12:40 Kelso
Sunday 15 January 2017
All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40
Kelso EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier)
- 4YO to 7YO | Class 4 | 2m 6f 151y | Heavy (Soft in places) | 6 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 12:46 | Winning time: 6m 25.21s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Largely consistent since switching to hurdles and landed small field novice contests at Carlisle (October) and Hexham (November). Fifth when stepped up in trip and to handicap company at Haydock, and yet to fully prove this trip is ideal. Difficult task at the weights.
Left Worcester debut bumper form well behind to spring a 40/1 shock over 2m5f at Towcester (Good to Soft) on hurdles debut. Different type of track here, but shouldn't be troubled by forecast testing conditions.
Showed plenty of ability in bumpers scoring with ease on testing ground at the second attempt at Ayr in February 2016. Runner up on hurdles debut, but went one better next time (again at Ayr) when showing determination and proven stamina over 2m4f to justify favouritism.
Showed glimmers of potential in NHF races, most notably on debut when green and unseating rider at Newcastle. Faced with a tough task on hurdles debut in December, he showed more last time at Ayr (third), but will surely be better suited in time in handicaps.
A 17 length runner up to the talented Kelka on hurdles debut at Hexham in November, and quickly stepped up to just shy of this trip for his next start at Wetherby. This yielded another good effort, and in finishing third, he got to within two lengths of a Nicky Henderson trained novice. Obvious chance.
Likely outsider who resumed this season with a distant fourth (at huge odds) in a C&D maiden hurdle last time. This looks on paper a stronger contest.
Forecasts
Progress Drive (9/4), Quietly (11/4), Perfect Pirate (3/1), Ryedale Racer (10/3), Dr West (28/1), Rocku (250/1)
A decent little contest to kick off, with Ryedale Racer burdened with penalties for those pair of early season successes. Perfect Pirate took a big step forward last time on hurdles debut at this trip, but Kelso is a very different test to Towcester. Quietly looks a strong stayer and is generally progressive, but again you wouldn't be 100% certain that this sharper track will suit, so the vote goes to the Nicky Richards trained PROGRESS DRIVE with regular rider Stephen Mulqueen taking off a valuable 5lbs on this top rated (127) runner.
1. Progress Drive
2. Quietly
3. Perfect Pirate
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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