16:00 Kelso

Sunday 26 May 2024

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Five Star Taxis Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 42.00s

Melusine De Pail⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: Noel Williams| OR: 109

7/1

Point winner who has shaped with encouragement on each hurdling outing, third at Chepstow on handicap debut last time. Not discounted.

Form: F1/3223-

Lone Star^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 108

12/1

Had a productive time in 2022/23, scoring 5 times. Not quite in same form last campaign and failed to beat a rival at Stratford 17 days ago. Needs to get back on track upped in trip.

Form: 6384F-7

Blue Baloo⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 104

7/2

Fairly useful in bumpers and made a successful debut over hurdles in 12-runner maiden at Newcastle (2½m, good to soft) in November. Below that level since though and has a bit to prove.

Form: 14/1749-

Mistral Nell¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 102

3/1

Latest win in hurdle at Catterick in December. Creditable second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Hereford (25.5f, good, 15/2) 19 days ago. Unexposed over this distance and worth chancing to go one better.

Form: PP217-2

Bright Sunbird^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 98| D

15/2

28/1, first run since leaving Gary Hanmer when creditable sixth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (19.8f, good) 16 days ago. Looked as good as ever and merits respect back up in trip with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 43518-6

Aazza⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 96

9/1

Successful at Doncaster last January and largely in good form since. Rare poor effort at Ayr 78 days ago but likely to bounce back after a break.

Form: 2/96040-

Starlyte^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 96| C

6/1

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, and performed respectably when ninth of 15 at this course last time. Can get involved if the race is run to suit.

Form: 34746-9

Somebody's Fortune^t,v1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 86

10/1

Placed in points and, while she's only hinted at ability in this sphere, there's plenty of scope for improvement now upped in trip with a visor on for handicap debut. Player.

Form: 32/55F5-

Non-Runners

Joanna I'm Fine¹¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: Mrs J Stephen J: Dylan Johnston

Forecasts

Mistral Nell (3/1), Blue Baloo (7/2), Starlyte (6/1), Melusine De Pail (7/1), Bright Sunbird (15/2), Aazza (9/1), Somebody's Fortune (10/1), Lone Star (12/1), Joanna I'm Fine (20/1)

MISTRAL NELL arrives on the back of a solid showing at Hereford and there's potential for better from her as a stayer, so she's preferred to handicap debutante Somebody's Fortune. Bright Sunbird is also of interest on her second start for her current stable.