National favourite Cloth Cap takes tried-and-trusted route for Trevor Hemmings

2.40 Kelso
bet365 Premier Chase (Listed) | 2m7½f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

The Premier Chase at Kelso is probably held in the popular imagination as Trevor Hemmings' Grand National trial. Ballabriggs ran in the race both the year he won at Aintree and the following season, while Many Clouds used it as a prep for his unsuccessful Grand National defence.

Besides Ballabriggs, Auroras Encore also ran in the Premier Chase before his National win and, like Ballabriggs, he was also unsuccesful at the Borders track.

Trial is the watchword when it comes to joining this event with Aintree, partly because of the non-handicap conditions but mostly because of the proximity. A hard race over three miles as little as six weeks out from the Grand National is not seen as ideal these days.

Hemmings has not had a Premier Chase runner since Many Clouds, but his silks are the focus of attention this year with two of the six runners. The first string is Lake View Lad, which reflects his better chance of winning this race. Cloth Cap, who would be half a stone better off in a handicap, is the primary hope for Aintree.

On these terms, Cloth Cap has quite a bit to find with four of his five rivals. The other, Cool Mix, is an admirable handicapper but a rightful outsider. That may even be part of the reason why Cloth Cap, joint-favourite for the Grand National with Tiger Roll now out, was declared for this race rather than the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster. That is a handicap, in which he may have endured a more strenuous race.

As it is, this Premier Chase looks very much towards the upper end of its wide range – the last two winning performances alone had 21lb between them on RPRs. Definitly Red came out on top a year ago, putting up the best performance in the race since it gained its Listed status in 2013. The penalty he carries for that win takes him off the top of the weight-adjusted ratings this time.

Instead, Aso is weighted to win on the strictest terms and his best recent run was last time out. That came at Warwick last month in which he finished second to the aggressively ridden Two For Gold having chased him for most of the way.

The weights swing in Aso's favour here by a chunky 9lb, although it could be argued that conditions do not.

Two For Gold is still establishing his profile and he is the youngest runner in this race. Indications from his novice season that he is a pure stayer have not borne out in results this winter, but it is still fancied that three miles or further will suit him best.

Before he won at Warwick he was third to Double Shuffle at Kempton over 3m and was gaining at the line. What brought him success last time was not so much speed as aggression. Similar tactics have a tendency to pay off at Kelso – admittedly more so on the hurdles course – and David Bass needs less encouragement than most.

Bold rides on rivals and relatively few fences in the closing furlongs are, incidentally, what delivered Lake View Lad success in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December. It also brings him the maximum penalty in this race, and with one eye likely to be on Aintree, it would probably take a similarly charmed run through for him to deliver Hemmings another Premier Chase.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

'He's in grand form and we're desperate to get him out'

At the end of a week when he emerged as the new general favourite for the Randox Grand National, Cloth Cap gets the chance to further his Aintree aspirations in a notably strong running of the Premier Chase.

Cloth Cap has been put up 12lb for winning the Ladbrokes Trophy in November off a feather weight and faces some stern opposition, but the ground conditions will suit in a race very much viewed as a prep for the National on April 10.

"It's a tough race, but it's a matter of getting a run into him," said trainer Jonjo O'Neill. "He's in grand form and we're desperate to get him out. The drying ground wouldn't do him any harm. There's only one plan and it's not a hidden secret."

Following the withdrawal of dual National winner Tiger Roll at Tuesday's forfeit stage because of an "unfair weight", Cloth Cap heads the market at a best-priced 14-1 for the Aintree showpiece, for which he has been allotted 10st 5lb.

"We need to get this race out the way first, but hopefully all roads will lead to Aintree," said O'Neill. "It's been the plan for the last two years, but it's working out this year up to now. He goes a good old gallop and stays well, and hopefully he can jump like he did at Newbury."

Cloth Cap's owner Trevor Hemmings, who has run his key National contenders in the Premier Chase before, is also represented by Lake View Lad, a general 33-1 shot for Aintree.

What the rest say

Nick Alexander, trainer of Lake View Lad
He didn't really run his race at all at Sandown, but he's never gone well right-handed. He had a long journey down there and didn't seem as fresh going out on to the track as I'd hoped he would be. It's a really good renewal, but this is much more suitable for him. He's effective on heavy ground, but I think the good to soft ground will be fine for him.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Definitly Red
He won the race last year, but it's a bit more competitive this time. It's a prep run for the National, he's in good form and we're really happy with him. He's not had the best of seasons so far and he fell last time, which is unlike him, but a horse came across him. He's been fine since and I've just been waiting for the better ground.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Two For Gold
It was a good performance at Warwick last time, but Aso is far better off with us. The long-term plan is the Topham at Aintree, but that's a long time to wait so we're taking in this race.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Cool Mix
He's got a few pounds to find against these, but he likes top of the ground and has been running well this season. He's won at Kelso before and hopefully he'll outrun his odds.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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