14:30 Kelso

Sunday 8 October 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Simpsons Malt Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 3m 58.73s

Duleek Street^p⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell

5/1

Fair maiden on the Flat who stood out on best form and, in first-time cheekpieces/refitted with a tongue strap, he opened his account with good bit to spare in a Cartmel maiden (17.2f, soft) 6 weeks ago. No reason why he won't be thereabouts again under a penalty.

Form: 22-451

Dutch Schultz^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 115| BF

9/4

Put experience to good use when opening account in this sphere at Wexford (16.7f) in August, leading between last 2 and going clear. Held when falling last on chase debut at Kilbeggan since but no surprise to see him play a part returned to timber.

Form: 545-21F

C The Bunny Run^t1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

125/1

Dylan Thomas gelding who went with little promise when pulled up in a maiden hurdle over further here 26 days ago. Tongue tie quickly reached for.

Form: P

Gainsbourg¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D Bourke

33/1

Revived by application of blinkers when landing back-to-back handicaps at Ayr this summer but not in same form from inflated mark last 2 starts and he shaped like a non-stayer on sole previous try in this discipline.

Form: 6-

Stylish Recruit^t1¹⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

12/1

£16,000 5-y-o, Ask gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 3m) Lead On. Wears tongue strap. Got off mark in Irish points at fourth attempt (awarded race, Apr 21) so he needs a check in the betting on Rules/hurdles bow.

Form: FP51-

Esprit Du Potier¹⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| D

1/1

Landed 2 of his first 3 starts in bumpers at Ayr (at 2m) and plenty to like about the way he went about things when sixth in 20-runner Aintree Grade 2 on final start in April. Very much the type to make his mark over hurdles and he's respected on return to action.

Form: 2116-

Mekbat⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett

200/1

Modest maiden on Flat (stays 1m), well below form last 2 starts. Not an obvious type for this discipline.

Form:

Slugger^h¹⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Quinlan| T: I Jardine| BFWS

16/1

Ocovango gelding who has filled the runners-up spot on 2 of his 4 starts in bumpers, latterly at Newcastle (16.9f) in May. Interesting what the market makes of him now hurdling on return/following wind surgery.

Form: 426-2

Swashbuckler^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes

200/1

Fairly useful maiden at best on Flat (stays 1¼m) bought cheaply on the back of 3 disappointing Flat runs for Tom Lacey and not much to shout about over hurdles for present yard. Can only be watched.

Form: 0F

Non-Runners

Jean Danjou¹⁶⁰

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: J Coulson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Esprit Du Potier (1/1), Dutch Schultz (9/4), Duleek Street (5/1), Stylish Recruit (12/1), Slugger (16/1), Jean Danjou (25/1), Gainsbourg (33/1), C The Bunny Run (125/1), Mekbat (200/1), Swashbuckler (200/1)

ESPRIT DU POTIER went the right way in bumpers last term, successful twice at Ayr prior to a solid sixth in an Aintree Grade 2 on his final start in April. Appealing as the type to make his mark in this sphere, he could be worth siding with to come out on top with his yard in good form. Last-time-out winners Dutch Schultz and Duleek Street head up the dangers.