Coltherd has high hopes for pair at Kelso

Son partners top-weight Sharney Sike in nine-strong field

Stuart Coltherd is hoping for big runs today at Kelso from SHARNEY SIKE and Doubledisdoubledat.

The Selkirk raiders are part of a ninestrong field for the Bedmax Handicap Chase over 3m 4f.

Coltherd, whose son Sam partners top-weight Sharney Sike, commented: “Sam has been a bit unlucky on Doubledisdoubledat, that’s the only reason we’ve decided to change. I’d say there isn’t much between them and they are both well.

“They have both got a chance and a 1-2 would be nice although I’d settle for a winner! I wouldn’t like to choose between them and the only reason we are running two is that there is a shortage of these type of races.”

Among the opposition to the Coltherd pair are Jackie Stephen’s Mo Rouge, a winner over hurdles at Kelso in 2014, and Scenic Star, a rare runner at the borders venue for Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The most valuable race on the card is the £11,000 Brown Shipley Handicap Chase over 2m 1f and featuring joint top-weights WITNESS IN COURT and Ifandbutwhynot.

Donald McCain’s Witness In Court takes a drop in class after contesting Grade 3 company at the Aintree and Cheltenham festivals. Alan King can strike a blow for the jumps division by saddling WHO DARES WINS to victory in the 188Bet Chester Cup.

The five-year-old has been kept busy over hurdles during the winter, and even ended up finishing third in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

But connections now go chasing the big bucks in the flagship race of the May meeting on the Roodee – and it looks a ploy that could have been executed to perfection.

Who Dares Wins should be pretty fit from the jumps and races at Chester off a nice weight.

He also has the assistance of Tom Marquand, who rarely lets anyone down.

SELECTIONS:

CHESTER: 1.50 Emilia James, 2.25 Alluringly, 3.00 Majestic Hero, 3.35 WHO DARES WINS (NAP), 4.05 Stradivarius, 4.35 Bristol Missile, 5.05 Gin In The Inn.

KELSO: 2.15 Donapollo, 2.45 Full Shift, 3.20 Pikarnia, 3.55 Mo Rouge, 4.25 Suprise Vendor, 4.55 Lotus Pond, 5.25 Bumbles Babe.

DOUBLE: Who Dares Wins and Lotus Pond.