November 18 / 12.55 Kelso

12.55

Good To Soft

racingtv.com/freetrial Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 3m 0f 100y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
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racingtv.com/freetrial Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 20-033 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Just one win since late 2021, off this mark at Catterick (3m1f, good) last December; placed here (2m5f) and at Ayr (3m, soft) on his last two starts, although he made only modest late headway on the latter occasion; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:35 Ayr

Be The Difference

11st 13lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Three-time winner this season (2m5f-3m; soft) but subsequent defeats would suggest that the handicapper may now be in charge.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 3448-6

Last run: 17 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
No win since October 2022; respectable effort when fourth over 2m6f here (good to soft) last December but made no significant impact on recent reappearance at Ayr (3m; sixth, beaten 14l); now sits 2lb lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Guernesey

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Has won just two of his 41 races over hurdles but nearly made it three when beaten a neck by Adveram (2lb worse off) at Hexham in December (2m7f, heavy); hasn't done as well since and was a long way behind Ballin Bay last time.

20/1

5th

6

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Guernesey

10st 11lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Consistent sort; hasn't won since October 2022, but has run creditably on last three starts and has an each-way chance.

9/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 182P34

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Left Dan Skelton after winning at Stratford (2m2f, good; from 7lb lower) in July; visored at Wetherby (2m5f-3m) on last two starts when thereabouts from the front, without fully seeing out his race; ground conditions softer than ideal but he looks a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Victory Club

11st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ex-Dan Skelton; several good runs for Rebecca Menzies last season, including when third at Kelso on latest start in November (3m, soft); just as effective on this better ground; each-way chance.

10/1

3rd

5

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Victory Club

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Left Dan Skelton after winning at Stratford (2m2f, good; from 7lb lower) in July; visored at Wetherby (2m5f-3m) on last two starts when thereabouts from the front, without fully seeing out his race; ground conditions softer than ideal but he looks a player.

11/4

7

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

16:05 Wetherby

Victory Club

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Bumper/handicap winner; up and down profile but made the frame in a first-time visor over 3m here recently and shouldn't mind dropping back in trip; bit to find with Belladinotte who was second in that race.

8/1

Form: 07-53P D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
5-45; wide-margin winner at Ayr (2m5f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in January; moderate since, pulling up at Perth (2m4f, soft) on recent return from four-month break; easing mark but with clear risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

15:52 Sedgefield

Topkapi Star

11st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Ewan Whillans

Course winner who scored easily at Ayr (2m5f, soft) last January and is now 1lb lower; however, she's been unable to match that level of form in the meantime and needs to raise her game this afternoon.

16/1

4th

7

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Topkapi Star

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Ewan Whillans

5-45; wide-margin winner at Ayr (2m5f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in January; moderate since, pulling up at Perth (2m4f, soft) on recent return from four-month break; easing mark but with clear risks attached.

10/1

8

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:40 Perth

Topkapi Star

10st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Ewan Whillans

Wide-margin winner in first-time cheekpieces at Ayr (2m5f, soft) in January but yet to build on that success; just a respectable third of five on latest outing at Hexham (2m7f, good to soft) in June; others preferred.

16/1

Form: 2/75F-

Last run: 521 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
0-10; runner-up at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in March 2024 but has failed to better that, beaten when falling late on at Hexham (2m) last time; a guessing game as to how he'll fare after wind surgery and 521 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Boyneside

10st 3lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Barry Murtagh

0-10; runner-up at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in March 2024 but has failed to better that, beaten when falling late on at Hexham (2m) last time; a guessing game as to how he'll fare after wind surgery and 521 days off.

16/1

9

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

16:17 Hexham

Boyneside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Barry Murtagh

Placed in similar company at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) and Sedgefield (2m4f, soft); less productive on his last two appearances, with plenty of work to do in order to reverse course form with Huit Reflets; this drop back to 2m is certainly worth exploring; 5lb 'wrong'.

18/1

5th

6

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:35 Hexham

Boyneside

10st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Barry Murtagh

Second to one who went on to complete a four-timer at Sedgefield in March (2m4f, soft); below that back at 2m last time (good, hung left); chance on that Sedgefield form.

