Going - Good To Soft
After a slow start to Kelso's 'winter' season we've had a bit of rain of late and the action picked up seriously for this meeting which saw one of the better crowds since lockdown.
1.05 2m Class 4 Handicap Hurdle
A run of the mill contest won comofrtably by MELBURNIAN. This mare has had a stop-start hurdles career but saw off moderate oppostion with a fair bit to spare.
1.40 2m Class 4 Maiden Hurdle
This looked a really decent maiden with a nubmer of horses that will be capable of winning in time.
Though he didn't win an Irish point SNAKE ROLL had shown plenty of promise in that sphere. He travelled well in front all the way and Derek Fox had to do little more than let out a little rein to enable him to cruise clear from two out. This one could be very decent.
CAPTAIN BROOMFIELD has chaser stamped all over him and showed plenty in chasing hte leader home. Should win a hurdle, though he did bleed when last seen out at Huntngdon in January so may need a rest between races.
NINETOFIVE kept on nicely from two out having been tapped for speed on the run from three out. Sandy Thomson's charges normally benefit from a run, so he should come on for this, and a step up in trip looks likely to be of benefit.
The one that caught my eye in the paddock was TAKE CENTRE STAGE. He's an attractive sort, though the race looked sure ot bring him on. He ran once in Ireland, showing promise at Punchestown and subsequently appeared in a bumper for Rebecca Menzies early in the year. He chased the leader for much of the way before lack of condition told in the home straight. This half-brother to useful performer Tommy's Oscar looks likely to progress significantly on this.
Keep a quiet eye on KAUTO OF GOLD. He's got a lovely action but is perhaps a little green and will likely need time. He raced in otuch before weakening after the trun for home and looks al ong term project.
2.15 2m 7.5f Class 5 Handicap Chase
You don't expect to see many good walkers at this level, but GET WITH IT looks to float on air in the paddock. He has plenbty of ability on the track too, hitting the front going to the last to win this one. He did idle in front, a trait he's shown before so needs to be held up, but he should be able to step up a grade.
MATCHMAKING went to the front two out but was outpointed from the last. This was a very encouraging chasing debut and Laura Morgan can place this one to davantage before long.
DOMANDLOUIS looks well handicapped but his jumpnig needs to improve, though he warmed to his task in the latter stages in chsing debut.
2.48 3m 2f Class 2 Edinburgh Gin Handicap Chase
Arguably the best staying handicap chase of the season to date.
SOUNDS RUSSIAN was progressive through last season and won this well enough to suggest there remains more to come. This takes his mark to 157, which severely limits handicap opportunities, but he seems well capable of stepping up to Pattern company. Ruth Jefferson confirmed that he will be aimed higher, but the King George is off the agenda as Sounds Russian is said to be unsuited by the sharp right hand bends.
AYE RIGHT looked as if the race would bring him on, yet still held every chance approaching the last and ran a fine race. He'll presumably have opportunties in the Listed or Grade 3 chases.
HILL SIXTEEN was another who looked as if hte race would bring him on. He kept on for third in encouraging fashion.
CASTLE ROBIN ran a sound enough race in fourth and a mark of 134 should enable placement in slightly less exacting company.
BIG RIVER needs an outing these days and never got competitive. His trainer will look for other opportunties at this his favourite track through the season.
3.23 2m Class 4 Handicap Hurdle
A race of exposed sorts, LOCK DOWN LUKE out battlnig BOLLINGERANDKRUG with the pair clear of the rest.
4.00 2m 1f Class 4 Handicap Chase
Five-year-old CORRIGEEN ROCK has potentially more scope for improvement than most in htis race. He held on well from Irish challenger GLADATORIAL on the run-in.
TRESHNISH is best at Hexham, but ran respectably here and is generally thereabouts in this company without being particularly favoured by the handicapper.
4.35 2m 1f Class 5 Handicap Chase
HERITIER won well on first chasing appearance three runs ago and returned to that form here. Forging clear from two out and hinting that there might still be some progression in him.
BAK ROCKY stayed on well from two out and shoudl be capable of taking a similar contest.
TRAVAIL D'ORFEVRE looked as if the race would bring him on so a third place was very encoruraging, having disputed the lead two out. The Alexander stable should move up a few notches in the coming weeks and a step up is likely for this one.
NORTH PARADE led until weakening two out, a distinct step up on his previous two efforts in handicap hurdles.
5.10 3m 2f Class 4 Conditinoal Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
The curse of the low sun finally struck adn the second last hurdle was omitted.
COSMIC OUTLAW stepped up on previous efforts for Rose dobbin and the extreme trip clearly suits.
BRANDY McQUEEN is a good marker in these efforts and race solid race in second.
The remainder are largely exposed
