totescoop6 Premier Kelso Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 4m 53.57s

Capitaine^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142

9/4

Defeats at Haydock and Sandown were attributed to dead ground. Had conditions to suit last time and let supporters down again. Turned out quickly and one to have reservations about given the forecast conditions. He does have the best form of these and stable are 2-3 here with hurdlers

Form: 2124P1-

Chalonnial⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 138

4/1

Won a minor race at Bangor before dictating a steady pace at Sandown next time. Does not have much to find with Capitaine on that showing with a 3lb pull in the weights and ground conditions to suit.

Form: 13-

Fairlee Grey⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Jan Faltejsek| T: G A Charlton| OR: 130

5/1

Winner of a weak race last time but could hardly have been more impressive. Has a lot to find at this level but he will tear off in front and the opposition will need to be wary.

Form: F-

Mount Mews³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 133

11/8

Highly regarded by trainer who has carefully plotted his route to Cheltenham. Unbeaten here including an emphatic victory over Sam Spinner who has won both starts since. Only blemish is an odds-on defeat at Wetherby when he hit the front too soon. Race looks set up nicely for him and a big run is anticipated.

Form: 1-11

Non-Runners

Mirsaale²⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: K Dalgleish J: Brian Harding

Forecasts

Mount Mews (11/8), Capitaine (9/4), Chalonnial (4/1), Fairlee Grey (5/1), Mirsaale (10/1)

Capitaine is proving expensive to follow. Doubts have been raised about his effectiveness on this ground and his appetite for a battle is unproven.. Preference is for MOUNT MEWS who is held in high esteem by his trainer. He is not that far behind Capitaine on form and could have more left in the locker than we have seen thus far. Chalonnial is a rare runner here for his top yard. He is hard to judge having set a slow pace last time and winning a weak race prior to that. If his performance in the Tolworth Hurdle can be relied upon he might give the selection most to do.