A Class 2 Handicap Hurdle on a good Kelso Card.

 

At the head of the market Cap Du Nord has it's first Hurdle run since April 2018 and is a whopping 36 pounds above it's best Hurdle winning mark. It may look a strong favourite based on Chase form, but at the Odds it's one I'm happy to take on. Doyen Breed is up 6lbs and significantly in Class and depth of race for an Ayr win, may be a progressive horse but one that holds little betting appeal for me at the Odds. Mr Harp is probably the most solid in the top of of the market in terms of form and consistency but has had a tough season and you'd think something fresher or better handicapped might come and beat it here. Sultans Pride is in form, 3 wins in the last 4 but up from a mark of 96 for the first of those wins to a mark today of 122 and I'm not attracted on that basis.

 

Of the remainder WEST TO THE BRIDGE steps up in trip but the style of the run back at the start of the Autumn when it followed home one of our tips on the day (Sirobbie a Course specialist) at Uttoxeter in a truly run race over just shy of 3 miles and some other efforts at around that trip suggest that this rise in trip is a logical move and no excuses from me if it doesn't get home and run very well. I think it's an excellent each way price for the Skeltons.

 

Mahlervous is intriguing and has won a Chase on this Course and is back hurdling off a nice mark and probably the one I'd see as the biggest danger and a Tricast option but I can't resist a punt at big odds on DONNAS DIAMOND. May simply be "gone at the game now" but every horse has a level it can be competitive at even when regressing and the horse won off marks up to 146 before a poor couple of years. it's down to a mark of 132 with a 5lbs Claim and has enough excuses to make me think it could easily outrun Odds and enjoy a confidence boost and nick a place prize.

 

TRACKERS - West To The Bridge + Donnas Diamond (T/C Perm if you want with Mahlervous)