April 17 / 13.40 Kelso

13.40

Good To Soft

David Brownlee 50 Years At Kelso Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 2f 25y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
David Brownlee 50 Years At Kelso Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.10
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 253451

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Built upon promise shown for Rebecca Menzies when winning Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) by 24l on last month's stable debut; tackles stronger opposition and has penalty to carry here but still respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

10th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

14:50 Kelso

Ballyporeen

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

prominent on inner, led before 7th

4/7

1st

1

17th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 4

13:40 Kelso

Ballyporeen

11st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Built upon promise shown for Rebecca Menzies when winning Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) by 24l on last month's stable debut; tackles stronger opposition and has penalty to carry here but still respected.

11/4

1st

3

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

16:00 Musselburgh

Ballyporeen

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Showed enough in qualifying runs to be competitive on handicap debut at Sedgefield but found little (2m5f, good to soft); left Rebecca Menzies since; still time for better but takes on high-flying rivals.

12/1

25/1

  • Place: £5.50

Form: 476

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise in Irish points/bumpers and wasn't beaten far when sixth of eight in Wetherby bumper (good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) on recent stable debut but needs to improve to land a telling blow on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Special Rate

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Hugh Burns

Yet to add to his four chase wins for Philip Kirby during 2023-24 season but has made the frame on all four starts for current stable since December, most recently when third of five at Newcastle (2m4f, good) nine days ago; tried in cheekpieces today; probably won't be far away.

11/2

3rd

5

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 3

14:42 Newcastle

Special Rate

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Hugh Burns

With Phil Kirby when left alone in a match at Kelso (3m, soft) in February 2024, that being his fourth (and most recent) win over fences; runner-up in this last year (beaten 11l) for Lizzie Quinlan; in the frame three times (Musselburgh) for Hugh Burns; competes from an easing mark, needing more.

4/1

4th

1

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Special Rate

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Hugh Burns

On a two-year losing spell but looks reasonably solid, having posted two respectable efforts over C&D this winter for new yard; remains well treated on peak form.

4/1

4/6

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5-22 BF

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Made promising rules debut in Navan bumper last season and has finished second on both hurdling starts this term, more recently when back at Navan (2m6f, good to yielding) last month; that form has been very well advertised by the winner since; ought to be hard to beat here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

13th Mar 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 200y

14:54 Limerick

Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa

11st 8lb

J: Caragh Monaghan

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Consistent over hurdles without winning, placed all six starts; second in a chase at Down Royal last spring; doubts raised by a poor point-to-point run when favourite at Oldtown last month.

10/1

3rd

2

25th May 2024

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

16:00 Cartmel

Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

didn't always jump with fluency, disputed lead, prominent 4th, not fluent 5th

9/4

3rd

2

25th May 2024

Soft

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

16:00 Cartmel

Jimmy Chou Pecos Aa

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

didn't always jump with fluency, disputed lead, prominent 4th, not fluent 5th, led after 2 out, joined last, soon headed and lost second, weakened quickly run-in

9/4

Form: 38

Last run: 48 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won small-field Irish point in the autumn but was soundly beaten in two uncompetitive hurdle races at Catterick (3m1f/1m7f) in February, latterly when about 46l behind Chase A Fortune; hood fitted here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Beauty To Behold

12st 0lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Irish point winner but he's 0-10 over hurdles and has finished tailed off at Perth (2m4f/2m) in last two runs; went close off this mark three runs back but he needs a major revival on this switch to chasing; all runs have been on good or slower.

8/1

9th

2

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:50 Perth

Beauty To Behold

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: R Mike Smith

Perth regular (form figures 323327); narrowly beaten over 2m4f (soft) here last September but fluffed her lines next time (trainer was unable to offer an explanation); runner-up in this race last year, so no major surprise if she bounces back to form after a 232-day absence.

13/2

9th

2

16th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:50 Perth

Beauty To Behold

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: R Mike Smith

Perth regular (form figures 323327); narrowly beaten over 2m4f (soft) here last September but fluffed her lines next time (trainer was unable to offer an explanation); runner-up in this race last year, so no major surprise if she bounces back to form after a 232-day absence.

13/2

Form: 148-

Last run: 402 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won five-runner Musselburgh bumper for Rebecca Menzies in 2021 but well beaten on both hurdling starts for that stable last year and has shown only modest form on the Flat since; back over hurdles for stable debut; tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Kopa Kilana

10st 11lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Is 0-29 over hurdles and he ran poorly in a refitted tongue tie when ninth of 11 in 2m Wetherby handicap hurdle 15 days ago; it's easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

9th

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Kopa Kilana

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

Runner-up twice in a row at Perth (2m4f, good) in September but struggled on final two starts for Olly Murphy and it was the same story on his stable debut in November; returns from a break with something to prove.

25/1

3

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

16:50 Fontwell

Kopa Kilana

11st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-25 over hurdles but has posted some good efforts for new stable since the summer, most recently when second at Perth (2m4f, good) last month; also suited by slower ground; probably won't be far away.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 223212 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Placed on first three hurdling starts and didn't need to improve to win easily at Catterick (1m7f, good) in February; no match for winner when beaten at short odds at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) last month but might have bumped into a useful one that day; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Chase A Fortune

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December and has continued in good form, finishing second on his last two starts (1m7f/2m1f, good to soft); very solid claims.

4/1

2nd

2

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Chase A Fortune

11st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Record of 212 since switched back to hurdles from chasing, the win at Wetherby (2m, soft) in first-time cheekpieces; Musselburgh effort (1m7f, good to soft) last time resulted in a career-best RPR; should go well in the retained headgear.

