12:28 Kelso

Thursday 29 December 2022

All11:5312:2813:0313:3814:1314:4815:20

Watch The Replay At Racing TV Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:33 | Winning time: 6m 6.97s

Emitom^p⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127

9/2

Grade 2 winning hurdler in 2020 and, having been given a chance by the handicapper, proved he retains ability after 7 months off when fourth of 11 at Lingfield (23f) in November. Capable of getting involved with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 232PP-4

Guiri⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 126| BF

80/1

Placed over hurdles/on the Flat in Ireland in August/September, before leaving Jessica Harrington since a lesser run at Gowran last time. Betting perhaps the best guide to expectations now setting out for a new stable after 3 months off.

Form: 5-20529

Enemy Coast Ahead^t²⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Reilly⁽⁷⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 123

40/1

Lightly-raced hurdler who landed a hat-trick of novice events in summer 2020. Only 4 starts since, running well after 3 months off when second of 4 in handicap at Ayr (21.4f) in April. Off further 9 months having since left Olly Murphy.

Form: 116/642-

Big Bad Bear³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 120| BF

16/1

Ended last season with handicap wins at Newcastle and Perth, and lost out only narrowly at Market Rasen (20.6f) in October. However, not in the same form when down the field at Doncaster last month. Bounce back called for.

Form: 1-43525

Charm Offensive^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 119

17/2

Ended last season with back-to-back victories at Ayr and improved further when scoring at the same course (20.4f) last month under Bruce Lynn. Can give another good account back up in trip.

Form: 3411-21

Schalke²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 116| D

8/1

Suited by stepping up in trip when scoring at Market Rasen and Catterick last season. Didn't take to chasing at Market Rasen in November, but fared better back hurdling when a narrow runner-up at Musselburgh earlier this month.

Form: 114-642

Inis Oirr²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113

2/1

Runner-up on second of 2 starts in Irish points and showed plenty on Rules debut when third at Hexham in October. Improved on that effort when second at Haydock (24.3f) the following month, clear of rest. Respected on handicap bow.

Form: 82-32

Deluxe Range^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 113| CD

6/1

Posted one of better efforts when second of 4 in handicap at Hexham (23.3f) in June. Has failed to complete both starts since returning from 4 months off, though. Only success came over C&D, although that came in a novice 2 years ago.

Form: 34-32PF

Leostar²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 112| C

20/1

Won twice over hurdles in 2020/21, including at this course (20.9f), and encouragement after 19 months off when third on chasing bow here (23.4f) in November. Went backwards from that effort next time, but on a workable mark back hurdling.

Form: 4812/34

Firth Of Forth²⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 112

20/1

Showed improved form when runner-up in maiden hurdles at Newcastle and over C&D at the beginning of the year. However, reportedly lost action when pulled up on handicap debut at Catterick in March. Needs to get back on track after 9 months off.

Form: 84722P-

Nights In Venice³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Danny McMenamin| T: D W Whillans| OR: 103

11/1

Modest in bumpers and ran to a similar level in trio of maiden/novice hurdles earlier in the year. After 9 months off, finished down the field on handicap debut at Ayr (20.3f) a month ago. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 29945-7

Lissen To The Lady^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss J Walton⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 97| CD

12/1

Enhanced her fine course record when landing third C&D success during the spring. After 6 months off, caught the eye when fifth of 10 here (25.8f) last month, finishing with running left. Could be ready to return to winning ways.

Form: 131-465

Forecasts

Inis Oirr (2/1), Emitom (9/2), Deluxe Range (6/1), Schalke (8/1), Charm Offensive (17/2), Nights In Venice (11/1), Lissen To The Lady (12/1), Big Bad Bear (16/1), Leostar (20/1), Firth Of Forth (20/1), Enemy Coast Ahead (40/1), Guiri (80/1)

LISSEN TO THE LADY caught the eye on her return to action when mid-field here last month, finishing with running left, so she can build on that effort to land a fourth C&D success with testing conditions to suit. Heading the list of dangers is Inis Oirr, who is open to improvement on his handicap debut, while Charm Offensive can give another good account.