15:10 Kelso

Wednesday 9 May 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:15

Belhaven Brewery Handicap Hurdle

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 4  |   2m 6f 151y  |   Good (Good to Firm in places)  |   10 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:10  |   Winning time: 5m 36.1s
The word Sky in blue and Bet in white with a red background.
The word Betfair in black.
The words Paddy Power in green.
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
1
Horse silk
Minstrel Royalp1,t118
Age: 8|  Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Dowson(3)| T: P A Kirby| OR:  112
10/1
His sole career success in 19 starts came over 2m3f at Warwick in April (for Nicky Henderson). Moderate at best since switched to this stable for £5,000, including when runner up in a 2m4f Leicester seller in December. Wears first time cheek-pieces.
2
Horse silk
Danceintothelightt16
Age: 11|  Weight: 11-12| J: Abbie McCain(7)| T: D McCain Jnr| OR:  110
12/1
Winner of 10-119 starts. Grand servant to various connections over the years, striking up a positive relationship with this rider most latterly. Effective on good ground, but obvious stamina concerns over this longer trip.
3
Horse silk
Benny's Secreth19
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR:  110| C
6/1
Back from a break with a modest effort at Ayr last month (3m). However is a three-time winner from six starts at Kelso (2m2f-2m5f), and will relish the ground conditions. 6lb above his last winning mark (November 2017).
5
Horse silk
No Such Numberp,t160
Age: 10|  Weight: 11-8| J: Dale Irving(3)| T: M A Barnes| OR:  106
33/1
Rattled off a four-timer over fences on decent ground last summer, but absent since lining up at Musselburgh in November. Not run over hurdles since November 2015, but has risen 15lb in the weights owing to his chasing gains.
6
Horse silk
Shepherd's Bight115
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR:  105
6/1
Well beaten, but made frame for George Charlton at Carlisle (2m1f) in April 2017. Not shown much in a couple of runs for the Jefferson's, but is open to minor improvement now sent handicapping.
7
Horse silk
Champagne To Go16
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-7| J: Nathan Moscrop(5)| T: R Menzies| OR:  105
11/1
Runner up for Kim Bailey at Newton Abbot in October 2017 (2m5f good), she moved on cheaply for just £1,000 in January. Back to form on her second start for this trainer at Hexham latest (2m4f soft), and this is a more realistic assignment.
8
Horse silk
Graystown22
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd(5)| T: W Coltherd| OR:  105
8/1
A nine race maiden who is slowly slipping down the handicap. Showed up better latest when beaten 8L by the sadly ill-fated Skywards Reward at Carlisle (2m1f soft), but tries a different trip and ground today.
9
Horse silk
Christmas Twenty41
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-2| J: Finian O'Toole(3)| T: Micky Hammond| OR:  100
11/2
Had a few near misses, and is plausibly handicapped off a mark of 100, but his career record of 0 from 20 doesn't inspire confidence. Trip/track fine, but quick ground possibly not so.
10
Horse silk
Witness41
Age: 9|  Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Becky Smith(5)| T: Micky Hammond| OR:  97
5/2
Won over both hurdles and fences on a sound surface in France. Landed a minor touch when scoring for the first time on these shores at Wetherby in March (3m soft), but hit with a 10lb rise in the weights as a result.
11
Horse silk
Chocolat Noirp16
Age: 5|  Weight: 10-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR:  94
14/1
A nine race maiden on the Flat, and win-less in five attempts over hurdles so far. However, hasn't masses of experience in handicap company, and worth a try over this trip.

Non-Runners

4
Horse silk
Elmono14
Weight: 11-11|  Age: 7
T: Miss Lucinda V Russell  J: D R Fox
NR

Forecasts

Witness (5/2), Christmas Twenty (11/2), Shepherd's Bight (6/1), Benny's Secret (6/1), Elmono (7/1), Graystown (8/1), Minstrel Royal (10/1), Champagne To Go (11/1), Danceintothelight (12/1), Chocolat Noir (14/1), No Such Number (33/1)

Verdict

Becky Smith has been knocking in plenty of winners recently, and she renews her partnership with WITNESS in this stayers event. The pair linked up for an emphatic victory at Wetherby in March (3m), beating Border Victor by a fast extending 4L. Hit with a subsequent 10lb rise in the weights, life will be tougher moving forward, but with winning form on a sound surface in France, further success must be considered highly likely. Benny's Secret loves Kelso and should have conditions to suit, but the concession of well over a stone (with riding allowances) to the selection appears too much.
  1. Witness
  2. Benny's Secret
  3. Champagne To Go

Previous Winners

2017
Notnow Seamus
Weight: 11-8  |Age: 6
10/1

Prize Money

1st: £4,289.002nd: £1,259.003rd: £630.004th: £350.005th: £350.006th: £350.007th: £350.008th: £350.00

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