15:24 Kelso

Saturday 5 November 2022

All12:3313:0813:4314:1814:5315:2415:55

Graeme Todd & Friends Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:29 | Winning time: 5m 24.65s

Gentleman De Mai³⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 104

3/1

Irish point runner-up from the family of Bristol de Mai made a winning start under Rules in 9-runner novice hurdle at Ayr just over a year ago. Open to significant improvement and should take the beating if ready to roll.

Form: 2/1-

Pavlik³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 103

12/1

In process of shaping well when falling on hurdles debut at Aintree and confirmed that promise when second at Hexham on next start. Unable to get involved from well off pace last time and capable of better now handicapping over longer trip.

Form: 44-F26

You Some Boy²⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 102

14/1

Landed hat-trick between December and January last season but found life tougher from higher mark on final start last term. Could prove more competitive with rider's 5 lb claim offsetting chunk of the rise.

Form: 7/01119-

Balkalin^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S Mulqueen| T: M A Barnes| OR: 102| C

14/1

Opened his account at the thirteenth attempt as a hurdler in 6-runner novice (16.2f) here last month. Not disgraced under penalty when fourth at Carlisle last time, so isn't fully ruled out.

Form: 5-35514

Perfect Man²²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss Becky Smith| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101| C| D

20/1

Course winner. Fifteen runs since last win in 2020 but came close to taking advatage of sliding mark when second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, good to soft, 10/1) last time. Remains potenetially well treated.

Form: 766662-

Golden Robin¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Coltherd| T: S Corbett| OR: 101

22/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2020. Little show in a pair of starts for this yard, most recently when eighth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (20f, heavy) 16 days ago.

Form: 434P-78

Fortcanyon³¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Willmott⁽³⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 99

28/1

Ran to fair level when fourth in Newcastle maiden last December and reportedly suffered from breathing problem over markedly longer trip here next time. Remains likely to be suited by this sort of trip and is an interesting handicap debutant.

Form: 64/945-

Azof Des Mottes²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 92

10/1

Disappointed on return from breathing op when only ninth of 13 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (17.2f, good to soft, 9/2) 23 days ago. Fair mark on pick of last year's form but bit to prove now.

Form: 05P2P-9

Bestiarius¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas| OR: 91

15/2

Largely consistent from this sort of mark in first half of this year but hasn't been at his best in a pair of starts since returning from a summer break. Others preferred.

Form: 432365

Knocknamona²⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Macdonald⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 90| D

66/1

Better known as a chaser, scoring over fences at Newcastle last season. Overall recent profile isn't hugely inspiring and it's possible he's just on the downgrade now.

Form: 8/7P164-

Post Chaise²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 89| BF

9/4

Won a strong race for this grade at Hereford on penultimate outing last season and proved he could be competitive from this mark when second of 11 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (23.7f, good, 2/1) on final start. Trip may be on sharp side but he's a leading player.

Form: 3/06912-

Coral Blue¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Bourke| OR: 87

12/1

Failed to come on for recent return when fifth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (20f, heavy) 16 days ago but is edging back towards a competitive mark.

Form: P184-95

Mauritian Bolt^p¹³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 81

18/1

Largely disappointing over hurdles, failing to make any impact in a trio of starts this summer. Opposable again.

Form: 604-546

Forecasts

Post Chaise (9/4), Gentleman De Mai (3/1), Bestiarius (15/2), Azof Des Mottes (10/1), Pavlik (12/1), Coral Blue (12/1), Balkalin (14/1), You Some Boy (14/1), Mauritian Bolt (18/1), Perfect Man (20/1), Golden Robin (22/1), Fortcanyon (28/1), Knocknamona (66/1)

GENTLEMAN DE MAI looked a potentially useful prospect when making a winning start at Ayr last year and can make it 2-2 on his handicap bow. Post Chaise is still lightly raced and ended last season in fine form, so ranks as the biggest threat ahead of another unexposed sort in the shape of Pavlik.