December 04 / 11.35 Kelso

11.35

Good To Soft

Visit Kelso Christmas Events ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 51y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
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Visit Kelso Christmas Events ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 61- D

Last run: 466 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Unraced on slow ground and absent since August 2021 but he was an easy bumper winner for Colin Bowe back then (2m1f, good) and returns to hurdles with his new trainer in fine form; changed hands for £22,000 last September and wears a first-time tongue-tie; could play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

15:43 Ayr

Carcaci Castle

11st 1lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

10yo who isn't the force of old but has dropped down the weights accordingly and finished second to an improving winner at Musselburgh last month; could be a contender if backing up that performance.

15/2

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

5th

2

10th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

16:05 Hexham

Carcaci Castle

11st 8lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Sandy Thomson

Fair third at Kelso in December (2m1f, good to soft) but has failed to complete on both outings since, latest over 2m4f at Perth (fell four out); on a fair mark at present but a bit to prove.

14/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 17 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third in his sole point (3m, yielding) and won on bumper debut at Perth (2m, good) in September; only seventh at Cheltenham (2m, good) subsequently but that form is working out well and he brings potential to this first hurdles start; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Jem In Em

10st 6lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

Bumper/hurdle winner who appreciated the return to this discipline when going down narrowly over nearly 3m at Hexham last month; this is a stronger race, however.

7/1

3rd

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 127y

Class 3

15:52 Perth

Jem In Em

10st 6lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

7/1

2nd

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Jem In Em

12st 0lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

jumped right on occasions, midfield

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 32

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) in October and again ran well when second of three behind an odds-on winner at Hexham (2m4f, soft) last month; sets the standard on hurdle form and has solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Quickasican

11st 8lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Jessica Bedi

Lightly raced 9yo who was pulled up in 2m4f handicap chase at Hexham two weeks ago; not proving easy to catch right.

16/1

5

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Quickasican

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Jessica Bedi

Failed to complete on first two starts over fences, but shaped better when second of five at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good); could go well.

8/1

2nd

6

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Quickasican

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jessica Bedi

Signs of ability over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies in 2022; lightly raced since, failing to complete in two attempts over fences (PF) for this trainer; monitor only for time being.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't enjoy a clear run but found plenty to win on debut in a bumper at Ayr (2m, good to soft) in October, when the 9-4 joint-favourite; trainer won this last year and this fellow looks a good prospect; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

16:15 Musselburgh

Dunnet Head

11st 3lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Defied a higher mark for previous yard but holds poor claims on his form (hurdles/fences) for new stable; enough to prove back up in distance.

16/1

7

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

12:50 Newcastle

Dunnet Head

10st 11lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Out of sorts on both runs over hurdles for this stable this season, but his previous form over fences last season entitles him to respect if benefiting for recent wind surgery.

25/1

9th

13

2nd Nov 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

15:47 Carlisle

Dunnet Head

10st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Tried chasing last season and signed off on a low note back over hurdles; what heightens interest is his record at this meeting when fresh, having won this two years ago and been beaten a head in the earlier 2m4f handicap last season; slightly lower in the weights this time; respected.

8/1

Form: 6-6

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish maiden point runner-up (3m, yielding to soft) who has been soundly beaten in sixth on his two rules starts (1m7f/2m, good to soft/good); however, there was a hint of promise on last month's hurdle debut at Hereford and he's open to improvement for his top northern stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

18th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

18:05 Kelso

Upagainstit

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won a Warwick novice handicap chase (2m, soft) off an 8lb higher mark in March 2023; fair run when over hurdles at Bangor in June (2m, good); cheekpieces tried; bit to prove.

7/1

10th

2

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Upagainstit

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Generally disappointing since winning chase debut in March 2023 but posted a couple of decent efforts over hurdles in June (albeit a late faller on latter occasion) and reverts to fences with renewed hope.

8/1

7

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:48 Bangor-on-Dee

Upagainstit

11st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Narrow winner off 7lb higher over fences at Warwick (2m, soft) last March; has not matched that form since but he returned to hurdling with a second in C&D novice (good) three weeks ago; was allowed to dictate in that race but that was more like it and he's in the mix back in a handicap; one of two runners for yard.

5/1

Form: 3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair third in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in March on his second start and again showed some ability when 34l third of ten on recent hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, soft); improvement is possible but very much needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:43 Perth

Fia Fuinidh

10st 2lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Returned from layoff with two good efforts over fences last autumn but the rest of last season's chasing form was disappointing; now hurdling for first time since 2023; on good mark (even from 2lb out of the weights) but needs to have refreshed by latest break.

20/1

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Fia Fuinidh

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Returned from break with two good seconds in the autumn (2m/2m1f), but has lost his way a bit since and is unraced on ground quicker than good to soft (withdrawn from a recent engagement with good deemed unsuitable).

