May 24 / 15.37 Kelso

15.37

Good

J.A. Wilson Contractors Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3960.75
  • 2m 4f 189y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
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J.A. Wilson Contractors Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.20
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 64P97- CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won twice here in 2025 (2m/2m5f; good/good to soft) but hasn't run up to form on his last three starts, last time over 2m6f; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Heart Above

12st 0lb

J: Oakley Brown

T: Dianne Sayer

Won twice here in 2025 (2m/2m5f; good/good to soft) but hasn't run up to form on his last three starts, last time over 2m6f; others stronger.

10/1

7th

7

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Heart Above

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Dual course winner (2m2f/2m5f) in the autumn; not in same form lately and untested over this far but back on a good mark and can't be ruled out.

10/1

9th

8

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

15:22 Musselburgh

Heart Above

11st 1lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Runner-up in this last year and he won two in a row at Kelso (2m2f/2m5f, good/good to soft) in the autumn; patchy form since but when pulled up at Kelso last time he was contesting the very competitive Morebattle Hurdle; drying ground will aid his cause and it will be no surprise if he runs well.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 5732-9 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Didn't seem to stay 2m7f when below-par at Hexham last time, having run creditably on his two previous starts; could go well but on a long losing run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Knacker Trapper

10st 8lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Didn't seem to stay 2m7f when below-par at Hexham last time, having run creditably on his two previous starts; could go well but on a long losing run.

10/1

9th

14

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Knacker Trapper

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

Only win came in a Southwell novice handicap in May 2024 (2m4f, good); good run when second at Sedgefield last time (2m4f, good); stamina to prove, but could be in the mix.

12/1

2nd

7

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Knacker Trapper

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Andrew Crook

It's now 11 outings since his last success but he's been lightly raced this term and comes here on the back of a good third of 15 in 2m4f Newcastle handicap hurdle 18 days ago; can make his presence felt off the same mark.

7/1

Form: /F40-3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles; sound run from the front when third to a pair of dead-heaters over C&D last time (good); one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Helsgetaway

11st 2lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

0-8 over hurdles; sound run from the front when third to a pair of dead-heaters over C&D last time (good); one with a chance.

11/2

3rd

7

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Helsgetaway

11st 6lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Exposed; fair fourth at Ayr in November (3m, soft) and may have needed the race after a break when well beaten at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good to soft).

16/1

10th

7

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Helsgetaway

11st 6lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Fell on chase debut at Hexham (2m4f; 3-1) in October; failed to stay 3m (ran respectably) back over hurdles at Ayr the following month; off since but 8lb lower than when first introduced to handicapping 14 months ago; stablemate of Snow Dragon.

10/1

Form: P6080- CD

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won four-runner handicap at Hexham last June (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for first time); disappointing since; needs first-time blinkers to bring about significant improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Less Legacy

11st 8lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Won four-runner handicap at Hexham last June (2m4f, good to soft; cheekpieces on for first time); disappointing since; needs first-time blinkers to bring about significant improvement.

12/1

10th

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:11 Hexham

Less Legacy

11st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Captured this prize last year (fourth win at the track) and caught the eye when eighth of 12 in 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield 34 days ago, racing wide and set a lot to do; he's a player off a 2lb lower mark now.

8/1

8th

6

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

Less Legacy

11st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Four of his five wins have been at Hexham; hasn't been at his best on last three starts; others stronger.

50/1

Form: PP01-6 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ended a run of rather disappointing efforts when scoring at Hexham last month (2m4f, good) and better than he showed last time as his saddle slipped on home turn; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Stylish Recruit

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Ended a run of rather disappointing efforts when scoring at Hexham last month (2m4f, good) and better than he showed last time as his saddle slipped on home turn; interesting.

5/1

6th

10

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Stylish Recruit

11st 1lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Took advantage of his reduced mark and some better ground to win off 3lb lower mark over 2m4f here last time (good); may fare even better up to this trip (3m Irish point winner).

6/1

Form: P6UP-0 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Has won three times over hurdles and three times over fences, but was disappointing back over hurdles with a visor (retained) instead of cheekpieces at Hexham last time (2m7f, good; 40-1).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

William Of York

11st 11lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has won three times over hurdles and three times over fences, but was disappointing back over hurdles with a visor (retained) instead of cheekpieces at Hexham last time (2m7f, good; 40-1).

50/1

13th

1

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

William Of York

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three handicap chases on the trot in 2024; has struggled to finish since; may fare better back over hurdles with visor tried.

16/1

Form: 9F845-

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Hasn't won for a while, but fair runs with cheekpieces on last two starts (fourth in mares' handicap over C&D on good on first occasion); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Theirshegoes

11st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Sandy Thomson

Hasn't won for a while, but fair runs with cheekpieces on last two starts (fourth in mares' handicap over C&D on good on first occasion); each-way chance.

