WE’RE ON THE FARM
Nicholls ace can be Kelso cream of the crop
WORTHY FARM can bring home the bacon in the Paxtons Handicap Hurdle (3.35) at Kelso.
After scoring at Taunton in November on his handicap hurdles debut, Paul Nicholls’ sixyear-old finished down the field when favourite to follow up at Cheltenham 15 days later.
But normal service was resumed at Ascot in the middle of last month, when Worthy Farm got the better of Trixster in a three-mile event, getting the better of a driving finish by half a length.
The handicapper has put my selection up 7lb as a result of that win, but that may underestimate Lorcan Williams’ mount, who should thrive for the chance to tackle an extra two furlongs. The Liz Adam Memorial
Handicap Chase (3.00) is a good opportunity for SOME CHAOS
to capture his fourth race of the season.
Triumphant at Bangor and Market Rasen in the first half of the winter, the Michael Scudamore eight-year-old suffered defeats at Wincanton and Cheltenham before a 12-length victory back at the Somerset course five weeks ago.
There is an 11lb hike in the handicap to deal with, but Some Chaos is having just his sixth attempt over the larger obstacles, so there should be more to come.
Worthy Farm’s stablemate KUPATANA, seemingly in control when coming down two out at Ludlow, should make amends in the mares’ novices chase (1.50).
CHAMPAGNE CITY scored over course and distance in novice company in May 2017, and he looks attractively weighted in the handicap hurdle (2.25).
At Newbury, STRONG PURSUIT (left) has plenty going for him in the handicap chase (2.05).
The son of Flemensfirth must have put his trainer Philip Hobbs’ patience to the test. He is now nine years old yet has had just seven starts under rules.
The most recent, a fine third to Achille at Sandown last month, was Strong Pursuit’s first for 463 days.
It’s likely that Richard Johnson’s mount will strip fitter after such a lengthy layoff, and a handicap mark of 136 looks within range.
Top weight may not be enough to anchor going-places ELYSEES in the following juvenile handicap hurdle (2.40).