14:39 Kelso

Monday 29 December 2025

All11:4512:1912:5413:2914:0414:3915:15

racingtv.com/sale Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:39 | Winning time: 4m 40.62s

Magnolia^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120| BF| C| D

6/1

French import who has progressed this season, winning back-to-back 2m handicaps here with ease on first 2 starts of the campaign. Possibly found the race coming too soon when falling short in hat-trick bid at Musselburgh but, even so, she looks vulnerable now that her new mark has kicked in.

Form: 532-115

Speiriuil^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: A Nicol| OR: 103

2/1

Wasn't able to justify market confidence when mid-field at Carlisle on reappearance/stable debut in October, but subsequently finished second with cheekpieces enlisted at Musselburgh (19.8f, good to soft). Major chance if able to build on that here with the headgear retained.

Form: 4634-82

Inspire Hope³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 103

33/1

Juvenile hurdle winner for Joseph O'Brien in July 2024, but more miss than hit for present yard and while she is edging down the weights, others make more appeal.

Form: 24F33-8

Lowlands³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 101

7/2

Underwent a wind op following a few runs in bumpers last year and has improved with each of her 3 starts switched to hurdles for new connections, most recently finishing a solid second at Musselburgh (19.8f, good to soft) where Magnolia was back in fifth. Solid claims.

Form: 459-422

Nellie Bluesky³⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 100

28/1

Left modest bumper form behind when springing a surprise on hurdles at Perth (2½m, good to soft) in May 2024. Failed to build on that in a couple of appearances last season, but there's a good chance that she'll be seen in a better light now going down the handicap route.

Form: 876/155-

Theirshegoes³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: A M Thomson| OR: 98

22/1

Resumed winning ways in Musselburgh handicap last November and twice placed during the spring, including over 21f here. However, she was never in the hunt on her seasonal reappearance and subsequently departed at the halfway point back at Musselburgh.

Form: 4F-329F

Tread Softly Now^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: I A Duncan| OR: 96| CD

13/2

Two-time winner last season and opened her account for this campaign with a ready victory in a 14-runner Ayr handicap hurdle (19.5f, soft) last month. Ran no sort of a race (reportedly lost her action and a shoe) at Sedgefield since, but she'll be a threat if bouncing back.

Form: 0-6921P

She's Notjoeking⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 95

10/3

Ended last season on a bit of a downer, but has made the frame all 3 starts in handicaps this season, including when third to Tread Softly Now at Ayr last month. Enjoys a 7 lb pull at the weights with that rival here and she has to enter calculations.

Form: 34P-443

Theatre Light^t1⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 91WS

100/1

Point winner who made a promising start over hurdles after 17 months off when second in a Carlisle maiden (19f, good) in April. Rather disappointing since, though, including when down the field on return at Hexham, and hopes pinned on subsequent wind op/first time tongue strap working the oracle.

Form: 21/27-5P

Forecasts

Speiriuil (2/1), She's Notjoeking (10/3), Lowlands (7/2), Magnolia (6/1), Tread Softly Now (13/2), Theirshegoes (22/1), Nellie Bluesky (28/1), Inspire Hope (33/1), Theatre Light (100/1)

A first success in handicap company could be in the offing for SHE'S NOTJOEKING, who should benefit from this slight drop back in trip judged on her effort at Ayr where she was bang there at the second-last before weakening in the closing stages, eventually finishing 7¾ lengths third to Tread Softly Now. She now enjoys a healthy pull at the weights with that rival and while Tread Softly Now still warrants respect, Speiriuil and Lowlands rate the main dangers in that order of preference.