14/1

5th

5

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

15:00 Hexham

Theirshegoes

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Out of form towards end of last year but returned from three-month break with pretty good fourth in first-time cheekpieces at Kelso (2m5f, good) 11 days ago, and it will be interesting to see whether this drop back in trip pays dividends.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: P6813-

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Has done well both runs with cheekpieces, winning off a 9lb lower mark at Newcastle in January (2m1f, good to soft) before creditable third off this mark at Ayr last time (2m4f, soft); chance if as effective on this ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Travis Wheatley

11st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Has done well both runs with cheekpieces, winning off a 9lb lower mark at Newcastle in January (2m1f, good to soft) before creditable third off this mark at Ayr last time (2m4f, soft); chance if as effective on this ground.

6/1

3rd

9

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

17:15 Ayr

Travis Wheatley

10st 11lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Adam Nicol

The first-time cheekpieces appeared to make a huge difference at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) where he jumped well in front and won unchallenged by just over 5l; 9lb higher in a higher grade but he arrives here a relative unknown quantity, especially over this far.

8/1

1st

7

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle

Travis Wheatley

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Adam Nicol

11lb lower now than on handicap debut and he's shown enough for his new yard this term not to be ruled out entirely; headgear first time.

11/2

Form: 2142-4

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
1-21 over hurdles, her win coming at Catterick in February; creditable efforts on all three runs since, including when second over C&D last month (good); sound run at Perth last time (2m5f, good); chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 7lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

1-21 over hurdles, her win coming at Catterick in February; creditable efforts on all three runs since, including when second over C&D last month (good); sound run at Perth last time (2m5f, good); chance.

6/1

4th

3

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Chris Grant

1-20 over hurdles; neck second in a mares' handicap here last month (2m5f, good); each-way chance.

3/1

2nd

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Vanilla Dancer

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Just one win from her 19 hurdle starts but that came at Catterick (1m7f, soft) in February and she made a bad mistake when fourth at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) next time; she'll be fine now back up in trip and back on better ground, and could give a good account.

7/1

Form: 8458-6

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-7; sound run when sixth over C&D last time (good) but has a bit to find with a couple of these on that form; may improve with cheekpieces now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Georgies Malt

10st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ewan Whillans

0-7; sound run when sixth over C&D last time (good) but has a bit to find with a couple of these on that form; may improve with cheekpieces now tried.

8/1

6th

8

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Georgies Malt

10st 13lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ewan Whillans

Still early days for her but she was well beaten here when stepped up to 2m5f last time (good) having shaped quite well over 2m1f on her handicap debut at Carlisle on her previous start.

12/1

8th

6

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Georgies Malt

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Ewan Whillans

Beaten 12l when fifth of nine at 11-1 on last month's handicap debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft); improvement is needed but today's forecast better ground could be a positive and she's not ruled out each-way.

14/1

11/2

Form: 3P322-

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
1-21 over hurdles, his win coming at Musselburgh in December (1m7f, soft); has continued to run well since, notably when second over 2m2f here and on the Flat last time; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Newport

11st 4lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Iain Jardine

1-21 over hurdles, his win coming at Musselburgh in December (1m7f, soft); has continued to run well since, notably when second over 2m2f here and on the Flat last time; one to consider.

11/2

5th

5

(6)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Newport

9st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

0-7 on the Flat when trained in Ireland and not seen in this sphere since summer 2024, but has largely been in good form over hurdles for Iain Jardine since the autumn; might be the answer.

7/2

2nd

4

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:30 Kelso

Newport

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Iain Jardine

Ex-Irish; got off the mark over hurdles at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) in December off 6lb lower; placed three times since, running up to his best when second of 11 finishers at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) last month; should be thereabouts.

11/2

Form: 8/7PP-

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in May 2024 (3m, good); mainly disappointing over hurdles, particularly last season when back after wind surgery; visor now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:37 Kelso

Gorvennec

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Irish point winner in May 2024 (3m, good); mainly disappointing over hurdles, particularly last season when back after wind surgery; visor now tried.

50/1

6

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:00 Perth

Gorvennec

11st 3lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Point winner; showed a bit in novice hurdles in November 2024 but tailed off in a novice hurdle and pulled up in a handicap chase in two outings this season over four months apart; fitted with first-time cheekpieces back hurdling; plenty to prove at present.

20/1

4

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Gorvennec

11st 8lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Tailed off in a novice hurdle here in November when back from an absence and this is his first run since; however, he showed some ability in novice hurdles in November 2024 and this point winner could improve for the switch to fences; interesting contender on handicap debut.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £95.20
Straight Forecast £66.81
Tricast £595.31
Trifecta £746.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Newport

SPOTLIGHT:

Travis Wheatley

Telegraph:

Georgie's Malt

The Star:

Helsgetaway

RP RATINGS:

Heart Above

The Sun:

Travis Wheatley

POSTDATA:

Newport

The Times:

Newport

D Express:

Newport

Daily Mirror:

Newport

Daily Record:

Newport