Walford hopes Miss Amelia can make her mark at Kelso

Mark Walford is looking for a big run from his Yorkshire raider Miss Amelia in today’s feature race at Kelso.

The Henry Brooke-ridden mare faces ten rivals in the £13,000 Straw Max Straw Pellet Bedding Handicap Chase over 2m 1f.

Sheriff Hutton-based Walford said: “She has been pretty consistent all through last season and this is another nice race to aim for. Henry knows her well and they won three races together in 20-21.”

The opposition to Miss Amelia includes Cedar Hill, a faller four out at Ayr last time, Sue Smith’s recent narrow Sedgefield scorer Valence D’aumon and Lucinda Russell’s trio comprising Vengeur De Guys, Ain’t My Fault and Mint Gold.

Brooke is also aboard another mare, Chanting Hill, as the combination try to follow up their course romp in March in the Bedmax Handicap Chase over a marathon 3m 3f.

Nick Alexander’s sevenyear-old stormed clear by sixlengths and a 5lb rise in her rating may not stop her scoring again as she tackles this longer trip from the first time.

Last month’s Highland National runner-up Mance Rayder could go close again under recently crowned Champion Conditional Rider Danny Mcmenamin.

Elsewhere, Law Of The Sea can prevail for Frankie Dettori in the Chester Vase.

Dettori arrives for day one of the Boodles May Festival on the Roodee fresh from the 20th Classic success of his famous career on Mother Earth on Sunday.

He swaps one set of renowned silks for another in Chester's Derby trial, representing Godolphin this time as well as old allies John and Thady Gosden.

Law Of The Sea has already advanced his Epsom claims with two highly encouraging victories, albeit in low-profile surroundings, on Kempton's Polytrack in January and then on his turf debut at Leicester last month.

There was a dramatic improvement at Kempton, from an underwhelming debut, when moving up to a mile and a half for the first time - and then three months lateratleicester,hewasaclass apart.

The form of both races leaves Law Of The Sea well below several rivals here on ratings - including Godolphin's own better-fancied Wirko - but his rate of improvement is eyecatching, and he may be the surprise package.