Saturday’s Kelso tips
13:10 – Real Stone
13:45 – Grey Dawning
14:20 – Mr Bramley
14:55 – Castle Carrock
15:30 – Favour And Fortune
16:04 – Filibustering
16:39 – Leader In The Park
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
13:10 – Real Stone
Dan Skelton’s REAL STONE bounced back to form in style and could have been called the winner from a long way out when making all at Wetherby four weeks ago, so he can defy a 6lb rise. The Timeform pace prediction for this race is ‘very weak’, and he is the only front-runner in the field, and he could get an easy time of things out in front. Helnwein tends to show his best at this time of year and is feared most back on better ground. The market should help guide as to which Lucinda Russell runner is the biggest threat; the going suggests it is multiple C&D winner Bollingerandkrug who is back from a break.
13:45 – Grey Dawning
Only four runners, but still an intriguing contest, in which Skelton’s Betfair Chase runner-up GREY DAWNING is fancied to bounce back in style from his King George no-show and confirm himself as a staying chaser worth a place at the top table. The progressive Iroko rates as the biggest threat on the back of an eye-catching Cheltenham fourth, especially after receiving 3lb from the selection, though his ultimate aim is the Grand National. The likeable El Elefante is no forlorn hope given the progress she made since reverting to front-running tactics in recent months.
14:20 – Mr Bramley
Top-weight MR BRAMLEY has made a bright start to his hurdling career, resuming winning ways when justifying favouritism in a big-field handicap at Wetherby last time, and he can continue his progress to add to his tally. Ace of Spades isn’t taken lightly, as his bids for a hat-trick on his handicap debut at a course he has already enjoyed success at, while Nab Wood is also considered back at this venue. He didn’t get far at Haydock last time, but should have a big part to play here, as long as they go a decent gallop and his jumping holds up a little better. Fingal’s Hill and Young Jack are respected at double-figure prices.
14:55 – Castle Carrock
An intriguing renewal of this Grade 2 race, with several highly promising novices on show. CASTLE CARROCK claimed a notable scalp on debut in this sphere at Sandown and, with the promise of much better to come from this six-year-old, he could be the answer. Willie Mullins saddles fellow Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ Chart Topper, who is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, and is feared most ahead of three-time course winner Dedicated Hero and strapping Ludlow winner Vanderpoel who represents last year’s winning trainer. Laganhill is an unknown quantity, and merits respect, too, for all he is unproven on these quicker conditions.
15:30 – Favour And Fortune
Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ FAVOUR AND FORTUNE plundered a big prize in Scotland, when winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle last spring, and might be able to do so again on the back of a good run in a similarly hot race at Newbury last month. Alan King’s strong traveller should prove suited by the return to less testing conditions and a strong gallop (Timeform pace prediction of ‘extreme’), and is preferred to Irish-raider Vischio, whose trainer won this with The Shunter in 2021. Alnilam. Petrol Head and Tellherthename are interesting contenders in a fine renewal – the increased prize money and £100,000 bonus for winning this and any race at the Cheltenham Festival is clearly working.
16:04 – Filibustering
The Harry Derham-trained FILIBUSTERING, who was rated in the 70s on the Flat, certainly won’t lack for stamina now hurdling and will surely be well prepared, he’s selected to make a winning start for new connections. Elforleather, Miners Gamble and the experienced Maple have already displayed ability over obstacles and remain competitive, with all three not rated that much inferior to the selection on the Flat.
16:39 – Leader In The Park
Exciting prospect LEADER IN THE PARK was value for more than the bare margin implies when taking his chase record to 2-3 at Warwick six weeks ago and, with further progress in the offing, he gets the nod to complete the hat-trick with this trainer/jockey combination in scintillating form. Fellow Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ Walk On Quest is similarly progressive and comfortably rates the chief threat in search of the four-timer after a dominant performance at Ayr last month. Menaggio, now down in class, may do best of the other trio, for all Step Out and Hashtag Boum still appear to have some improvement to come over fences.
Saturday’s Kelso tips
13:10 – Real Stone
13:45 – Grey Dawning
14:20 – Mr Bramley
14:55 – Castle Carrock
15:30 – Favour And Fortune
16:04 – Filibustering
16:39 – Leader In The Park
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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