Progressive youngster Le Milos out to enhance smart chasing record

4.10 Kelso
LCS Joinery 50 Years Of Trading Handicap Chase | 2m6½f | 5yo+ | RTV

There is a weight differential of 22lb between the top and bottom in this handicap chase, which includes the usual mix of up-and-coming horses and more established out-of-form campaigners.

Forecast favourite Le Milos falls into the former category, and is the youngest in the field at six.

Third in a good race on his seasonal reappearance on his chasing debut, he showed improvement when winning at Fontwell last time. A 6lb rise doesn’t seem harsh.

The market got this race spot on last year when Crixus’s Escape won easily, and unlike many of his rivals Le Milos has the benefit of a recent run.

Schiehallion Munro arrives on a career-high mark but was in similarly good form when last seen as he was second in two decent races, while Knockoura went up 26lb in the handicap last season and ran a bold race to be third after a 342-day break in December, so cannot be discounted.

Dimple, who has his first run after a wind operation, and Guitar Pete are on fair marks based on their best form, but haven’t shown much recently.

Analysis by Maddy Playle

What they say

Micky Hammond, trainer of Schiehallion Munro
He’s had a break as the races we’ve had him in recently were either off or the ground was too testing – he doesn’t like extremes of going. The trip will suit.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Guitar Pete
He didn’t like the soft ground at Doncaster last time when Brian Hughes looked after him and pulled him up. This will
be a better surface and hopefully he can bounce back. You never know what the old boy will do!

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Le Milos
He’s won well around Kelso before over hurdles so he likes the track, and hopefully this step up in trip will negate the drying ground. He seems well at home and this looks the right race for him.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Court Master
He doesn’t like soft ground, so we gave him a break over winter and this looks a nice starting point. The ground should be to his liking.

Maurice Barnes, trainer of Knockoura
He missed a few races due to the frost, snow and rain over the winter and we hope he can win to get us off that bloody cold list! He has a decent racing weight and should handle the ground.
Reporting by David Milnes

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