'It's a race we like to target' - who is eyeing up the Borders National prize?

Sunday: 1.05 Kelso
125 Years Of Bruce Farms Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase | 4m½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Kelso has been a happy hunting ground for the admirable Big River but he faces a tough task as he bids for back-to-back successes in the Scottish Borders National.

Eight of the 12-year-old's nine victories have been at this track but he will need to shrug off top weight of 12st 1lb if he is to emerge victorious in the £50,000 4m½f stamina test.

His rivals include lightly weighted stablemate Buddha Scheme, the improving All About Joe, and three from the Sandy Thomson yard – The Ferry Master, Donna's Delight and Flower Of Scotland – as trainer Lucinda Russell attempts to win the race for a fifth time.

With that aim in mind, Russell is hoping wet weather comes along to improve the chances of Big River.

"He's on a 6lb higher mark than winning it last year and it is not going to be easy," she said. "We could do with some rain for him. He's in good form and the ground was not suitable for him when he ran here last month."

Russell also runs Buddha Scheme, an encouraging third on his reappearance at Ayr last month. "He's moving up in class but he will be suited by the distance and he's already won at the course," she said.

All About Joe will provide stiff opposition, having shown improvement to win at Sedgefield on his last outing.

"There's no pressure on us against the bigger stables," said his trainer Andrew Hamilton, who has just four horses in his yard.

"I do a lot of showjumping and eventing and got this horse from Ireland without even seeing him on a recommendation from a pal. We just wanted a bit of fun with him and he's done great for us.

"I'm sure the distance will not be a problem but whether he will be quite good enough is another matter."

Thomson, who secured the first prize with dual winners Neptune Equester and Harry The Viking, said: "It's a race we like to target. It's near to home but it's also because we have plenty of staying chasers.

"The Ferry Master and Flower Of Scotland both go with a live chance and it's hard to split them, while Donna's Delight is an outsider to consider.

"The Ferry Master lost his way in the Scottish National and the trip was too short for him on his reappearance, but we hope he's back to his best now.

"Flower Of Scotland did nothing wrong at Carlisle. She's very small but it looks like she will stay and she is still a bit of an unknown quantity."

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