March 01 / 14.20 Kelso

14.20

Good To Soft

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 4f 189y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: -31313 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Won maiden hurdle here (2m, good to soft) in October and impressed on handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in January; soundly beaten third at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) since but that was a warm novice and he may benefit from this drop back in trip for the time being; retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Bold Light

12st 1lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Won a Class 2 at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft; from 7lb higher) in March 2025, but has failed to match that level of form since (0-9); wasn't beaten too far over C&D (Class 3; fourth of seven) three weeks ago, and a similar effort would give him a shout in this added tongue-tie; 2-10 for Alan Doyle.

4/1

4th

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

15:47 Perth

Bold Light

11st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Three wins last season; hasn't scaled the same heights this time round, although latest third of six at Newcastle was a bit more encouraging and he's well handicapped if staging a full-scale revival.

12/1

3rd

7

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Bold Light

11st 2lb

J: Jack Power

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Three wins last season, the latest over 2m5f off a 5lb higher mark on good to soft at Kelso in March; hasn't done quite as well this term, but these conditions suit and is back on a decent mark.

15/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 13-131

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won on reappearance at Wetherby (2m4f, good to soft) and made it 4-6 over hurdles when returning to winning ways at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) four weeks ago; has also won elsewhere (first visit here); could be suited by today's extra yardage and he's a strong contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

14:20 Kelso

Mr Bramley

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Won on reappearance at Wetherby (2m4f, good to soft) and made it 4-6 over hurdles when returning to winning ways at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) four weeks ago; has also won elsewhere (first visit here); could be suited by today's extra yardage and he's a strong contender.

7/2

1st

6

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:43 Wetherby

Mr Bramley

11st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield

11/4

1st

6

1st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

14:43 Wetherby

Mr Bramley

11st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield

11/4

12/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 4-8356 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
He's 6lb lower than when completing a four-timer in November 2023 and has run fair races across his last three starts, but this 9yo will need something extra if he's to return to winning ways now back up in grade.
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: 1-4211 C

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who rallied to win at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November on his third hurdle start and easily followed up here (2m6f, good to soft) in December when odds-on; begins handicap life on a fair mark and he's in excellent hands to continue to improve; key player.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 11-62U C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row here early last year (2m6f, soft) and built upon his fair reappearance sixth here (2m6f, good to soft) when going close at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in January; early unseat at Haydock a fortnight ago; we may not yet have seen the best of this lightly raced 8yo, who is one to consider.
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: 416315 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who scored by 6l at Hexham (2m4f, soft) in December on his third hurdle start and looked a threat jumping two out in a Grade 2 novice at Haydock (3m, good to soft) a fortnight ago, fading into fifth of six; interesting contender now back down in trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Joecooker

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-6 over fences but gave very good account when third in valuable series final over C&D (good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last month and has been dropped 1lb since; big player if new headgear continues to help.

5/1

3rd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Joecooker

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed twice in a row in December (2m4f/2m3f, soft/good to soft) and had an excuse (hampered) at Newcastle in January; heavy ground may have been against him here last time and he's not discounted now in cheekpieces.

10/1

4th

5

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 3

15:35 Kelso

Joecooker

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Rebecca Menzies

Placed off this mark in two handicap chases in December (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft); hampered four out when fifth of seven to Moon Phases at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last time; might not be far away.

6/1

Form: 134-37 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced since winning two novice hurdles in late 2023 (2m4f/2m5f, heavy/soft); fair third of five over fences at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) and he shaped when back over hurdles at Haydock (3m, soft) last time as though this drop back in trip may help; not written off but others are more compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Inox Allen

10st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Easily made all in first-time visor over C&D (good to soft) last April; hard to fancy on his three runs this term but, given his previous reaction to new headgear, it's possible cheekpieces will garner a positive response.

9/1

7th

2

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

16:11 Musselburgh

Inox Allen

11st 6lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Easily made all in first-time visor (retained since) at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) last April and he stays this far; however, pulled up/tailed off on his two outings this season and needs to turn things around.

14/1

Form: 3/322P D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Third here (2m6f, soft) in December when back from a long absence and went close at Ayr (3m, soft) the next twice; unsuited by the return to fences here a fortnight ago and could be in the mix now back over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

29th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:13 Ayr

Gaillimh A Stor

11st 3lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Went close in this last year (soft) and now 10lb lower; however, this 10yo has struggled to get competitive since, most recently over C&D (soft) four weeks ago following wind surgery; a visor replaces cheekpieces.

25/1

6

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:40 Ayr

Gaillimh A Stor

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, hampered then in touch with leaders 1st, dropped to last after 6th, detached when pulled up before 7th

14/1

6

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 3

14:40 Ayr

Gaillimh A Stor

11st 9lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, hampered then in touch with leaders 1st, dropped to last after 6th, detached when pulled up before 7th

14/1

Form: -510P3 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who made all here (2m6f, soft) in December and bounced back from two disappointing runs when third here (2m6f, soft) a fortnight ago; however, he's back up in grade today and needs a bigger run.
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: 2/75-8 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Runner-up twice in a row at Cheltenham in autumn 2022 and well treated on that form; however, he wasn't at his best on two starts last season and returned from another absence with a heavy defeat at 40-1 at Newbury this January; major turnaround needed in first-time headgear combination.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

15:30 Plumpton

Fontana Ellissi

11st 3lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Lightly raced in recent years and remains without a win since 2022; always behind when 33-1 for seasonal debut at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in December and needs addition of blinkers to aid a revival.

14/1

3rd

4

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Fontana Ellissi

10st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Well handicapped on his Cheltenham seconds (2m4f/3m) in late 2022; lightly raced in the meantime and he was still travelling with some purpose when slipping up before two out in a Class 2 handicap at Kelso a month ago (2m5f; in this first-time headgear combination); respected.

13/2

10

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

14:20 Kelso

Fontana Ellissi

10st 8lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Samuel Drinkwater

Runner-up twice in a row at Cheltenham in autumn 2022 and well treated on that form; however, he wasn't at his best on two starts last season and returned from another absence with a heavy defeat at 40-1 at Newbury this January; major turnaround needed in first-time headgear combination.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.00
Straight Forecast £38.20
Tricast £214.19
Trifecta £232.30

Selections

Daily Mail:

Ace Of Spades

POSTDATA:

Nab Wood

SPOTLIGHT:

Joecooker

RP RATINGS:

Bold Light

D Express:

Inox Allen

Daily Mirror:

Mr Bramley

The Guardian:

Young Jack

The Sun:

Ace Of Spades

Daily Record:

Ace Of Spades

The Times:

Nab Wood

The Star:

Nab Wood

Telegraph:

Joecooker

TOPSPEED:

Bold Light