Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I preview the best of the action from Kelso on ITV.

There’s racing from three courses on a nine race programme on ITV this afternoon. Five of those races are from Kelso and include the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (1:50) and bet365 Premier Chase (3:35).

Newbury provides ITV viewers with two races. The best of them is the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2:45). Although just seven have been declared for the race which has £60,000 in guaranteed prize money.

ITV’s coverage is completed by two races from Doncaster both handicap chases. Sadly, the quick ground means just fourteen have been declared for the two races. With eight going to post for the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (3:15).

Kelso

Forecast good to soft ground offers the promise of some competitive racing for Kelso’s most valuable card of the season.

The valuable Morebattle Hurdle provides another example of the old maxim – if you put up the money and you’ll get the entries. The Kelso management and sponsors bet365 will be delighted that a maximum field of 16 have been declared for the race. No doubt one will be pulled out on the day of the race but it’s still an excellent line-up.

The first race on ITV from the track is the bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (1:15). The likely short priced favourite Sholokjack has strong claims after his recent Lingfield success. If the ground was softer than good to soft, I would also be interested in previous course winner Bill Baxter.  He was travelling like the most likely winner when falling four out at Hereford last time and remains on a good mark. All said and done it’s not race I’m likely to have a bet in.

1:50 – bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle) – 2m

Four or five of the sixteen runners like to be up with the pace so the race should be run at good gallop.

Emmet Mullins brings over juvenile McTigue. He gets a handy 10lb juvenile weight allowance from his older rivals. Its hard to weight up his French form but you must respect him given his connections. Last year’s winner Cormier has run over fences on his last two starts. However, he’s only 2lb higher than 12 months ago and he could well again

Deere Mark made it 2-4 over hurdles when winning on handicap debut at Kempton last month. Looked an improver last time and there should be enough juice in the ground for him. The forecast strong gallop will also suit the 6-year-old. 

Colonel Mustard has been chasing the season and the top- weight is back over hurdles and in handicap company for the first time finishing a 3 length 3^rd of 26 to State Man in last season’s Country Hurdle. Another who will be suited by the forecast pace.

Teddy Blue was back to form when a 12 length 3rd of 16 in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time. Can pull hard and he’s likely to face plenty of pace pressure. That said Kelso is track where being up with the pace is an advantage.

L'Eau Du Sud twice a winner in France built on the promise of his stable debut for Dan Skelton when a 3 ¼ length 3^rd of 14 at Kempton (soft) last time. Good ground would be an unknown, but he looks set to go close.

Wajaaha put in an improved performance when a 5 length 2^nd of 18 at Naas on Sunday.  It’s a quick turnaround for the Irish challenger but he’s not totally dismissed.

2:25 – bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m 2f

The bookies are taking no chances with the Emmet Mullins trained hurdle debutant Feronily. The 6-year-old runner-up on his bumper debut improved again when a 10 ½ length 3^rd of 8 to A Dream To Share in a Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing festival last month. I fancy the winner for the Cheltenham Champion Bumper so the form should be good.

Feronily has been thrown in at the deep end for his hurdles debut against some experienced and improving rivals like Nemean Lion and Colonel Harry.  Nemean Lion has improved with each of his three starts over hurdles. The 6-year-old comes into the race with the best form after his 3½ lengths 3rd of 8 to Tahmuras in Grade 1 Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown last time. Colonel Harry was one place and 2 ½ lengths back in fifth in the Tolworth. He’s since come out to win under a penalty at Newcastle.

3:00 – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m 5f

Santos Blue looks sure to be popular with punters after his decisive Chepstow success last month.  He’s now 12lb higher but should make a bold big to complete the hat trick.

Dancewiththewind is another bidding for a hat trick after wins at Wetherby and here (2m) 15-days ago. A 4lb rise in the weights doesn’t look to harsh and he should be there or thereabouts.

Nells Son won the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle on this card last year. Back over hurdles last time, after two runs over fences, and wasn’t disgraced when 7 length 6th of 15 to Hacker des Places at Cheltenham last time. The drop back to 2m didn’t really play to his strengths that day and this test will suit better.

Donny Boy was staying on when brought down at the last in the last years Premier Hurdle won by Nells Son. He probably wouldn’t have won but could have finished in the places. Has had wind surgery since pulling up over fences here in December. Not out of it for a inform yard.

Well Educated completed an autumn hat trick at Carlisle in October. We haven’t seen the 7-year-old since he achieved that success. Up 4lb, in a deeper race but not one to discount.

3:35 – bet365 Premier Chase (Listed Race) – 2m 7 ½ f

The race has been fair trial for the Grand National in the past. Both and Ballabriggs and Auroras Encore ran in the race before going onto win at Aintree.

Unfortunately, no Sounds Russian or Ga Law so there’s only the 5 runners and it could be four as Zanza is also entered at Newbury. Still its an interesting enough contest, nonetheless.

Le Milos and The Shunter both have Grand National entries. The former won the Coral Gold Cup in November and looks a worthy enough favourite. However, whether he will be suited by likely slowly run race is another matter.

The Shunter won the Morebattle Hurdle on this day two years ago and remains the most interesting of the five runners.

He could make it a memorable afternoon for Emmet Mullins at Kelso.

Zanza actually heads the official ratings but there must be a good chance that he heads for his alternative engagement in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury.

Empire Steel goes well here with his form figures being 112 including over the distance. However, he hasn’t been at his best on two starts and was very disappointing at Sandown last month. Not out of it, given his form at the track but he’s got 11lb to find with Le Milos and The Shunter on Official Ratings and yard form is a concern.

Wishing And Hoping produced an excellent jumping display to win the Veterans Chase Final at Sandown last time. Likely to get an uncontested lead and if he gets into the sort of jumping rhythm like at Sandown will be tough to pass.

It should be between Le Milos and The Shunter and the latter could be better positioned in a slowly run race. However, I would be too quick to rule out Wishing And Hoping.

Saturday selection:

A few punters will be hoping that Emmet Mullins has a good day at Kelso. You can see plenty of multiples being placed on his three runners McTigue, Feronily and The Shunter. I like the last two most, but I want to take on McTigue in the Morebattle and I have done.  Today’s free tip though runs in the Grade 2 Premier Novice Hurdle 2:25 at Kelso.

Kelso

2:25 – Nemean Lion – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Coral.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John