15:20 Kelso

Saturday 25 October 2025

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Midburn Construction Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 3m 56.34s

Benson^p,t¹³³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 111| CD

14/1

Useful handicapper at his best but has been operating well below that level for some time now, failing to back up his dubious previous effort when pulling up in a handicap at Hexham (20.1f) in June, never travelling. Previous C&D winner returns in a lower grade but remains with plenty to prove.

Form: P66-64P

Star Of Guiting¹⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 108

22/1

Strong-travelling juvenile hurdle winner doesn't always find off the bridle but ran well to finish third (ahead of a subsequent winner) at Ludlow on final start for the Twiston-Davies yard. Tongue strap removed on first run for new yard and could take a step forward on just his third handicap start.

Form: 12314-3

Two Auld Pals³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 106| D

15/2

Ran respectably under a more positive ride when fifth in an 8-runner Doncaster handicap (2m) on latest hurdle start in December but has been out of sorts on the Flat in recent months. Races off his last winning hurdle mark and could be interesting if the switch to jumping sparks a return to form.

Form: 2231/65-

Inca Prince^h⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 105| D

9/1

Won a trio of races as a juvenile and ran well when runner-up at Perth on final outing in 2023. Shaped as if retaining some ability after 23 months off (having typically taken a strong hold) at Market Rasen in July but still has questions to answer following a further 3-month absence.

Form: 53552/6

Heart Above³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 105| C| D

5/4

Yet to finish out of the placings in six starts at this track including a career best victory in a 2m2f handicap here last month, seeing out his race strongly. That form looks solid and he should give another good account despite a career-high mark.

Form: 5-2R441

Bathgate¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 104| D

16/1

Took a few runs to hit top gear last season but did improve land a pair of 0-100 handicaps at Sedgefield and Catterick. Likely needed his reappearance at Sedgefield earlier this month and he's entitled to come on from that.

Form: 21250-5

Rossbridge³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 104| D

10/1

Irish point winner shaped like a stayer sole outing in bumpers and made a successful hurdle debut in 8-runner novice at Ludlow in February 2024, jumping fluently. Likely in need of the run at Perth last time following a 20-month absence and interesting to see if the market expects better here.

Form: 52131/5

Magnolia^t¹⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102

14/1

Steadily improved for new connections last season, finishing third from a less-than-ideal position at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) and posted her best effort on these shores 8 weeks on when runner-up at Perth (20.2f) in April. Drops back in trip but could have a say if ready to roll on her return.

Form: 896532-

Well Educated³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 100| CD

15/2

C&D winner hasn't had things fall his way this season but turned in a lethargic effort with cheekpieces refitted over 2½m at Perth last month. Could be suited by a strongly-run 2m but will need to travel with more fluency with headgear now removed.

Form: 325650

Hourless¹⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 94| DWS

10/1

Fair juvenile hurdle winner for Alan King but has shaped with little promise in most recent starts for current connections. Has undergone a breathing operation and will need to improve significantly on reappearance.

Form: 763-646

Darkest Day^p,t⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 74| C| D

50/1

Course winner is on a long losing run but did stop the slide when fourth at this track (20.9f) at the beginning of the month. Tougher test turned out quickly at Carlisle 9 days ago and again faces an uphill task from 10 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 5P6040

Forecasts

Heart Above (5/4), Two Auld Pals (15/2), Well Educated (15/2), Inca Prince (9/1), Rossbridge (10/1), Hourless (10/1), Magnolia (14/1), Benson (14/1), Bathgate (16/1), Star Of Guiting (22/1), Darkest Day (50/1)

HEART ABOVE has yet to finish out of the placings at this track and was better than ever when winning here last month. He can defy a career-high mark to follow up that victory, with Two Auld Pals feared most back on his latest winning mark over hurdles. Magnolia steadily improved last season and could feature if ready to roll on her reappearance.