13:35 Kelso

Sunday 8 October 2017

All13:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:5017:20

Newcastle Arms Coldstream Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 3m 55.71s

Martila^h³⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 117

5/2

Enjoyed a good first campaign for his current yard and paid his way with a couple of wins and three placed efforts. Races from the same mark as when a good second at Ayr last October and sound claims if he can overcome his time on the sidelines.

Form: 211242-

Prince Khurram^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 116| D

8/1

Went up 17lb after three victories earlier in the season. Held from 1lb higher last time and now looks as if the handicapper has his measure.

Form: 321113

Sudski Star^b,t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 115| CD

11/2

Three time winner at Kelso (one over C&D), so certainly appeals as a horse for the course. Held off similar marks in the past though and now has a bit to prove. Rider's claim helps though.

Form: 351-161

An Fear Ciuin²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 114| BF| D

16/1

Respected for consistency but is still a maiden over hurdles and comes with risks attached for win only purposes.

Form: 3-22242

McKenzie's Friend¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112| D

5/1

Off since being pulled up in his final start for Oliver Sherwood in handicap hurdle at Ludow (2m5F). Inclination that he's better over slightly further is a persuasive factor and the gelding has a bit to prove on his debut for his new trainer.

Form: 2/6035-P

Desert Island Dusk^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 110| D

18/1

Races from 4lb higher than his last win but has coped well with his current rating before; so is no forlorn hope. However, seems to reserve his best for Hexham and comes here with a bit to prove after a disappointing run last time.

Form: 215538

Superior Command^p,t¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 108| C| D

25/1

Has won over fences here but the handicapper says he's at least equally effective over hurdles. Returning from a break, so probably a good idea to use the betting as a guide to expectations on this occasion.

Form: 7F128P-

Newstart^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Kaine Wood⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 107

3/1

Made good progress since joining his current yard and his recent form in Ireland stands up to scrutiny against the best of the rest. Won't mind any cut in the ground, so has a big chance in this company.

Form: 3-22422

Sierra Oscar²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 102

100/1

Registered a win for his former yard, so knows what to do when he gets his head in front. Has a bit to prove after falling on his debut for his current yard but on a handy mark; so has a feasible chance if his jumping holds together.

Form: 981-42F

Rockliffe⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 96

80/1

Dropped to a mark of just 48 for his last start on turf (finished second in a poor seller at Ripon). Two previous starts over hurdles only modest too. Hard to see him being good enough to make it third time lucky.

Form: 44-

Forecasts

Martila (5/2), Newstart (3/1), McKenzie's Friend (5/1), Sudski Star (11/2), Prince Khurram (8/1), An Fear Ciuin (16/1), Desert Island Dusk (18/1), Superior Command (25/1), Rockliffe (80/1), Sierra Oscar (100/1)

Brian Ellison has found the key to NEWSTART, who has lived up to his name since joining the trainer, and this looks well within the compass of the much improved six-year-old. Support for Martila and Superior Command would make for an interesting conundrum, as both are capable of throwing down a strong challenge to the selection but have absences to overcome. An Fear Ciuin is respected as a consistent individual but has yet to win over hurdles and needs everything to go his way if he is going to break his hoodoo.