15:35 Kelso

Saturday 23 March 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Paxtons Exclusively Kverneland Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 6m 34.9s

Rocklander^p1³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 135

33/1

Capable performer on his day as he underlined with a third at last year's Cheltenham Festival, but he has not always been the safest of conveyances over fences. Failed to complete last two, reverts to hurdles.

Form: F-P54FP

Tomkevi^p,t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 131

18/1

Ended last year with a pair of handicap wins at up to 3m (both on soft) and was still in the thick of it when fell at the last at Southwell (3m, good) earlier this month. 5lb higher mark to contend with here.

Form: 15-611U

Aye Right²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 130| BF| C

13/2

Twice a course winner in novice company over 2m5f in the autumn (good/good to firm) and runner-up the last two starts here over 2m6½f (good/good to soft). Up another pound and potentially more to do in this bigger field.

Form: 116122

Worthy Farm³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

9/4

Put a disappointing Cheltenham run behind him when scoring at Ascot (2m7½f, good to soft) last time, appearing to idle out in front. By no means harshly-treated with a 7lb rise on that evidence.

Form: 13-3101

Seemorelights¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Reveley| T: A M Thomson| OR: 130| C

6/1

Heavy-ground winner here over 2m back in 2017, missed a lot of time since but was in front at Ayr (2m4½f, soft) last time when coming down at the last. Stays this far and goes on the shortlist despite 6lb rise for his troubles.

Form: 7133/4F

Taxmeifyoucan^p³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 129| C

16/1

Two-time hurdles winner, does his best work here and took a big step back in the right direction when fourth over this C&D in January. Can't be dismissed if building on that.

Form: 30-7046

Burrows Park⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 128

5/1

Twice a winner this season on testing ground at Ludlow and Uttoxeter at up to 2m5f, stays 3m, unsuited by the speed-test of the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last time and should find this more to his liking.

Form: 611239

Captain Drake^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 127

3/1

Heavy-ground Uttoxeter maiden winner in December over 2m4f, was under pressure when left clear at the last on handicap debut at Southwell (3m, good) earlier this month. This is tougher and raised 6lb for that score.

Form: 21-3511

Arthurs Secret^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 121

25/1

Ended a four-year wait for a win with game success at Ayr (3m, good to soft) 26 days ago in re-fitted cheekpieces (retained) and may have place claims again in what is a deeper contest.

Form: 622451

Non-Runners

Teescomponents Lad³³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: G Boanas J: Ross Chapman

Rivabodiva¹⁴

Weight: 10-8| Age: 9

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Thomas Willmott

Forecasts

Worthy Farm (9/4), Captain Drake (3/1), Burrows Park (5/1), Seemorelights (6/1), Aye Right (13/2), Teescomponents Lad (15/2), Taxmeifyoucan (16/1), Rivabodiva (16/1), Tomkevi (18/1), Arthurs Secret (25/1), Rocklander (33/1)

Ascot winner Worthy Farm could have more to offer having seemingly idled after hitting the front there; his penalty is mostly negated with a claim and he's respected. Captain Drake and TOMKEVI were battling for a win at Southwell last time when the latter crashed out. His jumping wasn't perfect throughout, but Conor O'Farrell takes over here and may be able to assist in that regard. He's a pound better off now, and might have won the argument last time had he stood up. This is wide open, ensuring the consistent Teescomponents Lad joins Burrows Park and course specialist Taxmeifyoucan in completing the shortlist.