13:00 Kelso

Sunday 15 January 2023

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

visitkelso.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 16.09s

Barnabas Collins²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 98

9/1

Made a winning start in a Carlisle bumper for Stuart Crawford in November 2020. Bought for £40,000 soon after but failed to complete both starts over hurdles in 2021/22 season and needed the run on Boxing Day after 11 months off. Clearly fragile but opening mark potentially lenient.

Form: 1/FP-5

Bashful^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 98| D

7/2

In good form, following up his Uttoxeter success in November with a good effort in a slowly-run 17f Sedgefield handicap 11 days later. Continued in good heart when third at Catterick (15.7f, soft) a fortnight ago and he should be in the mix again.

Form: 44-0123

Atlantic Dancer²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 95| D

7/1

Took advantage of a drop in the weights to open at Ayr last March and ran up to her best after 9 months off when runner-up back there on season reappearance recently, pulling clear of the remainder. Major claims from same mark.

Form: 03P18-2

Reve De Niamh^t1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 94

50/1

Runner-up in a Taunton bumper back last January (only outing for Fergal O'Brien) but little promise in novice/handicap hurdles this season (had breathing problem latest start). Tongue tie applied today.

Form: 2-2678

Take Centre Stage²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 92

9/1

Hinted at ability in bumpers/over hurdles but trailed home last making handicap debut at Wetherby recently. Must leave that effort well behind.

Form: 4/9-440

Faithfulflyer^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 92| BF

7/4

Left previous efforts behind when winning 13-runner handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f, soft) in November but unable to build on that success following a token 3 lb rise at this track 6 weeks ago. Back down to 2m today so worth a second look.

Form: 09-5913

Its A Midnight^t1⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 92WS

16/1

Modest in bumpers and offered something to work on when third of 6 on hurdles debut at Hexham (16.2f) in May. Beaten a long way on her last couple of starts but may have more to offer now heading into handicaps with a tongue tied enlisted (has also had a wind op).

Form: 53-345

Goodoldbill¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 91

80/1

Successful on fifth start in Irish points but has failed to show much in a trio of outings over hurdles. Handicap debut today.

Form: 65156-7

Darkest Day¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 88| D

66/1

Off the mark at Plumpton for Gary Moore in March 2021 and runner-up twice for this yard in June of that year. However, he showed nothing after 18 months off at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) recently so remains with plenty to prove.

Form: 8/2280-P

Getaway Gerry⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: K Scott| OR: 82

14/1

Given a chance by the handicapper and produced his best effort to date when runner-up over C&D in December 2020. Entitled to need the outing after 2 years off when sixth here 6 weeks ago and this should reveal where he's at.

Form: 00402/6

Jamil^t⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 80| D

25/1

Flat winner who confirmed previous promise over hurdles when opening account in handicap at Newcastle (16.2f, good) last March. Followed up back on the level but shaped as if needing the run after 5 months off when down the field at Hexham in November. Tongue tie back on today.

Form: 65451-0

Halcyon Dreams^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: K Scott| OR: 72

18/1

Yet to score after 19 runs but she posted a creditable fourth at this track (20.9f, soft) on penultimate start. Unseated rider mid-race at Ayr 13 days ago so could get back on track today.

Form: 69764U

Lastin' Memories^v1⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 70| C

22/1

Poor handicap chaser who had undergone a breathing operation since last seen and probably needed the run after 9 months off. Back over timber/in a change of headgear today but easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 24476-P

Dunnottar Castle^p⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Thomas Willmott⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 65

28/1

Has failed to trouble the judge in his 9 starts over hurdles but was found to have bled on his recent return to action. Others make more appeal.

Form: P70P8-P

Non-Runners

Yellow Jacket²⁹⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Brave Bairn⁴⁸⁰

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: C Bissett J: Jamie Hamilton

Forecasts

Faithfulflyer (7/4), Bashful (7/2), Atlantic Dancer (7/1), Barnabas Collins (9/1), Take Centre Stage (9/1), Yellow Jacket (12/1), Getaway Gerry (14/1), Its A Midnight (16/1), Halcyon Dreams (18/1), Brave Bairn (20/1), Lastin' Memories (22/1), Jamil (25/1), Dunnottar Castle (28/1), Reve De Niamh (50/1), Darkest Day (66/1), Goodoldbill (80/1)

Plenty in with a shout but preference is for ATLANTIC DANCER, who ran up to her best after 9 months off when finishing runner-up at Ayr last month and Nick Alexander's 10-y-o mare has every chance of going one better today. Second choice is Faithfulflyer, who was unable to build on his Musselburgh win last time but a mark of 92 should be well within range. Bashful and Barnabas Collins can fight out minor honours.