14:15 Kelso

Monday 7 April 2025

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Support QME Care Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 47.20s

High Dancer¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 111

6/1

Ran to a fair level when third at Kelso on his hurdles debut and confirmed that promise having been well-backed last time, producing his best effort to date winning 6-runner novice hurdle at Haydock (21.2f, good to firm) 19 days ago. Lightly-raced and could be more to come over slightly longer trip.

Form: 5-134B1

Diamond Dealer^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J M Quinlan| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 108| BF

5/2

Opened his account in first-time tongue strap at Uttoxeter in October. Well held both subsequent starts but returned to form (after 11 weeks off) last time, well-backed finishing runner up in a 9-runner handicap at Doncaster (20.8f), raced keenly. Interesting if he can back that up over longer trip.

Form: 45-1562

Kilbrainy^t¹⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 107| C

20/1

Course winner capitalised on a falling mark at Carlisle (20f) in October and ran at least as well in defeat when fourth at Ayr (20.4f, good to soft) the following month. May just need the run following 145-day absence and is worth a market check.

Form: 6-80014

Dollar Collar³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107

12/1

Irish point winner quickly reached a fair level over hurdles last year but has struggled to match that form this season, again out of sorts at Ayr last month. Hard to recommend on recent evidence.

Form: 2-PP54P

Shoeshine Boy⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: D W Whillans| OR: 106| C| D

6/1

Course winner last season and started this season in good style when winning at Hexham on reappearance in November. Has performed no more than respectably in his 4 outings since but he's now back down to the same mark as when successful on his return.

Form: 5-13565

Balcomie Breeze³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin| T: G Boanas| OR: 104

13/2

Placed twice in bumpers and left previous hurdles form behind when landing a 15.7f Catterick handicap in January. Backed that up when runner-up from 6 lb higher mark back at that venue (19.3f) but unable to build on that when well-held at Market Rasen last month. Could bounce back up in trip.

Form: 406127

Half Track³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 101WS

5/1

Well handicapped on best form and took a step back in the right direction when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) in first-time cheekpieces. Makes appeal on first run following wind surgery.

Form: U32404

Evenwood Sonofagun^p,t³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 96

12/1

Belatedly off the mark when narrowly taking 8-runner handicap hurdle (12/1) at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) and again ran creditably from 3 lb higher (races off same mark again) when fourth in a 19.3f Catterick handicap last month. Not ruled out back up in distance.

Form: 725614

Wearelongterm²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 95

11/1

Showed promise over hurdles when runner-up at Wetherby (24.1f) in January, but has failed to build on that, finishing last at Ayr on his next start prior to being pulled-up over fences last month. Inconsistent but capable if on a going day.

Form: 4-P728P

Non-Runners

Sam's Choice⁴⁰

Weight: 12-1| Age: 9

T: R Menzies J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Diamond Dealer (5/2), Half Track (5/1), High Dancer (6/1), Shoeshine Boy (6/1), Balcomie Breeze (13/2), Wearelongterm (11/1), Dollar Collar (12/1), Evenwood Sonofagun (12/1), Kilbrainy (20/1), Sam's Choice (20/1)

HALF TRACK hasn't been disgraced in better company than this, and he may be able to make the most of a drop in grade following wind surgery. Diamond Dealer is a big danger on the back of a creditable runner-up effort following 11 weeks off, while Shoeshine Boy may be able to hit the frame now racing back off his last winning mark.