15:23 Kelso

Sunday 25 May 2025

All14:1314:4815:2315:5816:3317:08

Borders Growers & Distillers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 6m 20.27s

Les's Legacy^t,p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: S Corbett| OR: 105| C

2/1

Snapped long losing run when readily winning a Hexham handicap in March, tanking through the race with cheekpieces back on. Not quite in the same form back there the following month but bounced back when runner-up in a 0-120 at this venue (22.7f) 18 days ago. One to consider dropping in grade.

Form: 45415-2

Express Run²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: Justin Landy| OR: 100

14/1

Steadily progressive first 3 runs over hurdles prior to pulling up under more testing conditions than previously on handicap debut at Uttoxeter in December. Well-backed following 4 months off (had wind surgery) but may have needed the run when well held at Hexham last time. Step forward required.

Form: 6233P-8

Jack The Savage^t,p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: L Horsfall| OR: 99

8/1

Remains with just the sole win over hurdles. Continued in good heart whilst extending his losing run when fourth in a Huntingdon handicap (25f) 17 days ago. Should be in the mix for placings but overall strike rate somewhat tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 24232-4

Luminaries^t,p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 94

10/1

Showed improved form in to land a hat-trick of 2½m Newcastle handicaps but found run of good form coming to a halt when pulled up at Bangor (soft) 31 days ago, albeit in more testing conditions than he had been facing. No surprise to see him bounce back over longer trip on better ground.

Form: 87111P-

Wee Alki^t,p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 93| BF

15/8

Maiden has been most consistent switched to handicaps, couldn't have gone any closer to getting off the mark when narrowly denied at Kelso (25.8f) earlier this month. Only 1 lb higher and merits respect in first time cheekpieces.

Form: 55243-2

Billable Grant³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 81| D

9/2

Ended long losing run back over hurdles when landing an 11-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (23.9f, soft) 32 days ago, benefitting from the leaders pressing on a fair way from home. Remains to be seen if he gets a similar test here but he remains on a fair mark with a useful conditional taking over.

Form: 047591-

Non-Runners

Robyndeglory¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: C Collins J: Jordan Gainford

West Lawn⁴¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 9

T: J Walton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Wee Alki (15/8), Les's Legacy (2/1), Billable Grant (9/2), Jack The Savage (8/1), Luminaries (10/1), Robyndeglory (12/1), Express Run (14/1), West Lawn (16/1)

Having snapped a long losing run in March, LES'S LEGACY bounced right back to form in a 0-120 at this track earlier this month and may be able to capitalise on this drop in grade. Billable Grant is still on a fair mark following his Perth win and will be seen to best effect if they go a true gallop, Wee Alki should be up there with the pace and is another to consider having only been narrowly denied off 1 lb lower last time.