11/2

1

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 5

14:45 Kelso

Chase A Fortune

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Both his wins have been over 1m7f at Catterick, the latest off this mark in February 2024 (soft); several fair efforts since, including after a 325-day break last time; each-way chance.

11/2

Form: 068

Last run: 97 days

W: 10st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flat-bred 4yo who didn't show enough in his three bumpers to warrant serious consideration on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Monty Nevett

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

prominent, hit 4 out, soon lost position, weakened after 3 out

25/1

15th

11

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Monty Nevett

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

prominent, hit 4 out, soon lost position, weakened after 3 out

25/1

Form: 66PF

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled on her first two hurdling starts (2m4f/2m) and fell when last in action; easy to overlook.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:07 Perth

Not In Kansas

10st 13lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Ran respectably over 2m4f at Perth last month in a race she'd won a year earlier; capable of being involved but the return to 3m presents a question mark.

8/1

4th

6

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

21:00 Perth

Not In Kansas

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: N W Alexander

Best to forgive latest effort (finished lame); ran encouragingly in most recent attempt in this grade; successful in this race last year and warrants respect off a workable mark.

9/1

4th

6

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

21:00 Perth

Not In Kansas

11st 1lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: N W Alexander

Best to forgive latest effort (finished lame); ran encouragingly in most recent attempt in this grade; successful in this race last year and warrants respect off a workable mark.

9/1

Form: 246

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Ayr bumper (good to soft) on debut in October but both bumper runs there this year were underwhelming; probably best watched on today's hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Lucky Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Fair novice; generally disappointing in handicaps last season, over fences on last two occasions; back over hurdles with cheekpieces tried; others appeal more.

14/1

5th

8

7th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:25 Kelso

Lucky Soldier

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Fair novice; generally disappointing in handicaps last season, over fences on last two occasions; back over hurdles with cheekpieces tried; others appeal more.

14/1

3

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:17 Carlisle

Lucky Soldier

11st 3lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: N W Alexander

mistake 1st, pulled up after 3rd

12/1

Form: 9-9P9P

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Yet to show any promise after four hurdle starts (2m-2m5f); hooded for first time here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

17th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

17:30 Hexham

Diamant Sur Canape

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Ewan Whillans

Had some excuses and was not disgraced when seventh at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month but struggled when dropped back to 2m1f for weak selling handicap three weeks later; 12lb wrong here; blinkers added.

33/1

11

31st May 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

18:50 Cartmel

Diamant Sur Canape

10st 3lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ewan Whillans

Unplaced all six hurdling starts but had some excuses and wasn't beaten that far on recent handicap debut at Kelso (2m5f); not out of this if suited by the drop back in trip; hood removed.

12/1

13

23rd May 2023

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Diamant Sur Canape

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Ewan Whillans

Form:

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped with more promise than eventual 83l defeat might suggest on last month's rules debut at Hexham (2m, heavy) and may last longer on today's better ground but others have considerably stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Monklaw

10st 11lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

in rear, mistake 1st

25/1

15

23rd Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

14:05 Wetherby

Monklaw

10st 11lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

in rear, mistake 1st

25/1

Form:

Last run: 49 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in a Flat maiden for Joseph O'Brien in Ireland last spring (9.5f; RPR 72) but both Flat runs for current stable were disappointing and she struggled on her hurdling debut in February; had wind op last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(3)

16th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 33y

Class 6

15:35 Musselburgh

Flash Bulb

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

in touch with leaders

40/1

9th

6

(8)

3rd Oct 2023

Soft

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

16:32 Ayr

Flash Bulb

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Katie Scott

Ex-Irish maiden who holds weak claims judged on form for current yard; had a second wind surgery since last run; it needs to help.

40/1

11th

3

(3)

17th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:10 Ayr

Flash Bulb

9st 9lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Katie Scott

took keen hold, prominent

33/1

Form: 6-P

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled to get competitive on first two starts (3m1f/2m); can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

15:20 Ayr

Midnight Fiddler

11st 9lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Struggled to get competitive on all three hurdling starts for the Graham and Rutherford stable (2m1f-3m1f); makes debut for Stuart Coltherd after ten-month absence.

50/1

13th

7

17th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 2f 25y

Class 4

13:40 Kelso

Midnight Fiddler

11st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Struggled to get competitive on first two starts (3m1f/2m); can't be recommended.

100/1

8

31st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

14:00 Newcastle

Midnight Fiddler

11st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Out of 3m-3m4f chase winner; tailed off when 40-1 for debut at Catterick (3m1f, good to soft) last March; tries much shorter trip here.

100/1

Form: 0PR

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some temperament and no significant promise in two points and two maiden hurdles in Ireland; refused to race when reappearing for new stable last month; makes no appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

14

23rd Jan 2024

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 100y

15:30 Down Royal

Glen Ali

10st 7lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

Has struggled since rejoining her original trainer after an unsuccessful stint with Iain Jardine; tends to jump to the right; no reassurance from her last three races.

66/1

0

10

11th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 9y

12:25 Clonmel

Glen Ali

10st 0lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

towards rear but in touch with leaders, fell 5th

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £74.40
Straight Forecast £51.95
Trifecta £152.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA

TOPSPEED:

Ballyporeen

Daily Mail:

Chase A Fortune

POSTDATA:

Ballyporeen

Daily Mirror:

Ballyporeen

RP Ratings:

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA

The Times:

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA

Telegraph:

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA

Daily Record:

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA