April 06 / 17.20 Kelso

17.20

Heavy

Racing Post Go North Jodami Series Final Open National Hunt Flat Race (Series Final) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 0f 51y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Racing Post Go North Jodami Series Final Open National Hunt Flat Race (Series Final) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: 31 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Showed he handles the mud well when third on rules debut at Carlisle, and improved on that form when justifying favouritism in workmanlike style over C&D seven weeks ago; open to further progress and high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

18th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Ayr

Dedicated Hero

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Following wind surgery he returned to form to win in a small field at Kelso (2m5f, good) recently, and he's fine on slow ground and at this trip; however, from out of the handicap he's 10lb higher today and his profile suggests he'll be vulnerable back up in grade.

11/1

1st

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:15 Kelso

Dedicated Hero

12st 1lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Pulled up in the Morebattle Hurdle here in February but he's had wind surgery since and this is a significant drop in grade; he's dropped down the weights and could bounce back with a big run for his in-form yard.

11/4

12

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 2

14:55 Kelso

Dedicated Hero

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Sandy Thomson

Won C&D maiden hurdle and substandard Haydock Grade 2 in winter 2024-25; mixed form since but he was a good second on his chase debut at Ayr last month; first-fence unseat next time (hampered); he's dropped down the weights over hurdles and is not ruled out each-way in first-time cheekpieces.

10/1

Abandoned

Form: 41 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Seemed to relish heavy conditions when winning gamely at Newcastle three weeks ago, building on his bumper debut; impossible to rule out but others have stronger form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Gasmani

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: David Dennis

Point/bumper winner who showed improvement to get off the mark over hurdles at Taunton (3m, good) last month on his sixth attempt; creditable second over the same C&D subsequently and holds place claims at least while in this mood.

7/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Bought for £30,000 after winning a point (good to soft), and that looked money well spent when he made all in a bumper at Ayr (good; 4-1) last month; will encounter much softer ground here but he's a promising type.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Kingston James

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead, led with one circuit to go, faced challenge after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no extra towards finish

7/1

2nd

4

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ayr

Kingston James

11st 8lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead, led with one circuit to go, faced challenge after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on but no extra towards finish

7/1

1st

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 87y

Class 2

17:00 Musselburgh

Kingston James

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Point/bumper winner who landed a Hexham novice (2m, good) in October but has a mixed record since and was only eighth of ten on handicap debut at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago; edging down the weights and is still unexposed in this sphere but others are more convincing.

15/2

Form: 12

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Bred to be useful and has made a most encouraging start to his career, improving steadily in two points and two bumpers; went down narrowly at Fontwell before rallying gamely to win at Doncaster in February; handles soft ground well, unraced on heavy; just about the pick on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:42 Uttoxeter

Tom Doniphon

10st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won twice over hurdles at Taunton over 2m3f for previous yard; after a promising chase debut at Aintree in October he took a backward step at Exeter the following month; returns from a seven-month break with new trainer but may need to go back up in trip to find a winning opportunity.

7/1

4th

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 176y

Class 3

13:15 Aintree

Tom Doniphon

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Low-mileage 6yo who came good over hurdles with two 2m3f wins at Taunton (good to soft/soft) last winter; absent since 2m4f second at Sandown in February but should cope with the drop back in trip on this chasing debut and has some Irish pointing experience to call upon.

7/2

1

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 4

16:45 Sandown

Tom Doniphon

12st 0lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Won readily on handicap debut at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) and again had something to spare there (2m3f, soft) nine days later, when unpenalised; hit with 8lb rise but this unexposed 6yo could still be well treated.

2/1

Abandoned

Form: 4

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Shaped pleasingly when a never-nearer 12l fourth of 12 to Dedicated Hero over C&D (soft; 17-2) in February; could improve a good deal with that experience behind him, although he has a fair bit to find with the winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:00 Hexham

Balking

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Very lightly raced 8yo who was 25-1 runner-up on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) last January; soundly beaten at Ayr this February on sole run since but may have needed that outing; not discounted.

