Amateur Jockeys' Association Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 4m 49.00s

Craig Star^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Abbie McCain⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 116| BF| C

5/2

Inching up the weights, and looks to have plenty on his plate from this mark, having never won off higher than 105 (2m5f good, Kelso, October). Okay over this trip, but could only plug on into a comfortably held second at Musselburgh latest.

Form: 331U22

Judge Earle⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 113

4/1

Difficult to pinpoint the reason for a couple of below par efforts during November, but was on an upward curve prior to then (as a novice). Ability to handle cut an unknown, but tries handicapping now with a talented 7lb claimer booked to ride.

Form: 67-1266

Un Guet Apens^b¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Kit Alexander| T: J Ewart| OR: 112| C

15/8

Had his optimum conditions when scoring by a neck over fences here ten days ago (2m5f+). Switches back to hurdles in order to try to exploit a favourable handicap mark, and whilst the trip is short enough, he must have every chance.

Form: 22-1641

U Name It³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 105

33/1

Has looked a shadow of his former self since returning from a lengthy absence in October, with form figures reading P,P,P. Dropped 10lb by the assessor since his last appearance at Catterick in December (3m1f).

Form: PP5/PPP

Make It Happen^t¹²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Cameron Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 100| CD

3/1

His overall career profile isn't totally convincing, but there's no crabbing his C&D record (1,2). Appears to be effective on all types of ground, and returns to action having been absent since September when beaten 2L by Endeavour (C&D, good).

Form: 1/4PP8-2

Forecasts

Un Guet Apens (15/8), Craig Star (5/2), Make It Happen (3/1), Judge Earle (4/1), U Name It (33/1)

A small field for the opener at Kelso, where conditions will be fairly testing following a combination of snow-melt and precipitation. UN GUET APENS is the obvious angle following his victory over fences here earlier in the month, and whilst he drops in trip (not ideal), his mark over hurdles is an appealing one in comparison to his mark over fences, and this track clearly suits him well (2,2,1). Of the remainder Craig Star races from a tough looking mark, U Name It is out of sorts, whilst both Make It Happen (solid over C&D) and Judge Earle appear to be much better suited by faster conditions.