15:25 Kelso

Wednesday 10 May 2023

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

RBC Brewin Dolphin Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 8.34s

Balkalin^t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 100| C

9/2

Opened his account at the thirteenth attempt as a hurdler in 2m course novice in October. Best run since when third of 15 in Hexham handicap on recent return from a break. Claims if he can back that up.

Form: 551463-

Boomslang¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 100

10/1

Has shown ability in bumpers/novice hurdles and, in good hands, is one who could go on to better things in handicaps. One to note in the betting back from 104 days off.

Form: 32936-

Castletown^b¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 96| C

5/2

Chase winner here last May and this consistent sort reached the frame on all 8 subsequent starts last season, the latest when second in a 20.5f handicap hurdle at last month's Ayr Scottish Grand National meeting. Sure to be thereabouts again.

Form: 233222-

Agilulf⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 100

11/1

Modest maiden, beaten 20 lengths when fourth of 12 in Sedgefield handicap in March. Needs to find some improvement from somewhere.

Form: 33544-

Shantou's Temple⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 90

22/1

Unplaced in bumpers for Tim Reed and comfortably held in maiden/novice hurdles for current stable. Handicaps provide him with a more realistic chance but his mark isn't obviously generous.

Form: 58/756-

Just Call Me Al^t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 85

7/1

Won 3 times in 2021/22 season. Has found life a lot harder since but he ran a bit better back from wind surgery last month and is dangerously well handicapped.

Form: 0P5846-

Melchoir^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 83

11/1

Poor form, although he wasn't beaten far when fifth of 9 in a course handicap last month and has few convictions than the majority of these.

Form: 8/826P5-

Follow Your Fire^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 80

16/1

Has lost his way over fences lately and needs a return to hurdling to spark an upturn in his fortunes. The fact his stable is among the winners provides some hope.

Form: 48V777-

Dr Shirocco¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 76

13/2

Remains a maiden after 23 runs but did finished runner-up 3 times over fences at Mussleburgh over the winter. Also a creditable fourth back hurdling at Carlisle (19f) last month but below par at Perth since.

Form: 252246-

Diamant Sur Canape^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 74

18/1

Well held in bumper and little to shout about in 5 starts in this sphere, including recent course stable debuit. More chance now handicapping but still a tough one to make a case for.

Form: 9/9P9P0-

Brave Bairn^h⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: C Bissett| OR: 73

14/1

Modest at best in four hurdling runs for Nick Alexander. Better effort for new yard when third of 5 in 17f Carlisle handicap in March and this step back up in trip should suit.

Form: F638/03-

Rocco Molly^t²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 68WS

125/1

Well held in a bumper/3 hurdles in the first half of last season. Has had wind surgery ahead of this handicap debut/first outing in 7 months. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 0U57-

Non-Runners

Loughermore⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: S Waugh J: Amie Waugh

Forecasts

Castletown (5/2), Balkalin (9/2), Dr Shirocco (13/2), Just Call Me Al (7/1), Boomslang (10/1), Agilulf (11/1), Melchoir (11/1), Brave Bairn (14/1), Follow Your Fire (16/1), Loughermore (16/1), Diamant Sur Canape (18/1), Shantou's Temple (22/1), Rocco Molly (125/1)

In a race where very few arrive with compelling claims a chance is taken on JUST CALL ME AL who offered a bit more back from wind surgery last time and has dipped to a mark he should be capable of winning from if retaining anything like his old ability. The consistent Castletown is sure to be thereabouts again. Rebecca Menzies handicap newcomer Boomslang would also come into it if the betting suggests he's fancied.