14:20 Kelso

Saturday 1 March 2025

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0416:39

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 11.98s

Mr Bramley²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 130

10/3

Progressive in bumpers and similar story over hurdles, making it 4 wins from 6 starts in this sphere when landing 17-runner handicap at Wetherby (19.7f) last time. Likeable type and he can make his presence felt once more.

Form: 113-131

Nab Wood¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 124| C

6/1

Looked potentially useful when winning at this course on final 2 starts (both at 22.7f) last season. Progressed further on first 2 outings of the current campaign, narrowly denied at Ayr (20.4f) in January, and he's worth another chance after an early unseat last time.

Form: 211-62U

Bold Light²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Power⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123| C

17/2

Confirmed previous promise when winning maiden here (16.2f) in October and also successful on handicap debut at Musselburgh (19.8f) on New Year's Day, Beaten 15 lengths when third of 5 in novice at Musselburgh (23.8f) last time, so will need to find more back in a handicap.

Form: 2-31313

Ace Of Spades⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| C

5/2

Bumper winner last spring and going the right way over hurdles, showing willing attitude when winning a Cheltenham maiden (16.4f) in November before defying a penalty in novice at this course (22.7f) 6 weeks later. Respected as he goes handicapping with further improvement to come.

Form: 21-4211

Gaillimh A Stor^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122| BF

25/1

Novice hurdle winner back in 2022. Good placed efforts in handicaps first 3 starts this season after a long absence, narrowly denied twice at Ayr, before a poor effort tried again over fences at this course (23.4f) 15 days ago. Could bounce back reverted to hurdling.

Form: F3/322P

Inox Allen^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| D

18/1

Won first 2 of 4 starts over hurdles last term and showed promise when third of 5 at Uttoxeter (24f) on chase/seasonal debut. Back over hurdles, shaped better than result when well beaten at Haydock last time, unable to sustain his forward move, so he's not ruled out.

Form: 1134-37

Joecooker¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: R Menzies| OR: 120

12/1

Winner of a Wexford bumper for Mary E Doyle last summer and opened hurdles account on third start for current yard, landing the odds in maiden at Hexham (20.1f) in December. Tough ask in Grade 2 at Haydock last time, so he could fare better as he makes handicap debut.

Form: 416315

Young Jack¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 119| C

10/1

Doubled his tally in handicap at this course (22.7f) in December but well below that level on his next 2 outings. However, he got back on track under a patient ride when third here 15 days ago, sticking to his task, though faces a tougher ask in this contest.

Form: 9-510P3

Fingal's Hill^p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: P Atkinson| OR: 117

7/1

Recorded a 4-timer in handicaps in 2023 and has been working his way back up to full fitness this season, just about seeing the longer trip when 5½ lengths sixth of 8 at Catterick (25.3f) in January. Edging back down in the weights and he can give his running again.

Form: 24-8356

Fontana Ellissi^p,t1⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Benjamin Macey⁽⁷⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 110| D

33/1

Fair winning handicap hurdler who has been lightly raced in recent seasons, always behind after a further 13 months off at Newbury (24.2f) in January. Tongue strap now applied with cheekpieces back on, but others still preferred.

Form: 522/75-8

Forecasts

Ace Of Spades (5/2), Mr Bramley (10/3), Nab Wood (6/1), Fingal's Hill (7/1), Bold Light (17/2), Young Jack (10/1), Joecooker (12/1), Inox Allen (18/1), Gaillimh A Stor (25/1), Fontana Ellissi (33/1)

MR BRAMLEY has made a very bright start to his hurdling career, resuming winning ways when justifying favouritism in a big-field handicap at Wetherby last time, and he can continue his progress to add to his tally. Ace of Spades isn't taken lightly as his bids for a hat-trick on his handicap debut, while Nab Wood is also considered back at this venue.