13/2

7th

1

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Fia Fuinidh

12st 0lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Martin Todhunter

Returned from break with two good seconds in the autumn (2m/2m1f), but has lost his way a bit since and is unraced on ground quicker than good to soft (withdrawn from a recent engagement with good deemed unsuitable).

13/2

Form: 52

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left his debut run well behind when second of 12 in bumper here last month (2m, good to soft; albeit no match for the winner); he could continue to progress but he needs something extra to make a winning start over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Getabeau

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Chris Grant

towards rear

6/1

11th

7

26th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Wetherby

Getabeau

11st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Chris Grant

led, jumped right 1st, headed after 4 out

50/1

5th

7

26th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

13:25 Newcastle

Getabeau

11st 4lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Chris Grant

Has shown ability at an ordinary level in bumpers but failed to match the pick of that form on hurdle debut; might well find one or two too good again.

66/1

Form: 7

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished third in three of his Irish maiden points but didn't really threaten and he was well beaten at 125-1 on his rules debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; he's probably best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

18:38 Perth

Shantou Moon

11st 0lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: William Young Jnr

0-14 in points and 2-29 under rules, with chase record 0-6; very opposable on what he's been showing of late in handicap chases.

33/1

2

25th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

14:37 Uttoxeter

Shantou Moon

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: William Young Jnr

Career record reads 2-42 including 14 starts in points; finished a very long way behind Wheresmemoneygone at Perth (3m, good) last month, but even a huge weights swing makes him hard to fancy; tongue-tie returns.

40/1

3

3rd Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

16:20 Perth

Shantou Moon

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: William Young Jnr

Second of four in C&D (good) hunter chase in May, but the form isn't anything to go wild about and he was pulled up when back in a handicap at Hexham last month; others look much stronger.

33/1

Form: 84-5

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Not beaten far when fourth in Musselburgh bumper (1m7f, good) in March but that form is modest and she was soundly beaten in mid-division on last month's hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, soft); others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

14th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 5

12:50 Kelso

Lacila Blue

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Consistent in her five runs last February-November, all over about 2m and second of five in a handicap at Hexham (heavy; acts on good) last time; needs extra to win but has place claims again.

7/2

2nd

3

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Hexham

Lacila Blue

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Placed in three of her last four hurdles starts (all around 2m); has shown enough to suggest she can be competitive from this mark, now returning to handicap company.

2/1

3rd

10

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:54 Kelso

Lacila Blue

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: N W Alexander

took keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went third last, kept on

8/1

Form: 06-6

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Big odds and down the field on all three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

17:10 Sedgefield

Couldntgivamonkeys

11st 4lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

Failed to improve for the switch to handicap level at Newcastle last month having been friendless in the betting; this six-race maiden holds weak claims on overall form and needs a big step forward.

16/1

7th

4

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:15 Newcastle

Couldntgivamonkeys

11st 10lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

Showed very little on first four starts but was making some encouraging late headway when a final-flight faller at Wetherby (2m, soft) last month; could be in the mix if building on that now handicapping.

12/1

3

26th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Wetherby

Couldntgivamonkeys

11st 2lb

J: William Shanahan

T: R Mike Smith

held up in rear

100/1

Form: 8

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the fifth attempt in Irish maiden points (3m, soft) in April; sold for £4,000 in May; it's very early days under rules but he was tailed off on his hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, soft) recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 149y

Class 5

13:15 Newcastle

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Nicky Richards

Won Irish maiden point (3m, soft) last April; heavy defeats in Britain in three novice hurdles and, after wind surgery, beaten 20l when sixth of 15 on handicap debut at Hexham (near 3m, heavy) 13 days ago; he was well behind Pipers Cross in the latter and is 2lb out of the handicap today.

6/1

6th

14

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Form of last April's Irish point win (3m, soft) hasn't worked out; three heavy defeats in slow-ground 2m hurdles since, and hopes likely rest as much on the wind surgery as the step back up in trip.

16/1

13

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 5

14:00 Ayr

Serious Mickey

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Opened her account at the fifth attempt in Irish points; has poor claims on rules form (2m) but looks a possible improver now handicapping and upped to 2m4f on first run since wind surgery.

16/1

Non-runners

Serious Mickey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.60
Straight Forecast £22.14
Trifecta £143.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dunnet Head

POSTDATA:

Jem In Em

The Times:

Dunnet Head

Telegraph:

Dunnet Head

Daily Mail:

Dunnet Head

D Express:

Dunnet Head

The Sun:

Dunnet Head

Daily Record:

Dunnet Head

Daily Mirror:

Jem In Em

The Star:

Jem In Em