Kelso Betting Ring Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:53 | Winning time: 4m 23.50s

Bois Guillbert²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120| CD

7/2

C&D winner but he turned in a rare poor run when last of 6 to The Churchill Lad in handicap hurdle at Haydock (15.6f, heavy) 22 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 113-136

Ginger Mail^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 120| D

10/3

Largely consistent type who would have made a winning reappearance at Ayr but for a mistake at the last. Beat only one in first-time visor at Cheltenham since but this C&D winner can get back on track with cheekpieces now refitted.

Form: 522P-20

The Churchill Lad²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 119| D

2/1

Won juvenile events at Cartmel and Catterick last season and back on the up in handicaps recently, building on Musselburgh second when going one better at Haydock (2m, heavy). Should remain competitive after a 5 lb rise.

Form: 275-721

Cracking Rhapsody²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 115| D

9/4

Perth bumper winner who went in at the first time of asking over hurdles in 2m Hexham novice in November. Improved under a penalty when runner-up in Carlisle novice since so he's a player now going into handicaps.

Form: 6-1412

Non-Runners

Russian Virtue⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

The Churchill Lad (2/1), Cracking Rhapsody (9/4), Ginger Mail (10/3), Bois Guillbert (7/2), Russian Virtue (5/1)

A case can be made for all of the quintet but CRACKING RHAPSODY steps into handicap company on an upward curve so edges the vote. The Churchill Lad rates a big threat though on the back of his Haydock victory, while it would come as no surprise if both Bois Guillbert and Ginger Mail got back on track and had a say too.