December 29 / 12.53 Kelso

12.53

Good To Soft

Slainte Mhath Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Slainte Mhath Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £15.20
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 5-128R CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Beaten when refusing at Market Rasen a month ago; even if shrugging aside that disappointment, others might be better handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Idem

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Another in this field who took in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, finishing a good fifth of 24 to Supremely West; should be competitive again but nothing in his record suggests he has enough in hand to win a race as hot as this.

25/1

5th

23

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Idem

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Never-dangerous tenth in this race last year; ran creditably on three of his four starts this season, second in the Musselburgh qualifier last time, but he's an exposed 8yo who needs to show something new.

50/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 11-3F

Last run: 74 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper (heavy) and novice hurdle (2m, soft) in first two runs before a creditable third on handicap debut at Hexham (2m4f, good) in May; fell when switched to chasing on his return; still has untapped potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

17th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

16:43 Ayr

I Am Max

11st 5lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Thomson

Inconsistent this season and down the field at Haydock a fortnight ago; however, he ran pretty well when runner-up at Doncaster two starts ago and is 2lb lower than when a close fourth of 13 in this race last year; if he's on song in a first-time tongue-tie he might not be far away.

16/1

7th

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

I Am Max

10st 5lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sandy Thomson

Short-headed on his only start here; won a Hexham chase in October; hasn't done as well since, finishing runner-up to Jakar Du Moulin when returned to hurdling at Doncaster (3m) on latest start but he needs to build on that markedly; stable in good form.

16/1

2nd

5

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 3

15:02 Doncaster

I Am Max

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Thomson

Won a Hexham novice handicap chase in October (2m4f); hasn't done as well since but reverts to hurdling off a feasible mark; this good ground suits and stable going well, so an interesting candidate.

10/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 47211P

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Followed up his maiden win with a ready 2l success on handicap debut at Ascot (2m3f), again on good ground; has a bit to prove on this softer surface, though it was a Grade 2 he ran when pulled up on soft last time; enters the reckoning if forgiven that failure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Uttoxeter

Ballytechno

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Useful form in handicap hurdles at about 2m4f and time might show he had a tough task trying to give plenty of weight to the first two on chase debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in June; major player off the same mark.

11/4

3rd

1

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Worcester

Ballytechno

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

2-6 over hurdles; returned from a break with creditable fourth of 14 in competitive Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good) in April; will be a tough nut to crack in this lower grade if he takes to fences at the first attempt.

5/2

4th

13

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Ballytechno

11st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: James Owen

Perhaps unsuited by soft ground when pulled up in a Grade 2 in December but it's been a progressive campaign otherwise and was a closing third over 2m6f at Kelso (handicap on good to soft) when last sighted later that month; unlikely that a lack of recent match practice will hold him back here and could be interesting.

10/1

Form: 53-863

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Third at Hexham (2m4f, soft) despite some modest jumping and he now has a strike-rate of 2-35; this looks a better race than last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Guernesey

10st 4lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Has won just two of his 41 races over hurdles but nearly made it three when beaten a neck by Adveram (2lb worse off) at Hexham in December (2m7f, heavy); hasn't done as well since and was a long way behind Ballin Bay last time.

20/1

5th

6

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Guernesey

10st 11lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Jackie Stephen

Consistent sort; hasn't won since October 2022, but has run creditably on last three starts and has an each-way chance.

9/1

Form: 524-83

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Fairly exposed over shorter distances but ran a good race to be third at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) last month; didn't appear to stay 3m once before but this far might be within range; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Fingals Hill

11st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

5lb higher than when a 6l winner of this last year, beating Ike Sport; returns on the back of two solid efforts at Newcastle; chance.

6/1

2nd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Fingals Hill

12st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Peter Atkinson

This race was one of the three he won last season, all of them on good or good to soft at this trip; on his last winning mark and, after his running-on second over 2m1f here last time, should go well again.

2/1

2nd

1

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Fingals Hill

12st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Peter Atkinson

Won back to back at Aintree & Hexham (both 2m4f) last summer, rising to a career-high mark of 134; kicked off 2026 with a solid effort at Doncaster (2m4f, soft; runner-up) and he's capable of bouncing back from a lesser effort at Kelso since.

5/1

Form: 67211- CD

Last run: 317 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Looks very progressive after winning his last two, latterly emerging from off the pace to make a successful handicap debut with a good bit in hand over C&D (soft); raised 8lb but could still be on good terms in that respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Nab Wood

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Has a record of 2-4 this term but gained the second success in one of the weaker Pertemps qualifiers and faces a stiffer task off 6lb higher in this field; possibly unsuited by Windsor most recently.

16/1

10th

5

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Nab Wood

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Largely progressive northern raider; won going away in Pertemps qualifier at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) most recently, taking record this term to 2-3 and overall strike-rate to 4-12; ventures south with respectable claims.

7/1

1st

7

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

13:58 Ayr

Nab Wood

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Lightly raced for his age; beaten a head by Ginger Mail over 2m4f here (soft) in January and he was a good fifth at Kelso on his final start last term; unexposed over 3m+ and gets weight all round; commands major respect.

5/1

Form: 313-21 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Consistent 6yo who looks to be getting better judged on his decisive win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft); up in grade off an 8lb higher mark but has live claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

11th

3

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Bertie B

11st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Won well at Plumpton (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he was only seventh next time and then pulled up at Ascot; bit to prove all of a sudden.

12/1

Form: -81960 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Was progressing well but has hit troubled times and was tailed off behind Young Jack here recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Kingston Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

held up in last, not fluent 6th

25/1

8th

8

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Kingston Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

held up in last, not fluent 6th

25/1

10th

3

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Kingston Bridge

11st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Ewan Whillans

midfield

20/1

Form: 184-25

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Failed to fire on chase debut latest but had previously gone down narrowly over hurdles at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) when returning from 310 days away; only 2lb higher this afternoon and can run well.
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: 139-51 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer; made a pleasing return in a Class 2 and, back in a Class 4, he kept on best over C&D three weeks ago; raised 5lb and he's coming along nicely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:45 Ayr

Young Jack

10st 13lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Runner-up on three of his first four chase starts (2m7f/2m5f, soft/heavy) before winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft) last month; it was a small field last time and he's in a hotter race today, but he did it nicely and could have more to offer in the cheekpieces, which he's worn just twice.

14/1

1st

3

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Young Jack

11st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Chris Grant

Sound efforts on three of his four starts this term, last time finishing runner-up over 2m5f here (heavy; cheekpieces first time); headgear retained and a possible back up in trip.

11/8

2nd

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Young Jack

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Course hurdles winner who was runner-up on chase debut here (2m7f, soft) in December and bounced back from Ayr flop to go close at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) last time; he has an up-and-down profile but he's a key player if once more on a going day; wears first-time cheekpieces.

4/1

Form: 3214-6

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Sole win came over 3m1f in March; well held in Young Jack's race here this month and she's 7lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

11th

12

29th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

12:53 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Sandy Forster

towards rear

33/1

6th

12

8th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:30 Kelso

Gypseys Secret

10st 5lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Sandy Forster

in rear, not fluent 4th

14/1

Non-runners

Gaillimh A Stor

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £99.10
Straight Forecast £80.38
Tricast £416.41
Trifecta £595.40

Selections

The Times:

Nab Wood

RP RATINGS:

Guernesey

Telegraph:

Bertie B

POSTDATA:

Ballytechno

SPOTLIGHT:

Dunnet Head

The Star:

Idem

Daily Mirror:

Nab Wood

Daily Record:

Nab Wood

D Express:

Bertie B

TOPSPEED:

Guernesey

The Sun:

Guernesey