Kelso - Haddington Jubilee Cup Meeting

KELSO – Wednesday May 8^th

Going- Good (Good to Firm in places)

2.05 2m 1f Aver Chartered Accountants Novices’ Chase (Class 4)

Only two got into this, JACK THE GENT followed up a win here last time. Jumping boldly in a clear lead for most of the way he saw off a persistent challenge of the runner-up from two out. He likes it round this turning track, jumps very well and should go on to acquit himself well in handicaps.

RHYMERS HA’ has always looked like to make up into more of a chaser than a hurdler. Set after the winner four out, he closed to two out and looked to have every chance at the last. Unfortunately he sprawled on landing and couldn’t make any impression on the two length gap up the run-in.

Chasing debutant ROBBIE couldn’t make any impression on the first two from four out. The experience should do him some good and he can improve over fences.

2.35 2m 6½f Hunter Property Fund Management Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

UNEX CANALETTO stepped up significantly on previous form to win this event. This was the best ground he has run on and that must surely have had an influence on the result. Brought to challenge two out he soon led and, though wandering about, kept on well up the run-in.

ACADEMY is not the easiest ride and Lucy Alexander was very patient, easing this one into the race steadily to challenge two out. The winner wandered across him a bit approaching the last but Academy seemed held on merit if a clear second best. He has ability but is not one you would want to trust too much.

Consistent GLASSON LAD was no the premises most of the way kept on to fill third place, while FARM PIXIE ran a fair enough race in fourth, though held before the last. The latter is yet to win though she has put in some decent efforts at Hexham.

Contesting at the front for much of the way, WELSH BARD and PUDSEY HOUSE had to give way from two out. Both would be happier with an easier passage up front.

3.05 3m 2f Brown Shipley Wealth Well Managed Handicap Chase (Class 4)

BOBBLE HAT BOB showed promise before falling behind stablemate Nuts N Bolts earlier this year. He didn’t go particularly well at Carlisle subsequently and the conclusion might be that the stiff track didn’t suit him. He stayed on well having taken two out and looks a decent prospect for staying handicap chases since the mark of 105 here looks by no means harsh.

CARRIGDHOUN raced with the pace all the way and stayed on from two out. This was a sound effort and he should find a handicap chase along the way.

MARKADAM was never far away but couldn’t make an impact on the leader from two out.

CAPTAIN AMERICO was sent out in front but continues to frustrate. He gave way two out and could only plod on into fourth place.

Nothing else really got into the race. QINDER SPRING was held from two out, while POSH BIRD had one of her moody days and never got into the contest.

3.35 2m 7½f Bedmax Handicap Chase (Class 3) (Haddington Jubilee Cup)

A decent contest with the two top weights having fought out a Listed contest here in March.

DE BOITRON was given a very patient ride by Sam Twiston-Davies and got to the heels of the leaders two out.  He challenged at the last and stayed on well to the line. Generally campaigned at shorter distances, he saw out this trip well in a race run at a decent pace and there must be further opportunities in three mile events.

BENEFICIAL REFORM tracked the leader for much of the way and took over after two out. He stuck on well but found one just too good on the day. Not as experienced as some here he has prospects going forward.

A stablemate of the second, LET’S GET SERIOUS was never closer than his final third, staying on well from the last. He’s lightly raced and can go on from here.

GARLETON made a brave attempt to make all but had to give way from two out and could muster only one pace after wards.

YOU KNOW YOURSELF was bang there until weakening from two out.

Winner here in March, ALWAYS RIGHT was never travelling and seems to have two ways of running.

4.10 2m ½f James Ewart Racing and Maurice Friel Conditionals’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)

To be honest ENDEAVOR is not a straight forward character by any means. He can be reluctant to start and has the odd serious off-day, but it’s difficult to baulk at a record which has seen him win 9 out of his last 33 races. He raced handily here and put the contest to bed quickly once hitting the front at the last. A fine effort off a career high mark.

MUSNAD set the pace and stuck to his task well enough once headed. He has been kept to decent ground over jumps and this is probably his time of year.

SMART RULER put in a challenge approaching the last but was held on the run-in. He’s yet to win over hurdles but there’s probably a small contest in him on decent ground.

TREND IS MY FRIEND was well backed but felt the pinch in the closing stages. He’s lightly raced over hurdles and can improve on this.

4.45 2m 7½f NFU Mutual Alnwick Selling Handicap Chase

There aren’t that many selling chases run these days and I believe this is Kelso’s only seller of the year.

BOROLEE showed some promise at Hexham last time on his second run in the UK. He built on that well, challenging from four out and forging on from the last. He’s not getting any younger but his form is going the right way.

SILVER STEEL ran a sound race in second keeping on though held from the last.

SOLWAY DORNAL was prominent approaching two out but could only muster one pace from that point.

FLAMING THISTLE was never near the front but plugged on through beaten horses for fourth.

MORE EQUITY should have been good enough to get in the mix in this company, but she struggled from four out and doesn’t seem as good as she was.

5.20 2m ½f DG Pryde Ltd Standard Open NH Flat Race (Class 5)

Regular readers will know I swear by these contests at Kelso as reliable form. This race was run at a decent pace and I would expect the form to be reliable.

Six came clear from five furlongs out and the winner SECRETE STREAM quickly had the race won after taking over 300 yards out. He weakened in heavy ground at Ayr but was much more at home on top of the ground and looks well capable of further success.

I GOT POWER led briefly two out but was soon put in his place. However this was a sound effort on debut and he should go from here.

OLLIE G was another making a satisfactory debut, slightly hampered over two furlongs out, he could muster only one pace.

OORAYVIC fell away in the final two furlongs but will presumably have gained something from the experience, but the pacemaker REV UP RUBY was legless in the final two furlongs and was well held.

POWDERONTHEBONNET challenged three out and was ridden when stumbling and unseating over two furlongs out. He would likely have been placed but I’m not sure he could have handled the winner’s extra pace.