13:30 Kelso

Saturday 7 November 2026

All12:2012:5513:3014:0014:3515:1015:45

Graeme Todd Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 3.92s

Forest Blaze^p,t1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 98

14/1

Bagged a couple of handicaps at Hexham in 2024/25. Placed on a few occasions last season and looked rusty after 7 months off when fifth of 9 in handicap at Hexham (2½m, good to soft) on his recent return. Can take a step forward with tongue strap fitted for the first time.

Form: 23250-5

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Benefit Ben^b²¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 97| CD

10/1

Scored over C&D on his reappearance last season when also a winner over fences at Musselburgh (3m) in December. Not disgraced on final start with fourth in handicap chase here (2¾m, good to soft) in April. No forlorn hope.

Form: 1560F4-

Starlyte^p,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Gregor Walkingshaw⁽⁷⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 95| BF| CD

14/1

C&D winner but it's 15 runs since that success and only sixth of 7 in handicap over C&D (good to firm) last time. Needs to step forward.

Form: 44-3446

Lester Mail^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 94| C

7/2

Fair bumper winner here. Not quite reached that level over hurdles yet but back from 6 months off (tongue tied) with a solid third of 9 at Hexham (2½m, good to soft) 18 days ago, sticking to his task well. May have more to offer in this sphere and a player here.

Form: 0454-43

Annual Invitation⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: Christian Williams| OR: 93

7/1

Placed in Irish points and has shaped with promise without being knocked about in a handful of runs over hurdles, tenth of 13 on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in September. Capable of better over this longer trip. Worth a market check.

Form: 279-570

Miss Arabella²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: A M Thomson| OR: 90

66/1

Placed twice in maiden hurdles during 2023/24. Back from nearly 2½ years off when a well-held seventh of 9 in novice hurdle at Perth (2m, soft) 23 days ago. Lots more is required.

Form: 26237/7

Fairly Fulling^p,t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 89

9/2

Belatedly off the mark at Newcastle (2½m) in March and doubled his tally at Perth (2½m) in July. Solid fourth of 11 in handicap at Wetherby (21f, good to firm) 8 days ago.

Form: 1-P4184

Gonnino¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: Gary Rutherford| OR: 88

9/1

Remains a maiden but posted a good fifth of 13 in refitted cheekpieces (retained) at Carlisle (2½m, good to soft) 16 days ago. Not out of things off a 2 lb lower mark.

Form: 624-545

Valtteri Its James³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 86

4/1

Point winner. Pulled up on chasing debut and shaped well back hurdling after 5 months off with third of 8 in handicap over C&D (good to firm) last month. Remains lightly raced and very much one to consider.

Form: 6674-P3

Lone Star^p,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 86| D

14/1

It's now 13 runs since her last win in 2025 but she arrives in decent nick, fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle over C&D (good to firm) last month. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 437464

Billable Grant¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 79

9/1

Ended a long losing sequence at Perth (3m) last April. Resumed from 16 months off with a good second of 13 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (2½m, good to soft) 16 days ago. Needs to back it up now.

Form: 91/405-2

Forecasts

Lester Mail (7/2), Valtteri Its James (4/1), Fairly Fulling (9/2), Annual Invitation (7/1), Billable Grant (9/1), Gonnino (9/1), Benefit Ben (10/1), Forest Blaze (14/1), Lone Star (14/1), Starlyte (14/1), Miss Arabella (66/1)

Lots with chances but LESTER MAIL rates just the pick of the weights and is taken to build on a recent Hexham third after an absence and add to his bumper success here. Valtteri Its James heads the dangers, although a market move for Annual Invitation could prove significant.