14:45 Kelso

Sunday 14 January 2018

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:4515:1515:45

Persimmon Homes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 52.00s

The Delray Munky²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 98

10/1

Ran well here in a 2m2f maiden hurdle last year, though has been going backwards so far this term. Gets in on a mark that should give her a squeak, despite topweight and is interesting now stepped up to this trip.

Form: 42-093

Minella Suite⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 98

7/1

10-race maiden and has been unable to take any of several likely chances so far, though mainly over fences. Unexposed over hurdles and now 2lb lower than when last seen over them at Wetherby in February. Goes on soft and not ruled out.

Form: 22U-F54

Ange Des Malberaux^b¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 96

7/1

Has won on soft ground and stays 3m, though yet to try this far. Second twice and not far away from 2lb higher in past few months, so slight drop won't harm and could be in the mix.

Form: 143038

Letemgo¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 95

7/1

Won this time last year from 9lb higher mark (2m5½f, soft) but although competitive from similar marks to this on occasions this season, he hasn't been able to repeat that Fontwell effort and others are preferred.

Form: 603536

Herecomesnelson^h1⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 95

28/1

Previously showed a bit of ability in novices' hurdles during 2015/16 campaign. Seen only once in 23-months, however, when last of 12 at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November. Drops 5lb and hood fitted, but hard to fancy him.

Form: 02738/0

Nicki's Nipper^p¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 94

28/1

Won four times at up to 3m3f for Sam England, her best efforts all being on good ground. Conditions are therefore a concern going into this, but she is on a winning mark and couldn't rule out a revival.

Form: 7646P6

Turtle Cask^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 89

16/1

Goes well on soft ground and has won over 3m1½f. Back on a decent mark here (won from 1lb higher in September) and this is his sort of level, so could be seen to better effect than in recent races.

Form: 516830

Topham Bay^t⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 87

6/1

Yet to threaten the principals in any of his nine starts and pulled up on bottomless ground at Hexham last time. No doubt he is on a workable mark and plenty of stamina on sire's side of pedigree, so check market for any clues.

Form: 2FP-65P

Massini's Lady²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 75

14/1

0-14 under rules. Closest she has come to success was when beaten just over 1L into second at Ayr (2m3f, soft) last season, from today's mark. Last seen when runner-up in point-to-point in May, so has fitness to prove as well as ability.

Form: 737P-52

Poetic Presence¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 75

7/1

Won a Hexham point-to-point (good) in May. Since largely been kept to around 3m over hurdles and has run reasonably well on occasions without winning. Hard to see any different from this mark today.

Form: P75346

Rory's Valentine^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: K Scott| OR: 74

22/1

Aside from her debut in an Irish bumper she has been well beaten in all starts under rules, including when making frame last time at Catterick (3m1½f, soft). 5lb drop today looks insufficient.

Form: 08PP-63

Broadway Belle¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 73

11/2

0-17 but sees out 3m3f and was knocking on the door to success in similarly minor events in the early part of last year. Runner-up at Fakenham in November on only other occasion this pilot was up and she could finish in the money.

Form: 2-24529

Son Of Feyan⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 73

16/1

Made the frame here over 2m5f (good) in 2016, but that was a brief moment of oasis in a desert-like career record which reads 0-21. Impossible to recommend him.

Form: 379-085

Beyondtheflame^t,v¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: J C Haynes| OR: 58

150/1

0-20 and like most of the field, a very moderate performer. Well beaten in all starts, including on sole appearance in the frame. A stone out of the handicap and another who is impossible to recommend.

Form: 04P5P5

Forecasts

Broadway Belle (11/2), Topham Bay (6/1), Letemgo (7/1), Poetic Presence (7/1), Ange Des Malberaux (7/1), Minella Suite (7/1), The Delray Munky (10/1), Massini's Lady (14/1), Turtle Cask (16/1), Son Of Feyan (16/1), Rory's Valentine (22/1), Herecomesnelson (28/1), Nicki's Nipper (28/1), Beyondtheflame (150/1)

A race that appears unlikely to live long in the memory and with so many in the field who consistently find winning beyond them, the suggestion is ANGE DES MALBERAUX, who has won over 3m, on soft ground and is on a very competitive mark. The Delray Munky enters calculations and Minella Suite could also finish among the prizes. Nicki's Nipper could pose a threat, though conditions are a concern, while Topham Bay merits a market check.