March 04 / 15.00 Kelso

15.00

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 4f 189y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 475711

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
With the tongue-tie back on (retained since) he won on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) on Boxing Day and followed up at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft), both under Ben Sutton; has shot up the weights but is clearly thriving for his top yard; could play leading role once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Santos Blue

11st 8lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Did well for Dan Skelton and posted best effort for new stable when second behind easy winner at Sandown (2m7f, heavy) last time; however, likely needs a new level of form to go one better.

14/1

2nd

1

31st Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 103y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Ben Sutton

T: Olly Murphy

Successful six times under regular rider Ben Sutton, including on heavy going at Uttoxeter in 2024 and over 3m at Newbury last February; the latter was his final start for Dan Skelton and he's been well beaten this term on both runs for new yard; needs a career best to win this.

11/1

1st

2

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Santos Blue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

towards rear

11/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 16B-5P C

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Something to prove regarding current form having failed to shine over fences on his two starts this season; however, he's had wind surgery since and could appreciate the return to hurdles, having shown promise in this sphere during last season's novice campaign; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 3

14:13 Ayr

Donny Boy

11st 4lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner who ran well in two handicap chases here in 2024; however, this 10yo has been absent since being pulled up at Newbury that November and faces a very tough assignment on his return.

25/1

10

30th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

15:20 Newcastle

Donny Boy

10st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

0-8 over rules fences but knocking at the door for a while, finishing a highly creditable third at the Scottish National meeting at Ayr (3m, soft) in April and reappearing with a good second there (2m4f, good) four weeks ago; effective here and there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.

8/1

10

30th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 1

15:20 Newcastle

Donny Boy

10st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

0-8 over rules fences but knocking at the door for a while, finishing a highly creditable third at the Scottish National meeting at Ayr (3m, soft) in April and reappearing with a good second there (2m4f, good) four weeks ago; effective here and there's every chance he'll be thereabouts.

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 523-15 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 7yo who showed improved form to win on his stable debut in a maiden hurdle at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) last October; made eyecatching headway before fading in 3m Grade 2 novice at Doncaster (3m, good) last time and he's an interesting contender now back down in trip in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 1

14:45 Market Rasen

Mahons Glory

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Very capable prominent racer on his day and he had one of those in winning by 2l over C&D a month ago; 4lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark and he won't be the only one putting pace to the race.

8/1

1st

1

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

15:55 Market Rasen

Mahons Glory

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Capitalized on a drop in grade to land his third win over fences at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in March off 6lb lower; ran respectably when sixth in the Topham over the National fences, and when fourth in the Oaksey Chase at Sandown in April; sure to run well but vulnerable off top weight.

13/2

4th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Mahons Glory

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dylan Cunha

Broadly consistent in handicaps for current yard and ran respectably in the Topham at Aintree (2m5f) most recently; made all, despite jumping left, at Huntingdon (2m4f; also on good to soft) the time before; this is a harder task.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 14-912 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer who got back on track with a win at Wetherby (2m5f, good to soft) on Boxing Day then bumped into highly progressive winner when 14l second there (2m3f, soft) last time; can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Defied much higher marks twice, including over C&D, a couple of years ago; has failed to repeat the form since and ran particularly poorly last time.

16/1

10th

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

13:50 Doncaster

Raffertys Return

11st 13lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time hurdle winner who continues to drop down the weights; however, it's a long time since this 11yo has been competitive.

33/1

7th

8

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Carlisle

Raffertys Return

11st 2lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Five-time winner, including over 2m3f here; hasn't been at his best in two runs this season and probably best watched in what looks a competitive event.

50/1

Form: 213111 C

Last run: 135 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Has done very well since joining this yard and landed an autumn hat-trick (2m/2m1f, good/soft); also won over 2m4f last June; returns from a break but he's a key player if resuming where he left off in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

11

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

15:10 Cartmel

Well Educated

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: George Bewley

Runner-up three consecutive times at Hexham (2m-2m4f, good) this spring and also suited by this track but his latest run was below par and he's 2lb wrong today.

14/1

4th

5

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 3

15:43 Hexham

Well Educated

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

No win since May 2024, but has run plenty of good races since; runner-up here on all three starts this season (2m/2m4f), last time finishing 9l behind to Perseus Way, who is 9lb worse off.

9/2

2nd

8

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

15:40 Hexham

Well Educated

10st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

A head away from securing a fifth course win here last Saturday (2m); can number two C&D successes among that haul and respected again, for all that his record in the past three editions of this race reads 655.

9/1

Form: 3211-1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Returned from a long absence to belatedly land a hat-trick on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in January; 6lb higher in a better race here but every chance he has more to offer; showed promise on soft in Ireland.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:20 Ascot

Clay Rogers

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders after 4th

10/1

6th

6

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Clay Rogers

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from a long absence to belatedly land a hat-trick on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in January; 6lb higher in a better race here but every chance he has more to offer; showed promise on soft in Ireland.

