Bet365 Handicap Chase – 1.10 Kelso – Saturday 28th February

The Bet365 Morebattle Hurdle at 3.30 at Kelso on Saturday is a race I’m itching to back one or two contenders, but with some running plans still up in the air somewhat, you may have to wait until final declarations for that.

Instead, the Bet365 Handicap Chase at 1.10 at Kelso that opens their excellent Saturday card is well worth looking at, and with just enough bookmakers pricing it up at this midweek ante-post stage and every one of them offering over the odds on the horse I fancy to run well, there is a 1-star * WhichBookie ante-post bet to be had.

At 25/1 each-way with William Hill, Paddy Power and Sky Bet, Donald McCain’s Bleu D’Enfer is the horse in question, and with Bet365’s 14/1 the bottom price still very much value in my eyes, he is a bet down to anything approaching single figures.

Bleu D’Enfer has had four starts since joining McCain, and at Musselburgh in valuable races over 2m4f the last twice, he has strongly suggested that his turn might be nearing. Saturday’s race represents a significant drop in grade from either of those two Musselburgh races, and the drop in trip can also suit.

On penultimate start in a competitive 0-145, Bleu D’Enfer looked all set to play a hand in the finish until unluckily slithering on landing, pecking the turf and from there all chance was gone. He would have given the re-opposing winner Breizh River a real race.

Then last time in the Scottish Champion Chase, which was chock full of classy handicappers and won by a genuine near-Grade 1 quality animal in JPR One, Bleu D’Enfer again travelled well and was only beaten 7¾ lengths.

The 25/1 is a wild underestimation of the level that Bleu D’Enfer has been performing to and given he is now into a 0-130, that price is well worth taking.