15:10 Kelso

Monday 22 March 2021

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 3m 59.6s

Word Has It²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128

2/11

Steadily progressive over hurdles, easily getting off the mark at Carlisle (17f) last month. Good chance he can defy a penalty.

Form: 2/F3-321

Bayfriars Bobby³¹

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

100/1

Showed ability on debut in a Perth bumper last summer but well since, including a couple of novice hurdles.

Form: 4569

Centenier^t⁹¹

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

150/1

Half-brother to numerous winners but he was well held in a couple of bumpers before Christmas. Hurdle debut.

Form: 09

Dunnottar Castle⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: Mrs J Stephen

40/1

Some promise in a bumper here and on hurdle debut at Carlisle (17f) in December, but a fair step forward needed if he's to trouble the favourite here.

Form: 63

Emory^t1³⁸⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: R Ross

150/1

18-race maiden pointer so hardly strikes as a likely type to make a winning start under Rules.

Form: 2222/3P-

Ranskill Road⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

250/1

Last in bumper for Brian Ellison and big prices when failing to complete in maiden/novice hurdles for this yard in recent weeks.

Form: 9/BP

Upandatit^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: N W Alexander

50/1

Placed both starts between the flags, but well held in 2 bumpers under Rules this year. Hard to fancy now hurdling.

Form: 33-88

Wicked West⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Chris McSharry

15/2

Little impact in 2 bumpers but looked set to be placed when coming down at the last on Newcastle hurdle debut in December. Ought to be in the mix.

Form: 77F

Cailin Dearg¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| D

9/2

Winning pointer who was much improved when making second bumper outing a winning one at Wexford in October. Remote fifth on 21f Wetherby hurdle/yard debut 14 days ago but may come on for the run.

Form: 231-715

Fair Lady^t¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes

200/1

Well held in bumpers and has yet to complete over hurdles, so easily passed over.

Form: 8/6U-FP

Kitty's Cove²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| D

40/1

Modest winning stayer on the Flat but no impact in 2 hurdles. Unlikely to be of interest until handicapping.

Form: P-9

Our Elsie²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: D W Whillans

125/1

Little impact in 2 bumpers/hurdles.

Form: 8-978

Non-Runners

The Jad Factor³⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: R M Smith J: Ryan Mania

Forecasts

Word Has It (2/11), Cailin Dearg (9/2), Wicked West (15/2), The Jad Factor (20/1), Dunnottar Castle (40/1), Kitty's Cove (40/1), Upandatit (50/1), Bayfriars Bobby (100/1), Our Elsie (125/1), Centenier (150/1), Emory (150/1), Fair Lady (200/1), Ranskill Road (250/1)

A few runners but essentially a race lacking depth and it looks an ideal opportunity for WORD HAS IT to defy a penalty for his Carlisle win 4 weeks ago. Wicked West and Cailin Dearg can give him most to think about.