on chasing bow, and Kenny Johnson who fielded two to hunt round for 3rd and 4th prize money.

The feature handicap chase was won in comfortable style by Nicholls trained AS DE MEE, but he was probably favoured by the small field and doesn't look totally straight forward. WAKANDA ran a sound race on seasonal debut and will strip fitter for this run, while ASH PARK ran well from out of the weights and will be interesting back in a lower class race. FIRTH OF THE CLYDE had stamina to prove here and wasn’t a factor from the home turn, while THE CLOCK LEARY may be a bit high in the handicap now and struggled in this company.

It was good to see Alistair Whillans's MEADOWCROFT BOY win the two handicap hurdle. He was a 137 performer at best but clearly had problems and raced here off 105. He won well enough to suggest he might have a bit in hand at this level and may be able to follow up.

CIVIL UNREST ran creditably in the second, this 0-117 is his level, and he will have his chances in the coming months. ALIZEE DE JANEIRO stayed on for third place and is another capable at this level on her day and a previous course winner.

The Class 4 2m 7f handicap chase had a selection of contestants with plenty of previous offences to be taken into consideration. I’ve been dismissive of HAVANA JACK in the past, but he has worked his way through the hunter ranks and improved enough to win this race. He rallied well when challenged from the last and Leonard Kerr should take credit for the improvement he has coaxed with this animal.

ACHILL HILL BOY raced prominently and harried the winner from two out. He ploughed through the last and couldn’t get back up to the winner but this was decent effort.

NOTONEBUTTWO isn’t the most consistent animal but does get competitive in this class when things fall right. Good thing is that he often starts at a fancy price (33/1 here) and can be worth a little interest where there’s nothing progressive to latch on to.

DOKTOR GLAZ got no nearer than chasing the leaders from two out.

FRENCH SEVENTYFIVE led or disputed to four out and, though held, didn’t completely throw in the towel from four out. He was 10lbs wrong here and if he could perform like this would have a chance in a Class 5 event.

MO ROUGE was out the back most of the way and is not enamoured with steeplechasing.

The card finished with two divisions of a 2m 6f 0-105 handicap hurdle not strong in depth and the results favoured those at the top end of the weights. BUCKLED held off TOO MANY CHIEFS in the first heat, both having won in similar company last term, with the veteran BESCOT SPRINGS showing he retains some ability in third place. The second heat was dominated by less exposed animals at the top of the weights, consistent REIVERS LODGE coming clear from CHAPEL STILE, with CEEGEM staying on for third having been outpaced. If I was taking one from the two heats it would be the latter, though the form looks no better than average for the class.