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
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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

2nd

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

19:00 Taunton

Gasmani

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David Dennis

Came good as a hurdler (sixth attempt) when asserting by 5l in a five-runner and four-finisher novice handicap over C&D (good) 13 days ago, having breezed into the lead before two out under Charlie Maggs; hot favourite Noble Blue unseated early in that race; up 6lb but probably has a good chance.

5/2

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

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

1st

5

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 3

14:15 Taunton

Tom Doniphon

11st 4lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

jumped right throughout, raced in second and chased clear leader, headway before 6th, led 4 out, shaken up before 2 out, pushed out run-in, comfortably

7/4

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

3rd

8

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Disco Davis

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Heavy-ground 2m hurdle winner when with Dan Skelton; changed hands for 1,000gns since being beaten more than 16l in a Stratford seller in March; 2lb lower for chase debut but can only suggest a watching brief at present.

20/1

4th

1

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:15 Stratford

Disco Davis

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Started the season with a good 2m4f Uttoxeter fourth but he's been pulled up all three starts since in handicaps from 2m4f to 3m; in top hands but is hard to warm to despite the drop in grade.

14/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

Disco Davis

12st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Good fourth on seasonal debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) but ought to have been suited by the soft ground when pulled up on consecutive outings towards end of last year (2m4f/2m6f); tries a new trip here; needs three-month break to have done him good.

7/1

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

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: 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]