13:15 Kelso

Saturday 26 October 2019

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:15

Watch On Racing TV 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 4m 1.30s

A Ladies Milan^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

20/1

Point runner-up who went off at 20-1 on his rules debut over C&D (soft) recently, when he was not disgraced, but looked in need of further. Should be of more interest when he gets that step up in trip.

Form: 24

Cilluirid^h1¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby

33/1

3L second in an Irish point (yielding) in June. Cost £10,500 shortly after that. In good hands, but likely do improve for this rules debut and a step up in trip.

Form: P-2

Do Not Disturb³⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

25/1

Maiden Irish point third in December 2017. Not seen from then until last December, when beaten 16L on rules debut in a heavy ground Ayr bumper. Less testing ground may help for hurdles debut, but trip short enough.

Form: 3/7-

Elf De Re²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson

20/1

Showed some promise here on debut in a bumper (good) in February. Well held at Newcastle (heavy) in another of those in March. Half-brother to 2m hurdle winner, so this trip may suit him more than some. Interesting.

Form: 65-

Getaway Gerry²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: K Scott

5/1

Hadn't shown much until a more promising effort here over C&D (soft) earlier in the month, when 20-1 and a keeping-on second (beaten 1¾L). If he can build on that improved effort, he should again be heavily involved.

Form: 6/677-2

Highway Companion^h1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: K Dalgleish| BF

9/4

Irish point and bumper runner-up, who was 15L clear of A Ladies Milan when third on his recent hurdles debut over C&D (soft; beaten favourite). Had shown some useful bumper form prior to that, and a player if he comes on for that run.

Form: P2/25-3

Kilfinan Bay¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs J Stephen

40/1

Out of a 5f winner, but began in a Perth bumper (good to soft) in April, when 66-1 and 9¼L fifth of nine. Trainer has more success with chasers than hurdlers, but improvement is anticipated now he tackles an obstacle.

Form: 5-

My Son John^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander

50/1

Well held in two bumpers, but showed up well for quite a long way on his recent hurdles debut (C&D, soft; first-time hood) before a 24L defeat. Should come on for that, but likely to have to wait for other days.

Form: 09-4

Pogue²¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

5/4

Irish point winner (second start; good). Placed in all three hurdles runs from 2m-2m3½f including when going very close as favourite over C&D in the second of those. Returns from summer break and has the best form on offer here. Claims.

Form: 21322-

Zamarkhan^h¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile| OR: 97

40/1

0-9 in hurdles. Has shown promise on several occasions, including over C&D, but needs improvement on return from a break if he is to trouble the likely principals.

Form: 427-3PP

Fair Lady^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes

150/1

Well held in two bumpers and can only take a watching brief on her hurdles debut.

Form: 8-6

Frankies Fire¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton

50/1

Triple point winner who has been well beaten in two bumpers and a maiden hunter chase in her three rules starts. Others preferred.

Form: P1131-U

Sweet Flora⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 90

66/1

Minor promise in a couple of Southwell novices' hurdles during the summer, but needs much improvement to get off the mark here.

Form: 7534

Non-Runners

The Blame Game²¹²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: J Ewart J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Pogue (5/4), Highway Companion (9/4), Getaway Gerry (5/1), The Blame Game (16/1), Elf De Re (20/1), A Ladies Milan (20/1), Do Not Disturb (25/1), Cilluirid (33/1), Zamarkhan (40/1), Kilfinan Bay (40/1), My Son John (50/1), Frankies Fire (50/1), Sweet Flora (66/1), Fair Lady (150/1)

Pogue looks the obvious choice on what he has achieved so far, but he hasn't yet taken an opportunity and that developing profile is a concern. The suggestion, therefore, is HIGHWAY COMPANION. Admittedly, he will need to improve on what we saw from him here earlier in the month, but he could so do with a hood now fitted for assistance. The Blame Game, Getaway Gerry and Elf De Re are others of interest.