14:33 Kelso

Sunday 5 October 2025

All13:5814:3315:1315:4316:1816:53

Simpsons Malt Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 5m 7.30s

The Gray Ghost^h,t²⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 120

11/2

Irish bumper winner got off the mark over hurdles in a 2½m Newcastle novice and improved to finish runner-up on handicap debut at Musselburgh (19.8f) in February. Shaped a bit better than the result in a deeper race at Kempton the following month and merits respect back down in grade on his return.

Form: 140127-

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Maghlaak^t,v²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: A Keatley| OR: 115

7/2

Ran well on latest hurdles start/first attempt over this trip when a narrow runner-up at Market Rasen in July but well below form on the Flat at Musselburgh last time (connections blaming conditions). Reunites with Brian Hughes and may get back on track in a change of headgear on hurdles return.

Form: 3443-42

Asa²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 106| BF

18/1

Thrived over the winter, better than ever scoring by 27 lengths when landing a double at Southwell (24.3f) in February but fell when bidding for a hat-trick at Catterick 8 days later. Absent since but could still be well-treated if returning in the same form.

Form: P1211F-

Jakana⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr| OR: 106

40/1

Dual winner for Fergal O'Brien last season but lost his way for that yard. First off the bridle when a somewhat fortunate runner-up in a weak handicap at Hexham (20.1f) on stable debut prior to finishing lame when well-held at Perth in July. Given a break but will need to improve.

Form: 1505-25

Starlyte^p,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 105| CD

17/2

Dual C&D winner last season, latterly when seen to good effect in a better race. Third over C&D on reappearance but hasn't built on that, needed more of a test when sixth in an 8-runner handicap behind The Navigator at Kelso (good). Could prove more competitive with some ease in the ground.

Form: 515-306

The Navigator¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 104| CD

7/4

Won this race off a 7 lb lower mark last year but arrives on the back of his best effort for a while, ridden from the front for a third C&D success 18 days ago, despite being 1 lb out of the handicap in a deeper race. Up 5 lb for that win but should give a good account back in calmer waters.

Form: 46P131

Red Force One^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Miss Natasha Cookson⁽⁷⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102| D

50/1

Bounced back to form under favourable circumstances to win a small field handicap on the Flat at Musselburgh in August but hasn't backed that up, well beaten on first hurdles start for 2 years at Uttoxeter (23.3f) last month. Back down in trip but arrives with something to prove.

Form: 7521P/0

Fostered Phil^t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 101

4/1

Veteran was picked up cheaply by current connections and was backed at long odds when successful in a 13-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (20.2f, good) 27 days ago, building on promise of previous efforts this season. Should hold his own back up in grade.

Form: 44-4361

Forecasts

The Navigator (7/4), Maghlaak (7/2), Fostered Phil (4/1), The Gray Ghost (11/2), Starlyte (17/2), Asa (18/1), Jakana (40/1), Red Force One (50/1)

ASA thrived over the winter and having still looked well-treated when falling at Market Rasen in February, she could run a big race if returning in the same form. The Navigator won this race off 7 lb lower last year but arrives on the back of a C&D victory in a stronger race, while Maghlaak finished a close second on his sole start over 2½m at Market Rasen and may get back on track in a change of headgear, reunited with Brian Hughes.