Kelso Races Bicentenary Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 5m 5.97s

Mortlach^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| D

4/9

Useful form when completing a four-timer over fences at Aintree in June and added to tally in another small-field contest at Newton Abbot 3 weeks ago. Back hurdling and this looks another good opening.

Form: 111P31

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Dame De Fortune²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy

10/3

Half-sister to useful hurdler Impervious (17f-2½m winner). Easily off mark in Irish points at sixth attempt in May and built on promise of her bumper run when landing 20f maiden hurdle at Worcester a month ago. Can build on that.

Form: 425-131

Keep Coming⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: I Jardine

33/1

Modest form in four bumpers for Linda Perratt and no impact on hurdles debut kept to 2m last week.

Form: 48/44-4

Longstone Cowboy^h⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: H Burns

15/2

Little impact between the flags but much more like it fitted wth a hood when runner-up on second hurdles outing at Hexham (20.1f) clear of the remainder.

Form: 84F6-32

Magic Mike⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: Paul Robson

18/1

Made frame second start in points and Irish bumper efforts for John Halley weren't devoid of promise. Now goes up in distance for hurdles debut.

Form: 94-65

Ivynator¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: S Mulqueen| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 87

200/1

Fairly useful Flat performer who showed a bit on first of 2 starts over hurdles late last year. Not disgraced on Flat thereafter but never a factor back over hurdles for new yard in the spring. Up in trip.

Form: 44-P5

Forecasts

Mortlach (4/9), Dame De Fortune (10/3), Longstone Cowboy (15/2), Magic Mike (18/1), Keep Coming (33/1), Ivynator (200/1)

MORTLACH has to prove that he's as effective over timber as fences but if he gets near his peak chase form is fancied to successfully concede weight all round. Dame de Fortune made the perfect start to her hurdling career at Worcester and is the obvious threat.