14:50 Kelso

Wednesday 10 May 2023

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

Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 6.71s

Ballyporeen²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119| C

4/9

Immediate improvement for new trainer Donald McCain when easily winning Musselburgh novice handicap and novice here. Can complete his hat-trick.

Form: 534511-

Bilboa River²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H McMahon| OR: 74

125/1

Ex-pointer who hasn't offered much under Rules, off 15 months ahead of yard debut when remote second of 5 in novice hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f, heavy, 200/1) 26 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 675P7/2-

Franz Josef^t²⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

28/1

Maiden Irish pointer who failed to beat a rival in pair of bumpers for Paul Robson. Off 6 months ahead of hurdles debut when only tenth in 2m Kelso novice in October. Has lots to find.

Form: PU245/0-

Harper Valley¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies

11/4

Has shaped with promise when fifth in maiden hurdle at Wetherby and third in novice at Hexham last month. Can improve further. Solid claims.

Form: F53-

Heeztheboy⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: Miss P Robson

100/1

Has offered little in a bumper/two novice hurdles so far. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 096-

Jimmy's Jet⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson

16/1

Landed an Ayr bumper on debut in October 2021, but has disappointed since. Had a breathing operation ahead of hurdles debut at Musselburgh in March when fell heavily 5th. Has it it prove.

Form: 1UP/8F-

Kopa Kilana^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 95

11/1

Bumper winner for Rebecca Menzies but beaten a long way over hurdles on next 2 starts. Seemed to excel himself starting out for a new stable when fifth in 2m2f Kelso novice last month and needs to back it up now.

Form: 148/5-

Why Not Dream

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin

25/1

Ask mare. Closely related to a winner on Flat and half-sister to fairly useful hurdler Champagne Express. Newcomer can't be ruled out.

Form:

Brasingaman Bella²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

80/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 66/1, last of 6 in novice hurdle at Newcastle (20.3f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 5056-

Non-Runners

Ivynator²³⁸

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: Mrs J C McGregor J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ballyporeen (4/9), Harper Valley (11/4), Kopa Kilana (11/1), Jimmy's Jet (16/1), Why Not Dream (25/1), Franz Josef (28/1), Ivynator (50/1), Brasingaman Bella (80/1), Heeztheboy (100/1), Bilboa River (125/1)

BALLYPOREEN has taken his form up a level since joining Donald McCain and still looks hard to beat despite conceding upwards of 12 lb all round. Harper Valley has gone with some promise on his two starts over hurdles and appeals as the one to chase him home ahead of Rose Dobbin's newcomer Why Not Dream.