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I’m ferrying my wife back and forth across Dunfermline this morning before setting off for Kelso, so this preview is rather brief. The Borders track has a decent card, headlined by a very strong looking Grade 2 novice hurdle and an appearance by the current Grand National favourite.
The gronud has dried out nicely this week and now reads Good To Soft. The forecast is dry but cloudy, no bad thing at Kelso where a low sun can cause problems in later races.
2.00
Nothing is particularly moving forward in this event, all pretty well exposed, though Tartan Snow might have an edge if jumping holds. My ides of a winner is SEEYAAJ who has run some fair races of late. His third at Musselburgh behind Elite Land might well have set him right for this one. The rest well all beaten a fair way last time, though any of the seven have bits of form suggesting a chance.
2.30
I like WIND SHUFFLE best here. He possibly found the stiff test beyond him at Carlisle last time, but he jumps well and this event doesn’t look over-taxing. Alfie Flits has ability but his jumping let him down here last time.
There are interesting chasing newcomers led by Nine Stories from Howard Johnson’s yard and James Ewart’s Signalman. The selection’s experience may be enough.3.05
Pokfulham, winner of a seller and then stepeping up with two handicap seconds, sets teh standard here and won’t be far away. PATTERNING looked a fair prospect when coming clear on the run-in at Musselburgh.
Other with a chance are Proud Times, a close second to Flinty Bay last time, and Freddie Brown who seemed to need the race last time but has impressed me as a jumping type and will win over obstacles. The paddock might tell me a bit regarding the latter.3.40
Ballabriggs comes here as a warm up for a National bid. He’s on a five race winning run and won nicely over hurdles last time. That being said, I’d expect that he wouldn’t be at his absolute peak here.
Chief Dan George might need a slightly stiffer test and i’d take a chance with Nicky Richards’s SKIPPERS BRIG whose handicap hurdle win last time reads soundly enough and he wouldn’yt have much to find at the weights.4.15
This is a cracking Grade 2 contest, as good a race as Kelso have put on for a while. All ten runners have won this season.
STORM BRIG, potentially as good a Scottish novice as I’ve have seen in recent years, will be put to the test. My impression is that he is a bit special and good enough to see these off.
Robert Gibbs has previewed the race on his thread and rather stolen my thunder by pointing out BOLD SIR BRIAN. I feel that this one has plenty of improvement and I’ve had a small bet at decent odds this morning.
Desert Cry won with a fair bit in hand at Sedgefield adn looks best of the rest. Bogside and Priceless Art were first and third in a strong novice here recently. Wyse Hill Teabags won nicely at Musselburgh, though the second(Moon Indigo) and third in that race seemed to struggle in the softened ground.
The younger generation are represented by Vosges and Danceintothelight, first and third at Musselburgh. They may have their work cut out to challenge their elders.
4.50
If his jumping holds then QUOTICA DE POYANS should takec the hunter chase. Impressive at best, he thumped a couple when winnig here last time and I wonder if the bigger field might put his fancing under pressure. That being said it’s dfificult to pick out a strong alternative, Spellchecker being a possible on a fair second at Musselburgh.
Doc Row would be up there at best but a recent point outing didn’t inspire. Twelve Paces is not the most predictable, but he has some decent handicap form and would push the selection on a going day. The drying ground should suit him.
5.25
The closing handicap hurdle is not the easiest contest to call. Most are exposed as held by the handicapper and not that good. King’s Guard would be the obvious choice on what now looks a decent second to Circus Clown at Ayr. Top weight Golfer’s Crossing might make more impact now in handicap company, though much has to be taken on trust.
For a selection I’m going for one from ‘left field’. CROP WALKER has presumably been difficult to keep fit and his form doesn’t excite. However, older form gives him a chance and I’d trust Kate Walton’s ability to prepare him. He might just be good enough to get in the mix at fancy price.
Hi Rob
Only just seen that you picked out Bold Sir Brian as too, well done on him and the other couple of winners. Did you get to see him in the Paddock etc? He looks a really nice type on screen.
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