14:20 Kelso

Sunday 6 October 2019

All13:4514:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5517:30

Scottish Racing Supporting Alzheimer Scotland Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 8.1s

Martila^h⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 118| CD

7/2

C&D winner off 4lb higher back in January and looked like he'd be better for her return from an absence at Cartmel in August. Tends to improve for a run and a likely contender.

Form: 44150-4

Point Break^t²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 114WS

7/1

Progressive type for this stable was in consistent form at the start of the year. Returns from a lengthy absence and following wind surgery for his handicap debut. Some improvement required off opening mark but that's a possible.

Form: 636323-

Let's Sway^h,t²⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 113| D

28/1

Never finished out of the first three in nine starts over hurdles and was racing up to her best in a selling handicap hurdle when second in December. Not seen since and now makes stable debut. More needed in this company.

Form: 322312-

Sleepy Haven⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 113| D

13/2

Experienced gelding who has featured 44 times over hurdles with just the four wins and a losing streak dating back to 2016. On a good mark but needs to improve on recent form.

Form: 334356

Dieu Benisse¹⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112| D

33/1

Luckless sort (fell twice) when with Nicky Henderson but benefited from a late fall when taking a Ffos Las novice in May. Subsequently sold for £20,000; now makes stable and handicap debut. More needed off opening mark but not dismissed.

Form: FF5-1

Goldencard⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 111| CD

5/1

Sole win last season was in a weak novice on good ground at Sedgefield but held his form in handicap company thereafter. Ground may be going against him but place possibilities.

Form: 5443-76

Drums Of War³⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: C Grant| OR: 104

18/1

Inconsistent performer would be suited by plenty of rain. Tends to need the run so probably best watched on first run since last December.

Form: 62414/5-

Whiskey And Water^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 115| BF

2/1

One win and two seconds from three improving hurdle starts this year and not disgraced in a decent Flat contest last month. Progressive three-year-old looks to be on an attractive mark on handicap debut. Leading contender.

Form: 212

California Soul^p⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 97| D

25/1

Tramore maiden hurdle winner (2m, good) for Denis Hogan in the summer of 2017 but poor in three starts for new yard and remains best watched.

Form: 5370/7P

Non-Runners

Royal Reserve¹⁵

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Mr Cameron Wadge

Forecasts

Whiskey And Water (2/1), Martila (7/2), Goldencard (5/1), Royal Reserve (6/1), Sleepy Haven (13/2), Point Break (7/1), Drums Of War (18/1), California Soul (25/1), Let's Sway (28/1), Dieu Benisse (33/1)

A good opening handicap mark gives the improving WHISKEY AND WATER a very good opportunity to continue on an upward curve as he meets his elders. Point Break also makes his first start in handicap company and while he needs to find more off his mark, wind surgery may bring the required progress. Martila should be fitter for her reappearance, remains well handicapped and rates the main danger.