14:30 Kelso

Monday 15 April 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:35

Support QME Care Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 5m 53.3s

Bushypark^p1⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 116| CD

40/1

Inconsistent nowadays but back to form when taking advantage of lower hurdles mark at Haydock (3m, heavy) in December. Below form all 3 starts since so needs first-time cheekpieces to spark some sort of revival (now just 1 lb above his last winning mark).

Form: 0P15P6

Woodie Flash^b²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Lewis Saunders⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 115| D

11/2

Irish point winner who got back on the up to double his tally at Warwick (26f) in November, looking well suited by the longer trip. Possibly found the race coming too soon at Lingfield next time but resumed progress after 4 months off at Market Rasen (23.1f, heavy) last month. Player up 3 lb.

Form: 135131

Step Above^t³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 114

10/1

Winning Irish pointer who made a successful hurdles debut at Ayr last season. Hasn't really progressed over fences this term but made a creditable return to hurdles when third in a first-time visor over C&D in February. Let down by jumping since, however.

Form: 2-32P37

Both Barrels⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 109

15/8

Made the frame all 3 starts in bumpers last season and similar story over hurdles this time round, bumping into one and doing well to see off the remainder in spite of a sloppy round of jumping on handicap debut at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) 7 weeks ago. Remains unexposed so he's considered.

Form: 343-432

Pavlik⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 104| C

16/1

Improved when making a successful handicap debut at this track (20.9f) in November 2022. Well held both starts this season but has possibly been working his way back to full fitness. Can't be dismissed following another couple of months off.

Form: F261-97

Artic Mann¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 101| CD

4/1

Has made the frame all 6 runs since returning from a lengthy absence in October, latest when 3¼ lengths second of 8 to Gypsey's Secret at Carlisle (25f, soft) 16 days ago. Shouldn't be far away.

Form: 233422

Gypsey's Secret¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 93

6/1

Got off the mark aged 9 despite being 5 lb out of the handicap at Carlisle (25f, soft) 16 days ago, beating Artic Mann by 3¼ lengths. Drops back in trip and clearly an improved model of late, there's every chance she will kick on now up and running.

Form: 6-P6321

Lahardaun^p1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 93

7/1

Placed on both of his completed starts in Irish points and showed improved form to get off the mark when winning handicap at Hexham (20.1f, heavy) 24 days ago, suited by the emphasis on stamina at the trip. Runner-up that day rather handed it him, but he's lightly raced and should improve.

Form: 2-5P551

Wild Polly^v1²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁵⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 92

33/1

Dropping in the weights but ended last season out of sorts and hasn't offered a great deal of encouragement this year. More severe headgear enlisted but can only be watched.

Form: PB-756P

Hell On Earth^p,t³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: C Bissett| OR: 80

125/1

Remains a maiden after 26 runs and was way too free returning from 5 months off before departing 3 out at Ayr (24.3f, good) last month (tongue tied). Well out of the weights and looks an easy swerve again.

Form: 26/PP-PF

Non-Runners

Pure Sirloin²¹⁰

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: Miss S E Forster J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Both Barrels (15/8), Artic Mann (4/1), Woodie Flash (11/2), Gypsey's Secret (6/1), Lahardaun (7/1), Step Above (10/1), Pavlik (16/1), Pure Sirloin (16/1), Wild Polly (33/1), Bushypark (40/1), Hell On Earth (125/1)

GYPSEY'S SECRET belatedly opened her account when beating Artic Mann by 3¼ lengths at Carlisle recently and Sandy Forster's 9-y-o is fancied to kick on now up and running at the expense of Lahardaun, who was a shade fortunate to score at Hexham last month but is lightly raced and should have more to offer. Woodie Flash scored under this rider last month and he can edge out Both Barrels for third.