10/1

8th

6

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:00 Ayr

Balking

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

Very lightly raced 8yo who had wind surgery prior to his handicap debut last January and finished second of 16 at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; 25-1); absent since but he'll be bang there if resuming where he left off.

12/1

2nd

1

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Balking

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

took keen hold, in rear

16/1

Form: 3

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Came in for some support and was beaten off only inside the final 1f when third of 12 at Newcastle (heavy; 10-3) last month; bred to stay well; open to improvement and another with realistic claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Battle Born Lad

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Fended off subsequent Grade 1 runner-up Wendigo to make all on hurdling debut at Hexham (2m, soft; front pair clear) in October and again dominated from the front when upped to 3m for Haydock Grade 2 in February (good to soft); may not be entirely straightforward but could take some catching.

11/2

2

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

16:40 Aintree

Battle Born Lad

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Fended off subsequent Grade 1 runner-up Wendigo to make all on hurdling debut at Hexham (2m, soft; front pair clear) in October and again dominated from the front when upped to 3m for Haydock Grade 2 in February (good to soft); may not be entirely straightforward but could take some catching.

11/2

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 1

15:50 Haydock

Battle Born Lad

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Placed in all three bumpers (heavy/good) and won on hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, soft) in October, pulling clear with Wendigo who has since finished second in a Grade 1; the Hexham form probably shouldn't be taken literally (Wendigo was making his seasonal/hurdle debut) but it was certainly a promising run and he's bred to stay this much longer trip; interesting.

10/1

Form: 5

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Point winner on soft ground; never quite able to challenge but shaped fairly well when fifth of 12 in bumper at Doncaster (good; 7-1) ten weeks ago; needs to improve but that's certainly possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

25th Sep 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Worcester

Disco Davis

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Regressed over hurdles for Dan Skelton and a similar story currently as a chaser; this is no easy race in which to arrest the slide; goes in cheekpieces; 1lb wrong.

40/1

5th

5

8th Sep 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

16:38 Bangor-on-Dee

Disco Davis

10st 12lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Failed to kick on over hurdles for Dan Skelton after successful at Lingfield (2m) last January; it's been a similar story over fences for his new yard and he came in a remote sixth of ten at Worcester (2m) in July; not easy to warm to.

20/1

6th

5

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Worcester

Disco Davis

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Ended his time over hurdles for Dan Skelton under something of a cloud; not disgraced on yard/chasing debut with third in 2m4f handicap here but pulled up in 2m7f handicap chase back here 20 days ago; has something to prove now.

14/1

Form: 52

Last run: 114 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
Ran in two bumpers towards the end of 2023, looking a stayer when a close second of eight at Newcastle (heavy) on second occasion; stablemate of Kingston James and another leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

4th Oct 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:40 Kelso

Helsgetaway

12st 0lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

7yo who remains a maiden after 13 starts but he was twice a good third under Gregor Walkingshaw over C&D (good) in May, and he can be right in the picture if resuming where he left off.

3/1

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

Form: 06

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: —

Form & Verdict
The only 4yo in the line-up; unplaced at Newcastle and over C&D (behind Dedicated Hero); plenty to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Authorized Mission

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Easy win on stable debut at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and runner-up to progressive winner there (extended 2m6f, soft) next time; disappointing at Ayr (3m, soft) at the start of January but has had a break since and could bounce back with a bold show today.

11/2

9th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Authorized Mission

10st 10lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: Chris Grant

Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.

16/1

9th

8

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:58 Ayr

Authorized Mission

10st 10lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: Chris Grant

Encouraging second in Newcastle maiden (2m1f, good to soft) in December and won there (2m6f, soft) in January on second handicap start; disappointing back at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) since but this unexposed 5yo returns from a two-month break and could bounce back with a big run.

16/1

Verdict

Plenty with possibilities, but marginally the pick on form is TOM DONIPHON and he’s taken to follow up a game win at Doncaster. In order of preference the dangers are C&D winner Dedicated Hero, promising Newcastle runner-up Helsgetaway and the stoutly bred Battle Born Lad.[Richard O’Brien]