13:42 Kelso

Saturday 2 March 2024

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

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 5m 16.21s

Brewin'upastorm^t⁶¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 147

12/1

Veteran who bagged his second National Sprint Hurdle on back of a wind op 12 months ago before stamina gave out late on in Aintree Grade 1 final start. Better for return when third in Relkeel Hurdle in January and this switch back to handicaps a plus.

Form: 2518-23

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Pentland Hills⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

9/1

Very smart in his pomp (won 2019 Triumph Hurdle) and produced easily his best effort for some time when a smooth-travelling second at Doncaster (19.4f, good to soft) in December. Remains on an attractive mark up 2 lb and he has to enter calculations. One of 2 representing the Henderson yard.

Form: 9/14FP-2

Itso Fury^t¹⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 130| D

17/2

Won his first 2 outings over hurdles and shaped with encouragement sent handicapping on his remaining 3 starts last season. Pulled up on return but different proposition with that under his belt, running out a good winner at Wincanton (19.8f) in November. Comes here fresh and worth a look.

Form: 1235-P1

Serious Operator^t⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 126| CD

7/2

Enhanced good strike rate over hurdles when successful at Doncaster (19.4f) in December and ran well from revised mark when fifth in Lanzarote Hurdle (21f) since, staying on from 2 out. This less demanding and he ought to remain competitive.

Form: 61-7915

Rafferty's Return^t,v1¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 125| D

11/1

Multiple hurdles winner who benefited from the drop back in trip when landing 4-runner handicap hurdle at Carlisle (19.3f) 12 days ago, clear run-in and running on. Cheekpieces worn then replaced by visor but rise in weights demands bit more in this stronger affair.

Form: 4-53441

The Kalooki Kid³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 124

3/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who opened his account over hurdles at Musselburgh and improved again when running out a comfortable winner of a Newcastle novice (16.9f) in December. Stronger gallop would have suited when fourth in Grade 2 company since and he remains of interest now handicapping/back up in trip.

Form: 37-3114

Foster'sisland²⁸

18/1

Signed off last season with success at Bangor (19.5f) and bettered opening pair of exploits this term when runner-up at Wetherby (19.7f) in January. Lesser run back there 4 weeks ago but undergone wind surgery ahead of this.

Form: 21-5425

Russian Ruler^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: B S Hughes| T: N J Henderson| OR: 122

28/1

Evidently not been the easiest to train but he seemed on the improve when landing a Newbury handicap and Kempton novice late last season. Showed aptitude on his Newbury chase debut but pulled up both starts since and something to prove now back over hurdles.

Form: F11-4PP

Ilanz^h⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 121

7/2

Made it 3 wins from only 5 starts in handicap hurdles when making light of an 11-month absence at Wincanton (2½m) 7 weeks ago, leading on the line. 8 lb rise is fair enough given he came clear with a progressive sort. Not out of things.

Form: 31133-1

Forecasts

The Kalooki Kid (3/1), Serious Operator (7/2), Ilanz (7/2), Itso Fury (17/2), Pentland Hills (9/1), Rafferty's Return (11/1), Brewin'upastorm (12/1), Foster'sisland (18/1), Russian Ruler (28/1)

A dual novice hurdle winner during the second half of last year, THE KALOOKI KID was far from disgraced when fourth in Grade 2 company at Doncaster 5 weeks ago and, with the step back up in trip a positive, he could be the way to go from what appeals as a workable opening mark. Itso Fury and Pentland Hills head up the dangers, with Serious Operator another expected to feature.