Le Milos leads betting for Kelso

Subsequently runner-up in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree, his form has been patchy since, winning just once in 11 starts.

Mullins feels the 10-year-old, who has been given a break since finishing fourth of 20 in a two-mile Naas Flat handicap in November, is nicely handicapped on his return to the Scottish track.

“These races are all hard to win, but it looks a good spot for him,” said Mullins. “Fingers crossed he can run his race. Let’s hope he can repeat the magic.”

Sandy Thomson has the Scottish National in mind for Empire Steel should he bounce back to his best on a track he likes.

The nine-year-old has won two and finished runner-up on his three starts at Kelso, although the Berwickshire handler is happy to draw a line under his two runs this season, as his horses were not firing.

He said: “Obviously the horses didn’t look like they were right just after Christmas, which was frustrating. Hopefully, we have got them sorted out and he will bounce back and run his race.

“He likes Kelso, it will suit him. It is a very funny race, because if you look historically, some of the winners have never won another race.

Gentle canters today 🐎 pic.twitter.com/oFb27S4Uou

— Sandy Thomson (@LambdenRacing) March 2, 2023

“It is a funny kind of race, because you get some horses who are looking at it as a prep for the National or something and that is more important than winning the Premier Chase.

“But if he bounces back and runs a nice race, we’ll be delighted and the Scottish National would be in the offing if he did.”

Shropshire trainer Mel Rowley feels she has nothing to lose by running Wishing And Hoping following his 50/1 shock win in the Veterans’ Chase Series Final at Sandown.

The consistent 13-year-old has won five and finished runner-up on as many occasions in his 18 chase starts, and showed plenty of zest when accounting for Ramses De Teillee last time.

Rowley said: “He is very, very well and we thought ‘why not’, as we are slightly restricted where we can go with him. This seemed a good a place as any, as there are only five in it. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“I suppose we might have the advantage, as if our horse never won a race again, because of his age, it wouldn’t matter. His last run is what dreams are made of. That’s why we do it, isn’t it?”

Some performance from Wishing And Hoping 🏇

The 13-year-old springs a 50/1 surprise in the £100,000 @unibet Veterans' Chase Series Final with Alex Edwards & Mel Rowley @Sandownpark

Results > https://t.co/BnGTfBq5GU pic.twitter.com/ENoqlHeqXt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 7, 2023

Zanza brought up Philip Hobbs’ 3,000th winner when beating Hitman by seven lengths in the Grade Two Denman Chase at Newbury three weeks ago.

Should he not take up his first preference, which is in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap at Newbury, he will complete the line-up.

Sounds Russian has dropped out of the race after connections made the decision to veto Kelso in favour of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

bet365 Premier Chase betting odds

15/8 Le Milos

11/4 The Shunter

3/1 Zanza

6/1 Empire Steel

8/1 Wishing And Hoping

View the latest horse racing odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication