14:50 Kelso

Saturday 2 March 2024

All13:4214:1714:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 4.44s

Benson^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 139| CD

7/1

Won this race 12 months ago and arrives in form again after a win over 2½m and fourth over 2m (competitive Scottish County Hurdle) at Musselburgh this year. Unlikely to give up his crown without a fight.

Form: 1P-4414

Anyharminasking⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136| BF| D

12/1

Right back on the up when second at Newbury (20.5f) in December but not in the same form when only fourth at Doncaster a fortnight later, looking a bit quirky again.

Form: 34-2924

Geromino^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 136| D

18/1

Arrives on the back of 2 wins at Doncaster under Charlie Maggs around the turn of the year, holding on gamely from an unexposed type over 19.5f latterly. The pair were nicely clear so he doesn't look overburdened up 8 lb.

Form: 222U11

Little Mixup⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark McDonagh⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 132| D

33/1

Has improved with each start this season, resuming winning ways in 2m Thurles handicap (heavy) 6 weeks ago. Not obviously well treated from his British mark, though.

Form: 150-031

N'Golo^p,t⁴⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: P Neville| OR: 131| D

80/1

Produced a a career best to win the Swinton at Haydock in May 2022 but not seen since finishing down the field in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November of that year. A watching brief has to be the percentage call.

Form: 4762/10-

Bingoo⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Liam Harrison| T: James Moffatt| OR: 130| D

14/1

Four-time 2m Hexham winner who showed he can do it at other venues when winning 2½m Aintree handicap (heavy) on Boxing Day reappearance. Made striking move into contention and the drop back to 2m shouldn't faze him. Not discounted.

Form: 13311-1

Rewired²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 127| D

12/1

Winner of 2m handicaps at Doncaster and Taunton on his 2 starts this season. A further 7 lb rise is unlikely to prevent this thriving sort going well on hs hat-trick bid.

Form: 2214-11

Bass Rock⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lewis Dobb⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 127| D

22/1

In better form than it might appear, just getting going having been outpaced when blundering 2 out in 2½m Musselburgh handicap chase in January. Lower mark over hurdles but this test probably sharper than ideal.

Form: 124U-P6

Salsada^p,t³¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: B Ellison| OR: 126

14/1

Useful Flat/hurdles winner who got right back on track when second to Epatante in 2m Grade 2 at Doncaster last January. Sound effort from out of the weights in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr 12 weeks later but hasn't been seen since.

Form: 122/25-

Ginger Mail^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 124| CD

16/1

Largely consistent type who was back to winning ways when seeing off Cracking Rhapsody in a small-field race over C&D in January. Found that reopposing rival too strong back here since and probably vulnerable in this deeper race.

Form: 2P-2013

Caithness²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123| CD

20/1

Comfortable all-the-way winner of C&D maiden/handicap hurdles at Kelso in the autumn. Improved again when a fine third of 17 at Cheltenham in November but hs last 2 efforts have been underwhelming.

Form: 4-11360

The Churchill Lad^h¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 122| D

25/1

Dual juvenile hurdle winner last season and struck gain in 2m Haydock handicap in the mud in December. Below par behind Ginger Mail and Cracking Rhapsody over C&D in January but back on song with a hood refitted when second at Catterick 19 days ago.

Form: 5-72132

Black Hawk Eagle³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 122| D

5/1

Fairly useful Flat/hurdles winner for Noel Meade who has made a good start to life in Britain, winning a Wincanton handicap on Boxing Day and following up at Hereford (2m, good to soft) 4 weeks later. Did it cosily on both occasions and remains of interest off 6 lb higher.

Form: 150-911

Ganapathi^t,v²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Coltherd| T: R M Smith| OR: 122| D

40/1

Useful hurdle/chase winner for Willie Mullins. Has shown he retains ability over fences for new stable this winter but returns to hurdles in a warm race. Others are preferred.

Form: 0-47333

Skycutter²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

7/2

Having only his third start for the Dan Skelton stable when comfortably seeing off 10 rivals over 17f at Carlisle (soft) last month. A 6 lb rise isn't too severe for one whose useful Flat form suggests he could rate even higher in this sphere. Gets the vote.

Form: 829/241

Cracking Rhapsody¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 119| CD

9/1

Perth bumper winner who has made a good start to his hurdle career, turning around January's C&D form with Ginger Mail when edging ahead close home back here 15 days ago. Only nudged up 4 lb and has the potential for better again.

Form: 141221

Ballygeary^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119| CD

11/1

Has made a very positive start to his hurdles career, winning 4 times. Solid efforts in defeat in 2m handicaps at Musselburgh this year and possible he could pull out a bit more for first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 10-3125

Non-Runners

Under Control³⁵

Weight: 11-13| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Skycutter (7/2), Under Control (7/2), Black Hawk Eagle (5/1), Benson (7/1), Cracking Rhapsody (9/1), Ballygeary (11/1), Anyharminasking (12/1), Rewired (12/1), Bingoo (14/1), Salsada (14/1), Ginger Mail (16/1), Geromino (18/1), Caithness (20/1), Bass Rock (22/1), The Churchill Lad (25/1), Little Mixup (33/1), Ganapathi (40/1), N'Golo (80/1)

SKYCUTTER appeals as one who could have more to offer now he's up and running for Dan Skelton and might prove the answer to this highly-competitive handicap. J P McManus, Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combined to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury recently and Under Control, who arrives on the back of a second in a Grade 2, provides them with a good chance of another big pot. Black Hawk Eagle, Cracking Rhapsody and last year's winner Benson are a few of many others who could go well.