A competitive race on Going which looks to be genuinely Good, sensibly watered and not too firm nor any false soft patches, so really no excuses on that score.

 

It's a trappy little track, tight right handed but you need stamina to get home but also to be pretty handy as if you get detached it's hard to get back into contention.

 

Some look to be coming to the end of a long tough season, a few fresh and primed and some who seem to thrive on racing.

 

I narrowed it down to 4 in the end.

 

My tip and strong each way fancy is TEA TIME ON MARS - a nice runner up last time but freshened up and should arrive here in tip top condition. No stamina concerns, seems best right handed, runs off a very nice mark at a decent each way price and will be very disappointed if not placed at least.

 

I will also have a smaller stake on BAFANA BLUE who ran well at Kelso off a mark of 130 in 2019 to suggest the trip won't be an excuse, indeed this trip could now be ideal and a succession of OK but ultimately unsuccessful runs over 3 miles or so has seen the mark drop to 119 and it just jumped off the page at me as the type of race they have eyed all season off a nice mark despite winning last time to further evidence the horses well-being.

 

THE WICKET CHICKEN is more speculative and may still need this after a quiet return off the back of a 400 + day break. It's interesting on a win at Kelso over a 3 and a half mile trip prior to that break and could outrun Odds if fit enough. It's certainly one to track onwards after today if it runs well here but still needs the run, which is a risk I'm prepared to take.

 

Of the rest the enigmatic LITHIC is in calmer waters, could revive and would be my reserve if any of the 3 named don't run.