Morning all,

We're entering the quietest seven days of the winter jumps season.

A decent enough day of racing on Saturday at Kelso, Newbury, and Doncaster and inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the Kelso action. Plus, there’s a Monday selection from Wetherby.

It’s all too easy at this time of the season to lose sight of the ball, betting wise, on the last couple of Saturdays prior to Cheltenham. So, It was good to sneak a small profit for Victor Value subscribers on Saturday courtesy of Undersupervision’s success in Doncaster’s Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.

I thought Undersupervision got a lovely patient ride from Sam Twiston-Davies. If connections comments, after the race are any guide the Scottish Grand National could be an end of season target for the 6-year-old.

Granted his main market rivals Storm Control and Le Milos both underperformed on the day but this was a nice confidence booster for the improving winner.

Cloth Cap would have found the ground plenty soft enough in third. However, it was another weak finish from the 10-year-old and it will be interesting to see if he might need some sort of wind op.

This time next week, we’ll be on the eve of the biggest four days in jumps racing. And, to get us all in the mood I read with interest Dave’s Friday look at the Cheltenham handicaps. It certainly inspired me to have a look at them so that’s my week planned.

Kelso Review

Richards Among The Winners

Kelso put up the money and they got the crowds and even more importantly the horses for a competitive card.

The colours of Simply Ned were seen in the winner’s enclosure after the Grade 2 novice hurdle. As the Nicky Richards trained Nells Son just edged out North Lodge in a driving finish. The 7-year-old has the scope to make up into a decent novice chaser next season. Before then he could head to Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting although he wouldn’t want quick ground there.

The day got better for Richards as Famous Bridge landed the 2m 4f handicap hurdle. The winner had looked on a good handicap mark prior to the race and so it proved. Credit to Brian Hughes who gave the horse a near perfect ride. Always in nice position he took it up at the last before going clear on the run-in.

Famous Bridge is another who could make up into a good staying chaser next season. However, before that improving 6-year-old could be heading for an Aintree handicap hurdle.

Nuts Premier Performance

The Listed bet365 Premier Chase saw the Kim Bailey trained Espoir De Romay go off a warm favourite. The 8-year-old was having his first start since a disappointing seasonal return in the Colin Parker Intermediate Chase at Carlisle in October.

He seemed to travel well enough for a long way but coming to the last it was clear that he had run his race. That left Nuts Well and Hill Sixteen to fight out the finish and the winner’s prize went to the likeable Nuts Well with Hill Sixteen a length back in second and the favourite back in third.

Any doubts about Nuts Well’s stamina for 3m were put to bed as he need to dig deep on the run in to hold off the runner-up. Hill Sixteen needs further than 3m but this was a gallant effort in defeat and he will be a leading fancy for the Scottish Grand National if he gets his favoured soft ground.

As for Espoir De Romay he likely needed the run and on soft/heavy ground may not have got home over 3m. Provided he comes out of the race well he will likely be heading to Aintree where would should know more about his present well-being.

Cormier Keeps Jackpot Hopes Alive

The Morebattle Hurdle has been revitalised since it became handicap. Like last season saw a decent sized and competitive field.  Maybe there’s a lesson there for other racecourses?

Sadly, this year’s race was spoiled by, yes, you guessed it low sun.  Low sun meant that just four hurdles were jumped. That changed the whole dynamic of the contest and turned it into a virtual flat race.

Recent Cheltenham winner Cormier maintained his improvement by winning the Kelso feature in good style.

The winner has the County Hurdle and the 100k bonus for winning a race at the festival in his sights after this success. Last season’s Morebattle winner The Shunter landed the bonus and given Cormier has Cheltenham form to his name you couldn’t rule it out happening again.

There were a couple of notable disappointments with Metier and Autumn Evening running below market expectations.

Given Buveur D'Air’s long absence. It’s not totally surprising that the 2018 Champion Hurdle winner got tired on the tacky ground. The lack of hurdles didn’t play to his strengths either. Its hard to know what the 11-year-old is capable of but at least he should be sharper next time.

Just a shame the race as a spectacle was ruined by the lack of hurdles. Not that will be of no concern to the connections of the winner. As they collected a cool £51,440 for the 6-year-old’s win and can dream about the 100k bonus.

Monday Racing

There are three jumps’ cards at Wetherby, Southwell and Leopardstown this afternoon. Wolverhampton completes the day’s action with an all-weather evening fixture. I’m off to Wetherby this afternoon for my first days racing of 2022.  The West Yorkshire tracks seven race card isn’t too bad with a couple of decent handicaps.

Wetherby

3:30 – Albert’s Back is a bit of cliff horse for me. Twice a winner last season and a three-time C&D winner. He’s now dropped to 6lb below his last winning mark. However, he hasn’t shown that much this season. Although there was a slight hint of promise about his last run at Kelso. If he’s back to his best form he wins this but it’s a big if.

A more solid contender is Fontana Ellissi. The 6-year-old returned to winning ways at Ffos Las two starts back and ran just as well when a ½ length 2^nd of 6 to Ajero at Taunton 13-days ago. He’s been nudged up 1lb but this more galloping track will suit him better than Taunton.

Add in the Dan Skelton trained Playful Saint who has been absent for 1099-days and is having his first start for the trainer and you have an interesting handicap hurdle.

4:05 – Indian Brave is another returning from a long absence. In his case its just 738-days. When last seen in action two seasons back he was a progressive handicap chaser having won at Chepstow and Newbury. The 11-year-old was well suited to the mud so underfoot conditions will be fine.  Trainer has his horses in decent from and this is his sole runner on the card. If he’s got Indian Brave ready to roll. I think he can win this and he's today's nap.

Monday Selection:

Wetherby

4:05 – Indian Brave

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John