15:00 Kelso

Saturday 4 March 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 11.44s

Dallas Des Pictons⁹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 137WS

66/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who ended a long losing run in 3m Cork handicap hurdle on final start for Gordon Elliott in August. Good second back chasing for his new yard at Carlisle but disappointing both starts since. Has had a breathing operation.

Form: 21627P

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Nells Son^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| CWS

6/1

Useful novice hurdler (won Grade 2 at this venue) and sound start over fences when second in 4-runner event at Ayr in October. Seemed to find things happening too quickly when fourth at Carlisle (2m) but was far from disgraced back over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces when sixth at Cheltenham.

Form: 414-246

Rafferty's Return⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 128| D

9/2

Scored twice as a novice and all the better for his reappearance effort when digging deep to land Wetherby handicap (21.2f) on Boxing Day. Backed that up when beaten only by one patently ahead of his mark there 3 weeks later and seems sure to give another good account.

Form: 214-912

Mahons Glory³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 126

11/2

Failed to win for Denis Hogan in Ireland but struck at the first time of asking for Dr Richard Newland in an Aintree maiden hurdle (20f) in October, albeit not keeping straight under pressure. Possibly failed to stay upped to 3m in River Don at Doncaster latest. Back down in trip.

Form: 2523-15

Donny Boy⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: N W Alexander| OR: 125| CWS

12/1

Created a good impression when landing a course bumper/Newcastle maiden hurdle last term. Shaped well in a well-contested event at Carlisle on chasing debut/return but flopped badly in a tongue strap here 8 weeks later (said to have bled). Back over hurdles. Had breathing op.

Form: 116B-5P

Clay Rogers^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

8/1

Landed a brace of small-field events in the summer of 2021 and overcame a 17-month absence and notable market weakness to complete the hat-trick with a fair amount in hand switched to a handicap at Southwell 34 days ago. 6 lb higher now in a stronger race but he's likely to go well again.

Form: 2/3211-1

Santos Blue^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

3/1

Winning pointer who has shown much-improved form since being refitted with a tongue strap, making it 2 from 2 in handicaps in smooth style at Chepstow (19.4f) 29 days ago, well on top finish. Still unexposed, and one to keep firmly on the right side.

Form: 475711

Well Educated¹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 118| C

16/1

Made it 4 wins from 6 starts since joining current yard in 10-runner handicap at Carlisle (17.2f, soft) back in October, leading after 3 out and asserting run-in. Returns from a break in a deeper race but still enters calculations.

Form: 213111

Dancewiththewind¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 117| C

9/2

Showed he retains all his ability on third outing back from a long absence when winning 13-runner Wetherby handicap on Boxing Day. That form worked out well and he had no trouble following up from a 3 lb higher mark here (16.2f) 15 days ago. Back up in trip and well respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 11/0311

Enemy Coast Ahead^p1,t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: K Scott| OR: 116

40/1

Landed a hat-trick of novice events in summer 2020 for Olly Murphy. Sold for just £3,000 and has offered little both starts for new yard, though. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 6/642-96

Forecasts

Santos Blue (3/1), Rafferty's Return (9/2), Dancewiththewind (9/2), Mahons Glory (11/2), Nells Son (6/1), Clay Rogers (8/1), Donny Boy (12/1), Well Educated (16/1), Enemy Coast Ahead (40/1), Dallas Des Pictons (66/1)

SANTOS BLUE has taken off since being switched to handicaps and still looks well-in following a 12 lb rise for his latest success, so he's selected to complete the hat-trick. Rafferty's Return is a likeable front runner who seems sure to give another good account, with Dancewiththewind completing the shortlist.