15:05 Kelso

Saturday 9 November 2019

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

John Urwin Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 5m 47.5s

Spirit Of Kayf^t1¹⁹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122

4/1

Good form in bumpers/over hurdles for his former yard in 2016 before being off for two seasons. Form since returning for this yard has been rather hit-and-miss; now eased in the handicap back from a further absence; wears a first-time tongue-tie.

Form: F1/5464-

Bally Conor²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 119| BF

5/1

Bumper winner this time last year coping well with the testing conditions; has shown that he does have the scope to win in handicaps (still unexposed). Easily excused his below-par run when last seen (came home lame); market a useful guide.

Form: 413625-

Toi Storey²⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 116WS

10/1

Made steady progress last year over hurdles although he didn't need to improve when taking a Hexham novice (2m4f, heavy) when last seen. Had wind surgery since that victory, returns from an absence to make his handicap debut off a workable mark.

Form: 44331-

Highway Companion^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 109

11/4

Useful form in bumpers but connections seemingly not hanging around over hurdles making a foray into handicaps as soon as possible. Given too much to do over 2m here last time, longer trip/change to this sphere makes him of interest; progress likely.

Form: P2/25-34

Paper Roses²⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Whillans⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 109

12/1

A career record of 0-15 (0-12, hurdles) rings some alarm bells although on occasions she has gone close to breaking that sequence. Ran one of her better races when last seen at Hexham (2m, heavy); chances are she will find a few too good again.

Form: 254/242-

Quids In^t¹⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 108

8/1

Losing run now stretches back over two years and he faces some progressive types in this. Out of sorts after a wind op when last seen in the spring the handicapper has cut him some slack but there may be more rope needed yet.

Form: 53287-4

Hitman Fred^p¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 107

9/2

Successful on his sole Irish point-to-point start he made a promising start to his Rules career when second in a heavy ground bumper here. Yet to totally convince about his right trip in handicaps he remains unexposed and probably on a decent mark.

Form: 25/7350-

Mahler Supreme²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Dowson| T: G Bewley| OR: 103

33/1

Third on his hurdle/stable/GB debut he offered something to work on but has regressed since then. Very little to enthuse about in his comeback run after six months off at Carlisle last time (pulled up); needs to show more to be of interest.

Form: 8/6354-P

Put The Law On You^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 103

20/1

Yet to win in any discipline he has the air of one who is bubbling under over hurdles at least especially with his yard in form. However his recent Flat performances have cast some doubts on his ability; may be best watched for now.

Form: 4-320

Forecasts

Highway Companion (11/4), Spirit Of Kayf (4/1), Hitman Fred (9/2), Bally Conor (5/1), Quids In (8/1), Toi Storey (10/1), Paper Roses (12/1), Put The Law On You (20/1), Mahler Supreme (33/1)

The speed with which the connections of HIGHWAY COMPANION switch him to handicaps may be a telling sign especially as he steps up to a more suitable trip that the 2m he was tried over here last time. Toi Story another handicap newcomer should also make his mark although the fact the fact that he hasn’t run since March may just be against him in the prevailing testing conditions. Bally Conor another one stepping in handicaps for the first time needs watching in the market while Hitman Fred has potential in this sphere coming from a yard who had a torrid time last season but are starting to blossom again. Paper Roses and Spirit Of Kayf two others to consider in an open contest.