13:40 Kelso

Wednesday 8 May 2024

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Aitken Turnbull Architects Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 40.36s

Percy's Word^t⁶¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: J Bedi| OR: 121

150/1

Fairly useful hurdler at best, recording a second win of 2022/23 when landing the odds with the minimum of fuss in a Newton Abbot seller (18.5f) in September. However, has been off 20 months since as he makes first run for yard after leaving Dan Skelton.

Form: 012431/

Billy Boi Blue^t⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: J J Burke| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 119

17/2

Bumper winner for Fergal O'Brien who got off the mark over hurdles in likeable fashion at Hereford in January. Ran to a similar level when second of 3 in a Wetherby novice (19.7f) in March and he remains open to improvement now handicapping.

Form: 17/4212-

Idem¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 118| C

7/2

Made it 2-2 over hurdles when scoring in good style at this course (20.9f) in September and has been shaping encouragingly in defeat since, left with a lot to do when fifth of 10 at Ayr (24.3f) last time. Major player with the potential of better still to come.

Form: 2/114F5-

Magic Wave⁹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 117| BF

7/1

Made light of a 12-month absence when landing the odds in a Market Rasen maiden (20.6f) in November. Hasn't been able to build on that in 2 subsequent outings, pulled up when sent off favourite on handicap debut last time, but it still remains early days for him.

Form: 212/12P-

Brandy Mcqueen¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 116| CD

12/1

Progressive staying hurdler in 2022/23 who made a winning start over fences at this track in October. Didn't go on from that effort, but reverted to hurdles he took a step back in the right direction when mid-field at Ayr (24.3f) last time. Needs to build on his latest run.

Form: 137P47-

Harper Valley^p1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 115

11/1

Third success of a productive campaign when seeing off 6 rivals at Catterick (19.3f) in February. Ran at least as well when third at this course (20.9f) next time, but never involved in race won by Kingston Bridge here on his latest outing. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 143130-

Ilikedwayurthinkin⁹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 115| D

11/1

Useful winning handicap hurdler/chaser in Ireland for Gavin Cromwell but has struggled for form over hurdles for his current yard, well held at Wetherby in February. Has enough to prove at present.

Form: P567P7-

Kingston Bridge²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 110| C

5/1

Opened his hurdles account at the second attempt and placed in handicaps at Hexham and this C&D to end 2023. After a couple of below-par efforts, back on the up when winning 16-runner contest here (20.9f) 23 days ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 633681-

Pure Sirloin²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 110

125/1

Made a winning handicap debut at Navan (20f) in January 2023 but hasn't progressed as hoped since, failing to come on for his previous run when pulled up Listowel when last seen in September. Others more persuasive on first start since leaving Gavin Cromwell.

Form: 013P/0P-

Dream Boy²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 106| C

17/2

Irish point winner who struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in maiden at this course (16.2f) in December. Has made the frame here all 3 starts since, taking a small step forward in 16-runner handicap (20.9f) last time. Can give another good account.

Form: 451444-

Swallows Song¹⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 103

13/2

Bumper winner/fair maiden over hurdles. Best effort since switched to fences when third in 5-runner handicap at this course (23.4f) on latest start in November. Capable of getting involved back hurdling if ready to go after 5 months off.

Form: 35/2353-

Haveyougotmymoney^p¹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: Paul Robson| OR: 102| BF

18/1

Gained reward for several good efforts in defeat when landing Southwell handicap (24.3f) in October. Ran poorly when last seen in December, but he appeals as the type to bounce back given a longer break ahead of this run.

Form: 212259-

Starlyte^p,t²¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 99| BF| C

20/1

Made a winning return to hurdles for current yard at Newcastle in November 2022. In the frame 4 times from 6 starts in 2023/24, though would have benefited from setting a stronger pace when 3¼ lengths last of 6 at this course (20.9f) in October. More needed after 7 months off.

Form: 334746-

Kajaki^b²¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 99

33/1

Won at Sedgefield and Perth in 2022/23 (both at around 20f) and ran well at the latter course when fourth in August. However, not in the same form on his 2 subsequent outings, so others make more appeal after 7 months off (blinkers reapplied).

Form: 61/4498-

Swift Reply⁹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: J Kington| T: S Waugh| OR: 77

200/1

Mixed form switched to handicaps on his last 3 starts, running one of his better races when second at Sedgefield (19.8f) in January. However, well held at the same C&D the following month and he's a long way out of the weights in this contest.

Form: 965P20-

Forecasts

Idem (7/2), Kingston Bridge (5/1), Swallows Song (13/2), Magic Wave (7/1), Dream Boy (17/2), Billy Boi Blue (17/2), Harper Valley (11/1), Ilikedwayurthinkin (11/1), Brandy Mcqueen (12/1), Haveyougotmymoney (18/1), Starlyte (20/1), Kajaki (33/1), Pure Sirloin (125/1), Percy's Word (150/1), Swift Reply (200/1)

IDEM has made a promising start to his hurdling career, successful both outings in novices before shaping up well switched to handicaps, so he is taken to resume winning ways as he drops back down in grade. He can get the better of handicap-debutant Billy Boi Blue, while last-time-out course winner Kingston Bridge is also considered.