December 29 / 12.18 Kelso

12.18

Good To Soft

Visit Kelso In 2025 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
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Visit Kelso In 2025 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

8/13 (Won)

  • Win: £1.54
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 21-421

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who rallied gamely to open hurdling account in four-runner Cheltenham maiden (2m, good) six weeks ago; sets a fairly useful form standard here and Dan Skelton is evidently keen to move him up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Ace Of Spades

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dan Skelton

Successful over 2m4f on reappearance here (good to soft) in October and has shown better form at around 3m since, including a win at Huntingdon (good to soft) in January; only midfield behind reopposing stablemate Supremely West in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, though.

20/1

13th

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Ace Of Spades

11st 1lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Won two of his four starts this term and stayed on well for second to today's Grade 1 Stayers' candidate Ma Shantou here (3m, good) on New Year's Day on penultimate start; latest was a Huntingdon win (3m1f, soft) and he's now 5lb higher but this progressive 7yo has to be taken seriously.

11/1

1st

1

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 2

15:15 Huntingdon

Ace Of Spades

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Progressive handicapper who stayed on well for second in a Class 2 at Cheltenham three weeks ago (3m, good; effective on good to soft; unraced on slower) and the winner is due to run in this weekend's Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle; every chance despite the 4lb rise.

5/4

10/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 6

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a British point in 2022 and an Irish point last year; displayed significant promise when sixth of 13 on last month's rules debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) and has each-way claims at least if able to build on that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Far From Over

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

raced in second, not fluent 4 out, pressed leader 3 out, challenging 2 out, no extra before last, no match for winner

10/1

2nd

6

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Far From Over

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

raced in second, not fluent 4 out, pressed leader 3 out, challenging 2 out, no extra before last, no match for winner

10/1

6th

2

22nd Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Far From Over

11st 4lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Won a British point in 2022 and an Irish point last year; should have a future under rules but this hurdling debut comes after a 543-day layoff and he has a fair standard to reach.

25/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: /45-17 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Improved to beat a pretty good yardstick over C&D (good to soft) last month, his third hurdling start; won't be far away if in similar form today but ought to have been suited by the soft ground when safely held in C&D handicap three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Lunar Chief

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ruth Jefferson

didn't jump with fluency, in touch with leaders early, in rear when not fluent 4th, reminders after 4 out, rallied and went fourth 3 out, went third after 2 out, no impression before last

6/1

3rd

2

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Lunar Chief

11st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ruth Jefferson

didn't jump with fluency, in touch with leaders early, in rear when not fluent 4th, reminders after 4 out

6/1

Form: 7

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won slow-ground Irish point in April, his fifth run, and shaped with more promise than eventual 33l defeat might suggest on recent rules debut at Hexham (2m4f, soft); probably one for further down the line, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:46 Kelso

Always A Reason

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won in January on first two chase starts (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft) and bounced back from a lesser run when second here (2m5f, good to soft) 12 days ago in a first-time tongue-tie (retained); won a 3m point in 2024 and there's every chance he'll stay this far under rules; high on the list.

7/2

2nd

8

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Always A Reason

11st 0lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won in January on first two chase starts (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft), shaping each time as though he had more left in the tank; soundly beaten at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) since but that maybe shouldn't be taken as a sign that his current mark is beyond him; cheekpieces go on.

8/1

5th

4

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

Always A Reason

11st 5lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Rebecca Menzies

Progressed well over hurdles; didn't appear to be doing a lot in front when just holding on to make it 2-2 over fences at Catterick (2m3f, soft; second run in cheekpieces); has another 6lb to contend with but very much heading the right way.

5/1

Form: 655

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A well-beaten 66-1 shot in two 2m4f Hexham maidens this autumn; will be of greater interest when qualified for handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Wee Alki

12st 0lb

J: Miss Rebekah Duffy

T: Susan Corbett

Doubled his hurdle tally over nearly 3m at Hexham this month and that was on the back of good runs in defeat; raised 6lb but has placed form under the returning Rebekah Duffy who claims 7lb.

6/1

1st

4

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

20:15 Hexham

Wee Alki

11st 6lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

1-16 over hurdles (sole win was over C&D in November); creditable second to Dillarchie over 3m3f at Sedgefield on last two starts; suited by good ground; each-way chance.

7/1

Form: 92-6

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Did not show enough in his three bumpers (including when well beaten by Sea God in a match race) to warrant serious consideration on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

3rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:50 Newcastle

Bogleyburn

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

in touch with leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened quickly 2 out

200/1

1

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:05 Newcastle

Bogleyburn

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

midfield, dropped to rear and niggled along 3rd, not fluent and pecked on landing 7th

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined James Ewart after winning heavy-ground Irish point in March and readily made all to collect a fairly good prize for maiden hurdle on last month's rules debut at Newcastle (2m, good); should have more to offer over today's longer trip; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Small Town Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

made all, pestered from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won going away

4/1

1st

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

13:30 Newcastle

Small Town Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

made all, pestered from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in, won going away

4/1

3rd

1

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

13:27 Newcastle

Small Town Kid

11st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: James Ewart

led early, headed before 3rd, lost second 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out

5/1

Form: 1-4P

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point winner who was far too good for Bogleyburn in two-runner bumper on rules debut last December; however, managed only fourth when favourite for 2m5f novice hurdle here in May and was pulled up at Carlisle in October; now has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

15:35 Musselburgh

Sea God

10st 2lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

always behind, pulled up before 4 out

20/1

10

2nd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 3

15:35 Musselburgh

Sea God

10st 2lb

J: Conner McCann

T: Lucinda Russell

always behind, pulled up before 4 out

20/1

7

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

12:18 Kelso

Sea God

11st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

in touch with leaders

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.10
Straight Forecast £6.00
Trifecta £15.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ace Of Spades

The Times:

Small Town Kid

D Express:

Far From Over

RP RATINGS:

Ace Of Spades

POSTDATA:

Ace Of Spades

Daily Mirror:

Ace Of Spades

The Sun:

Ace Of Spades

The Star:

Ace Of Spades

Telegraph:

Small Town Kid

Daily Record:

Small Town Kid