![](https://myracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RP_ID00435588-scaled-e1675611330494.jpg)
Race Time: 2.15pm Meeting: Kelso
Distance: 3m 2f
Full Race Name: Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Our tip for the 2.15pm Kelso live on Channel 4 is:
Three and a quarter miles on soft ground or worse will take some getting this weekend, so I fully expect at least half of the field to be pulled up before the winners pass the line. Proven stamina is a prerequisite in my book, so any horse who has failed to win over this distance or further will be virtually scrapped from my mental list, risky as that will be as some will be trying the distance for the first time.
Risky as that seems it instantly deletes top weight Cloudy Too (10/1) who has scored over a furlong less on soft ground which may prove to be a massive mistake, the majority of his wins have been over less and as this looks pretty competitive, I expect a decent early pace which may well test his stamina to the very limits. Twenty-five runners without a winner has to be a concern for a stable as powerful as Donald McCain, but the stats don’t lie, and have to be a major concern for the chances of The Last Samuri (4/1).
Two wins on the bounce at Bangor and Ayr suggesting has plenty of talent, and he was going well before unseating last time out here, but is stable are out of form his jumping is suspect and his experience over fences relatively minimal which means he is not for me and will probably win by a street knowing my luck.
Major Malarkey (7/1) may travel north from the Nigel Twiston Davies yard to take in this contest, and as one of only two course and distance winners in the field, cannot exactly be ignored though he isn’t exactly likely to be improving at the age of twelve, but did hack up in a Hunter Chase over this course and distance when last seen. Looking for an each way option was never going to be easy, but I have finally side with Sun Cloud (6/1) who does at least look as if he has been laid out for the race.
Trained in North Yorkshire by Malcolm Jefferson, the eight year old has won over a lot further at Catterick on heavy ground (three and a half miles to be precise), and arrives here in great form having pulled clear of his field last time out at Sedgefield, which has to be promising. Jockey Brian Hughes has ridden him to three of his four career wins, and seems sure to be reunited with him here, all in all as solid a chance as any horse in the race, and as sensible a choice as any.