6/1

Form: 2/99F-

Last run: 321 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Longstanding maiden (0-27); runner-up on heavy at Newcastle (3m; from 6lb higher) in April 2024; nothing constructive since and she arrives with plenty to prove after falling at Catterick on New Year's Day when last seen; stablemate of Walk My Way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Fainche

11st 1lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Longstanding maiden (0-27); runner-up on heavy at Newcastle (3m; from 6lb higher) in April 2024; nothing constructive since and she arrives with plenty to prove after falling at Catterick on New Year's Day when last seen; stablemate of Walk My Way.

16/1

6

1st Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

15:05 Catterick

Fainche

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

raced in third, lost third 5th, fell 6th

16/1

6

1st Jan 2025

Good

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

15:05 Catterick

Fainche

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

raced in third, lost third 5th, fell 6th

16/1

Form: 432-54

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
No match for progressive rival at Perth (2m4f, good to soft; runner-up) in April; less productive this season (2m-2m4f); monitoring brief over 3m, with rider's 10lb claim helpful from a handicapping perspective.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

13:35 Ayr

Burning It Up

11st 11lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Maiden; best run this season when a head second to a well-handicapped, subsequent winner when fitted with cheekpieces (retained) at Newcastle last time (2m4f, soft); clear of the rest that day so although up 2lb is one with a chance.

2/1

2nd

3

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:10 Newcastle

Burning It Up

11st 8lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Eight-race maiden over hurdles; showed some promise when placed in novice company last season but has been rather disappointing in handicaps from 2m-3m this term; cheekpieces now tried.

16/1

Form: 046P3-

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
With Gavin Cromwell for Navan win (2m4f, soft) in January 2023; ended out of form for that yard and failed to shine for this trainer, although Ayr third (3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February last time was a small step forward; it's tough to know what to expect off a 280-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Pure Sirloin

11st 1lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Sandy Forster

Not discredited when seventh of 13 in 3m handicap at Ayr 55 days ago; needs to build on it though if he's to end a lengthy losing sequence.

25/1

Form: 58P

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Has shown little to enthuse over in novice company, pulling up at triple-figure odds at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) latest; steps up in trip for handicap debut at an appropriate level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Top Of The Stars

10st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Simon Waugh

Has shown little to enthuse over in novice company, pulling up at triple-figure odds at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) latest; steps up in trip for handicap debut at an appropriate level.

50/1

5th

4

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

15:53 Kelso

Top Of The Stars

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Simon Waugh

Sixth foal; dam well held 1m-2m, half-sister to 7f 2yo Group 3 winner Sir Parky; this is a very belated debut at the age of seven.

66/1

Form: /PP88-

Last run: 218 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Nothing of note since winning over fences at Newcastle (3m, soft; 33-1) in November 2023; hurdles prowess limited and he is set to compete from 3lb wrong; an unlikely candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Goodoldbill

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jane Walton

Seeking a hat-trick after wins over C&D (soft) and at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft); up another 5lb for latest success but drying ground not ideal.

5/2

1st

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Goodoldbill

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jane Walton

Reportedly jumped better than on his previous start (here) when returning to form to win at Sedgefield last time (3m2f, soft); has a chance on that, but isn't particularly consistent.

12/1

1st

5

19th Feb 2026

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:08 Sedgefield

Goodoldbill

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jane Walton

Won a novice handicap chase at Newcastle in November 2023 (2m7f, soft); mainly disappointing since and hard to fancy.

66/1

Form: 2/P79-

Last run: 286 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Would have had a major say but for a mistake at the last at Hexham (2m4f, heavy; runner-up) in March 2024; however, she's shown little since (0-3) and competes off a 286-day absence from 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

18th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 100y

Class 5

12:55 Kelso

Walk My Way

10st 2lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Micky Hammond

Would have had a major say but for a mistake at the last at Hexham (2m4f, heavy; runner-up) in March 2024; however, she's shown little since (0-3) and competes off a 286-day absence from 3lb out of the handicap.

25/1

9th

12

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Walk My Way

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear

25/1

9th

12

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Walk My Way

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

held up in rear

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.60
Straight Forecast £33.15
Tricast £125.25
Trifecta £114.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Victory Club

POSTDATA:

Be The Difference

The Guardian:

Burning It Up

The Times:

Pure Sirloin

D Express:

Fainche

RP RATINGS:

Guernesey

The Star:

Burning It Up

Daily Mail:

Victory Club

Daily Mirror:

Victory Club

The Sun:

Victory Club

Telegraph:

Be The Difference

Daily Record:

Be The Difference