Kelso 2.50
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
NORTH - Kelso 2.50 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 2 miles - 18 run - Soft
A race in which we put up BENSON at something like 33/1 last year and he ran a great race to win at 11/1 and with him reappearing and looking primed to run another big race , he will naturally be one of the selections.
I want to take on the favourite Under Control; from the under the weather Henderson yard at short odds and the likes of Black Hawk Eagle who I think is a much better horse going right handed.Bingoo is unexposed and in good form but up notably in Class off an increased mark, Anyharminasking is another I think is a bit tight in the market for Jonjo and the likes of Little Mixup from Ireland, Caitness and Cracking Rhapsody are feared but on balance i feel just a tad over handicapped in the context of the race.
I narrowed the 18 down to 5 runners and with a lot of enhanced places about, I'll list them in preference order.
SKYCUTTER for the Skeltons is a very progressive horse and is the chosen one from a Yard which has a number of promising 2 mile Hurdlers. He faces a tougher test here but visually and on form analysis it will be a surprise and disappointment if he is anything other than in the first 3 home. As was the case last year BENSON is anything but hidden and unexposed, he is though a redoubtable battler these days and looks primed again to run a big race here with a Jockey who seems to grow in these bigger races. BALLYGEARY is one of two I like for the McCain yard, a Yard that doesn't poke at big Saturday prizes quite as much as it once did but when they lay one out, often at decent Odds they tend to deliver something. This one is back in trip and in a full on cavalry charge where the early pace may be unsustainable and that extra bit of stamina may come in very handy.
For some shrapnel to enhanced places, GERONIMO is in form and also proven over further in these conditions for the McCain yard and of a number of locally trained horses who are upped in Class for a great day out for connections the very consistent Course specialist GINGER MAIL should not be totally discounted at big Odds and possibly capable of running an enhanced place if they don't get too carried away in the first mile of the race and chase the pace too soon.
Tips (1) Skycutter / (2) Benson / (3) Bally geary / (4s) Geronimo / (5s) Ginger Mail