16:40 Kelso
Monday 3 April 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40
Queens Head Hotel Kelso Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 189y | Soft | 8 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 33.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
One time fair sort for Tim Easterby who would appear to be in the twilight of his career. His sole start since the 2015 Scottish National came at Doncaster in December 2016 (stable debut), and that didn't yield too much promise; a tailed off last of four to Parish Business. Dropped 2lb but tough to fancy.
This is far easier than the Listed Lanzarote Hurdle that he tackled last time out at Kempton in January (finished tenth of 13 to Modus). Had been in good form prior to that race, a 2m runner up at Ffos Las and a ¾L 2m4f New Years Eve winner at Uttoxeter, so an obvious contender despite his rise in the weights hailing from a strong stable.
Irish raider who proved her ability on these shores by landing a hat-trick in the spring of 2015 at Newcastle, Sedgefield and Ayr (2m3f to 3m). Fairly quiet with just the four runs since April 2015, but has come down the weights by 11lb, so worthy of a check for market support.
Rockfield Maiden Point-to-Point winner who was a staying on winner of a moderate 2m4f soft ground Ffos Las maiden hurdle last month on just his fourth start for this yard (cost £80,000). Given a mark of 122 for his handicap debut, and possibly tricky to assess, having seemingly run too badly to be true on his first couple of starts for this yard.
Course winner (2m6½f heavy in December 2015), who took advantage of a decent mark when winning by 11L at Ayr in early March (3m). Up 8lb with a change of rider, but is likely to go from the front, with his stamina assured over this half mile shorter trip. Contender with previous form aligned with Rhymers Stone.
Five time winner between May and October 2016 (on decent ground) at upto 3m3f, with this shorter trip and these testing conditions a major concern. Absent since being pulled up in The French Furze Novices Hurdle at Newcastle in November 2016, and opposed on a number of levels.
Three time hurdle winner (twice at Perth), but absent since October 2016 when finishing 3½L second to the Alan King trained Kerrow at Aintree (3m good). This looks a possible precursor to a race at the Perth Festival (later this month), but we do know he handles testing conditions.
Won away from Newcastle for the first time over hurdles over this C&D last weekend when a comfortable 8L winner from Un Guet Apens. This is a grade higher and yet to win a Class 3 event, but useful claimer booked to help offset some of a 7lb rise, and has been in great shape since switching to this trainer.
Forecasts
Rhymers Stone (9/4), Bennys King (9/4), Monbeg Aquadude (7/2), Tantamount (10/1), Another Mattie (14/1), Trustan Times (16/1), Jennys Melody (16/1), Wyfield Rose (33/1)
Michael Scudamore is a fairly infrequent visitor to this track, but he has a couple of realistic opportunities this afternoon, and his six-year-old MONBEG AQUADUDE is of interest on his handicap debut. He cost connections a cool £80,000, and has been slow to show his best form, but having got off the mark at the fourth attempt at Ffos Las recently, an opening mark of 122 could prove exploitable. Bennys King will find this much easier than the Lanzarote Hurdle, with any Venetia Williams trained horse given maximum respect, whilst the in-form recent C&D winner Rhymers Stone might just find this step upto Class 3 company a shade too hot to handle.
- Monbeg Aquadude
- Bennys King
- Rhymers Stone
Prize Money
1st: £5,848.002nd: £1,717.003rd: £859.004th: £429.00
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