7/1

1st

4

29th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Southwell

Clay Rogers

11st 12lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

Makes handicap debut after quite an absence and they were weak 2m4f events that he won at Uttoxeter when last seen in 2021; the cheekpieces worn for those wins are absent; would need to see some confidence behind him, especially with the yard also running Clonakilty.

13/2

Form: 1/0311 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) on Boxing Day on third start back from a long layoff and followed up here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; this is a better race than last time, and over a different trip, but he did it comfortably and showed promise over C&D earlier in his career; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

14th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

13:50 Kelso

Dancewiththewind

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Needs to produce more than he's managed this season on his first three chase starts, but Musselburgh last time was a sizeable step in the right direction and he could continue to get better over fences; won here twice over hurdles and he's well treated on his form in that sphere; not ruled out.

10/1

3rd

1

18th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 4

13:55 Musselburgh

Dancewiththewind

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Won Irish point earlier in career but his four rules wins have come over hurdles and although he had a stiff task on chase debut at Carlisle he showed no enthusiasm when pulled up early at Kelso in November (first-time cheekpieces, discarded now); risky.

7/2

0

2

11th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 4

12:30 Kelso

Dancewiththewind

11st 9lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

raced in last, reminder after 1st, detached after 3rd, pulled up after 4th

7/1

Form: 642-96 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on form as recent as last April for Olly Murphy and heavy ground may not have suited on his first two runs for this yard; however, he's been tailed off each time and a major turnaround is required in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

18th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:25 Perth

Enemy Coast Ahead

11st 7lb

J: Thomas Reilly

T: Katie Scott

All of his three hurdle wins (2m/2m4f) came on good ground in the summer of 2020; very well treated on his old form but he's struggled in four runs for this yard and a big turnaround is needed.

25/1

5th

5

28th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

13:30 Perth

Enemy Coast Ahead

11st 7lb

J: Thomas Reilly

T: Katie Scott

Possible to make excuses for three outings from this yard (heavy ground in first two, hampered latest) but has been tailed off each time and urgently needs a return to something more positive.

25/1

8th

10

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Enemy Coast Ahead

10st 7lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Katie Scott

Well handicapped on form as recent as last April for Olly Murphy and heavy ground may not have suited on his first two runs for this yard; however, he's been tailed off each time and a major turnaround is required in first-time cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 21627P D

Last run: 98 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
10yo who showed he retained spark when going close over fences at Carlisle last October; struggled over hurdles/fences the next twice, however, and the subsequent wind op has to make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:15 Perth

Dallas Des Pictons

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Dianne Sayer

Won at Hexham (2m4f, good) last September off 5lb higher mark; ran respectably, having been given a break since pulling up over fences in March, when fifth of seven at Hexham (2m4f, good) last month when leading from the front and headed only approaching the last flight; weighted to win but is hard to predict.

12/1

5th

4

23rd Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

16:18 Hexham

Dallas Des Pictons

11st 6lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Dianne Sayer

Very useful in his prime and proved he retains a significant chunk of ability when causing 40-1 surprise over C&D (good) in September; quickly back in the doldrums since, though, and it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood today.

16/1

5

9th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:43 Ayr

Dallas Des Pictons

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Dianne Sayer

in touch with leaders, outpaced and dropped to last 9th, slow jump 10th, lost touch 11th, struggling 13th

20/1

Form: 14-246 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Last season's two novice hurdle wins came here (2m/2m2f, good/soft), including the Grade 2 on this card; respectable sixth of 15 in Cheltenham handicap (2m1f, soft) in January and has had wind surgery since; should be fine now back up in trip and firmly in calculations given his record here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Nells Son

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; no real promise back hurdling six weeks ago but had wind surgery since and his stable is enjoying a cracking spring.

14/1

8th

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Nells Son

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Better known as a chaser nowadays, but won twice over hurdles over four years ago; not the force of old but is 5lb lower over hurdles compared to his chase mark; vulnerable to anything progressive.

33/1

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Nells Son

12st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

A smart winning chaser at his peak but not at his best this term, only fifth of six in 2m Windsor handicap chase 27 days ago; his mark is falling but this veteran still looks vulnerable conceding weight all round here.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.10
Straight Forecast £39.74
Tricast £194.19
Trifecta £234.70

Selections

RP Ratings:

Dancewiththewind

The Times:

Santos Blue

SPOTLIGHT:

Mahons Glory

POSTDATA:

Nells Son

Telegraph:

Clay Rogers

The Guardian:

Santos Blue

The Sun:

Santos Blue

TOPSPEED:

Mahons Glory

D Express:

Nells Son

Daily Mail:

Dancewiththewind

Daily Mirror:

Dancewiththewind

The Star:

Dancewiththewind

Daily Record:

Dancewiththewind