15:30 Kelso

Saturday 28 February 2026

All13:1013:4014:1514:5515:3016:0016:3517:10

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 4f 189y | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: P Atkinson| OR: 133

In cracking form when winning 3 times between March and June last year and looked better than ever after 7 months off when second of 4 in 2m3f handicap at Doncaster 36 days ago. Well in the mix.

Form: 012-112

Skyjack Hijack⁴⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 133| BF

12/1

Front-running hurdler who enjoyed a remarkable 2024 when completing a 6-timer in novice and handicap company at up to 3m. Off since coming in a well-held fifth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham 14 months ago but this likeable sort still warrants respect.

Form: 111115-

Good To Be Alive³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 130| D

11/4

Failed to go on after a winning debut for Gordon Elliott last season but on the up for his current yard, twice runner-up before going one better in 2m4f Plumpton handicap hurdle 33 days ago. Up 4 lb but still quite lightly raced and firmly in the picture.

Form: 145-221

Both Barrels⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 124| C

11/1

Low mileage for his age and notched a second course success just after Christmas. Unable to get to the front in more competitive 3m handicap at Haydock since and this is no easy ask either.

Form: 761-816

Florida Dreams²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 123

3/1

It's now 11 runs since his last win in 2024 but he's holding his form well, sixth of 13 in 3m handicap hurdle at Musselburgh 27 days ago. Needs considering from a slipping mark.

Form: 4-22336

Smart Decision²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 122| BF

6/1

Enhanced an excellent strike rate when scoring at Leicester and Market Rasen either side of Christmas. Posted a solid fourth of 11 in 2m1f handicap at Carlisle 25 days ago. Weighted to go well back up in trip.

Form: 1-31124

Bold Light¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 120| CD

9/1

Enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign when a three-time scorer, including in this contest. Yet to fire this season but he's not without interest reverted to this sphere after a brief stint chasing and his yard now back on the up.

Form: 5-6484U

Frontier Prince²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117| BF

9/2

Got off the mark in 2m Chepstow novice in October and has advanced his form since sent handicapping, third of 10 at Kempton (2m) 26 days ago. Can't be discounted now stepping up in trip.

Form: 7-21353

Forecasts

Good To Be Alive (5/2), Florida Dreams (11/4), Frontier Prince (6/1), Smart Decision (7/1), Bold Light (8/1), Fingal's Hill (10/1), Both Barrels (10/1), Skyjack Hijack (14/1)

This looks wide open so at the likely odds it could be worth siding with last year's victor BOLD LIGHT to bounce back in style after an unproductive spell chasing with his yard also right back on the up of late. Smart Decision seems sure to be on the premises off a still handy-looking mark, while in-form duo Good To Be Alive and Fingal's Hill are firmly in the picture too.