14:15 Kelso

Wednesday 10 May 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:0217:35

Aitken Turnbull Architects Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 36.42s

Better Getalong⁴⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 117| C

11/1

Followed Carlisle success last February with a string of creditable efforts in defeat. Wasn't unduly punished back from a 5-month break at Haydock (18.9f, good to soft) and possibilities back up in trip here off 2 lb lower.

Form: 133/245-

Curley Finger^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 112

5/2

Hexham novice winner last spring and stepped up on previous efforts in handicap company when scoring over 23.8f at Musselburgh (good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces on penultimate start. However, this 5 lb higher mark proved beyond him at Carlisle next time.

Form: 346515-

Hoganville⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 110| C| D

12/1

Without a win for Paul Nolan in Ireland but scored 3 times for this yard between September and November, including here. Latest effort at Ayr was too bad to be true but, in any case, it could be that the handicapper now has his measure.

Form: 91113P-

Rowdy Rustler^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 109

10/1

Newcastle maiden hurdle winner last February and promising second on his chase debut/reappearance there in November. However, things haven't gone to plan since and hopes pinned on return to this sphere sparking a revival.

Form: 61/23PF-

The Navigator²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 108| C

16/1

Notched fifth success over hurdles when accounting for 4 rivals in a 21f handicap here in September. Largely below par since, though, and others make greater appeal, for all that he's dipped to an attractive mark.

Form: 635508-

Animore^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 106| C

9/1

Capitalised on the drop to a career-low mark when easily accounting for 6 rivals in a fast-ground 21.4f Ayr handicap in March. Wasn't seen to best effect over 18f here since and likely to make her presence felt back over a more suitable trip.

Form: 524514-

Split The Bill¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105

8/1

Produced his best effort yet when fourth of 14 on his handicap bow upped to 20.2f at Perth (good to soft) recently. It's possible that this 5-y-o could pull out more now faced with an even stiffer test, so he's one to consider.

Form: 3/78344-

Firth Of Forth⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 105

11/1

Hit the crossbar twice early last year, including over this C&D. Potentially well treated judged on those efforts but needs to get back on track having offered little in 3 starts since switched to handicaps.

Form: 722P/P6-

Warriors Story^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 101

11/4

Runner-up in an Ayr handicap hurdle back from a break in October and, following a short stint over fences, he again founs just one too good back in this sphere over C&D last month. Now 17 lb above the mark of his sole success to date but he's a player nonetheless.

Form: P232P2-

Ryedale Racer^p³⁷⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: C Bissett| OR: 91| CD

80/1

Without a win since C&D success in February 2021 and was pulled up on debut for this yard at Hexham when last seen just over 12 months ago.

Form: P7684/P-

Non-Runners

Fabuleux Du Clos⁵³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: S G West J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Curley Finger (5/2), Warriors Story (11/4), Fabuleux Du Clos (11/2), Split The Bill (8/1), Animore (9/1), Rowdy Rustler (10/1), Firth Of Forth (11/1), Better Getalong (11/1), Hoganville (12/1), The Navigator (16/1), Ryedale Racer (80/1)

It may be worth siding with SPLIT THE BILL, who took a step forward when fourth on his handicap debut at Perth 13 days ago and he promises to be suited by this further step up in trip. Fabuleux du Clos has to be respected on the back of his breakthrough success at Newcastle in March, while cases can also be made for the likes of Animore, Better Getalong and Warriors Story.