April 20 / 16.00 Kelso

16.00

Good

Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4752.9
  • 2m 2f 25y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 44P464

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 4yo who is likely to have entered a few notebooks after last month's handicap debut at Wetherby (2m, good to soft), where he kept on steadily from the rear for a never-dangerous fourth; moves up in trip here; watch the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Big Love

10st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Unexposed 4yo who is likely to have entered a few notebooks after last month's handicap debut at Wetherby (2m, good to soft), where he kept on steadily from the rear for a never-dangerous fourth; moves up in trip here; watch the betting.

5/2

4th

10

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Big Love

10st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

His claims aren't compelling on what he's achieved on his three hurdle starts but he's not been devoid of ability and today's handicap debut at least provides him with a more realistic chance; watch the betting.

10/1

6th

7

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Big Love

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Michael & David Easterby

4yo who didn't run badly when fourth at 100-1 over C&D (soft) last month on second hurdle start but he's yet to make a serious impact across his first four starts and looks set for another supporting role.

100/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 13-46P

Last run: 112 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Absent since ending 2025 with two disappointing efforts but resumes on a good mark and has fairly good record when fresh; could be dangerous if first-time visor has desired effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Parisian Fashion

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Absent since ending 2025 with two disappointing efforts but resumes on a good mark and has fairly good record when fresh; could be dangerous if first-time visor has desired effect.

8/1

3rd

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:22 Perth

Parisian Fashion

11st 1lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Irish point winner; showed promise in a warm Haydock race on hurdle debut and produced her best effort yet when making all at Newcastle (2m4f, good) last month; has potential at this level for the first time.

6/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 6-0460

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Ended 2025 with two respectable efforts at Carlisle (2m1f/2m3f, soft) but was soundly beaten there on latest outing in February (raced too freely) and has now been unplaced all four starts for current stable; sports refitted hood and first-time tongue-tie here; others look safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:48 Perth

Interchangeable

10st 4lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

Naas winner (2m4f maiden hurdle) for Stuart Crawford in December 2024; 0-6 for this trainer, beaten 25l at Hexham (2m, good; 9-1) six weeks ago; mark continues to slide, now 11lb lower than three starts back; others are more obvious.

25/1

6th

1

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Interchangeable

12st 0lb

J: Mr John Dixon

T: John Dixon

0-5 for current stable since the autumn but seemingly aided by refitted hood and/or first-time tongue-tie when respectable third at Kelso (2m2f, good) last month and has dropped another 3lb since.

14/1

Form: 4P2662

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles and has rather mixed record this season but ran big race in defeat at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 16 days ago and has obvious claims if in the right mood again here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

13th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Gonnino

11st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Gary Rutherford

Maiden (0-12); runner-up three times, including when chasing home Belvedere Bhoy at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) early last month; took a sharp backward step at Kelso subsequently, so it's tough to have confidence; added cheekpieces may eke out a fraction more.

13/2

4th

5

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Gonnino

11st 4lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Gary Rutherford

0-8 over hurdles and has rather mixed record this season but ran big race in defeat at Carlisle (2m3f, good to soft) 16 days ago and has obvious claims if in the right mood again here.

9/2

2nd

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

14:23 Carlisle

Gonnino

11st 10lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Gary Rutherford

Lacked fluency on last month's chasing debut and now quickly reverts to hurdling; has claims if judged on his second off today's mark at Musselburgh (1m7f, soft) in December but his record is rather mixed.

12/1

Form: 405

Last run: 143 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Showed only minor promise in three novice/maiden hurdles (1m7f-2m) last September-November but was useful on the Flat in his prime and may yet transfer more of that ability to this code; wears first-time tongue-tie for handicap hurdle debut; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:16 Perth

Struth

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Former smart Flat horse who is 0-6 over hurdles and was beaten a little under 10l on handicap debut here a month ago; he was boxing on over 2m and this longer trip could bring him on (stayed well on the Flat).

8/1

6th

1

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:42 Perth

Struth

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but well held when fifth on handicap hurdle debut at Kelso (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and showed no significant improvement in a subsequent C&D maiden; needs to up his game.

20/1

6th

8

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:58 Perth

Struth

11st 5lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but has yet to better fair form over hurdles, weakening into a well-held fifth on 2m2f Kelso handicap debut in this sphere 24 days ago; might have needed that after a break but he's still hard to make a good case for.

20/1

Form: 443444

Last run: 66 days

W: 10st 8lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
0-22 on the Flat and 0-7 over hurdles; sold out of Matt Crawley's stable for 3,400gns after well-held fourth at Fakenham (2m, soft) in February but ought to be better suited by the forecast faster ground here, and could plausibly have been perked up by her new regime.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:35 Cartmel

Alvesta

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Came from off the pace to win C&D (good) selling handicap for George Bewley in May, her tenth hurdling start, and also ran well when third here (2m6f, good) on last month's stable debut; this drop back in trip is probably the right move; ought to make her presence felt.

11/4

3rd

9

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Alvesta

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

Having her 32nd career start when finally off the mark in a selling handicap over 2m1f here recently (good); only 4lb higher and new trainer James Moffatt has booked Brian Hughes; has to be of interest despite blatant stamina reservations.

8/1

Form: 31F-PP

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Still has low mileage and will be suited by today's forecast good ground but, following a long absence, has been pulled up on both outings this year; needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Highly Recommended

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Still has low mileage and will be suited by today's forecast good ground but, following a long absence, has been pulled up on both outings this year; needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces.

66/1

2

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

14:15 Carlisle

Highly Recommended

11st 13lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Dianne Sayer

Lightly raced 7yo; won well on final start for previous yard but has failed to complete in both runs for new stable; big question mark over current form.

25/1

4

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

14:30 Kelso

Highly Recommended

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Dianne Sayer

All five starts on good ground; won novice hurdle at Ludlow (2m5f) in October 2024 for Mel Rowley; beaten when falling at final hurdle on handicap debut at Ayr (2m4f) the following month; absent since; a market check is advised on his return but there's a suspicion he's best watched.

20/1

Form: P-8P48

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Disappointing 7yo who has been soundly beaten in three chases this year and now reverts to hurdling; usual cheekpieces left off today; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Ozzy Cosmo

11st 0lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Disappointing 7yo who has been soundly beaten in three chases this year and now reverts to hurdling; usual cheekpieces left off today; needs to turn a corner.

16/1

8th

3

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

Ozzy Cosmo

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: N W Alexander

Yet to win in six runs over fences, and hasn't been at his best so far this season; bit to prove at present.

20/1

Form: 1/P D

Last run: 109 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer who won a juvenile event on hurdling debut in 2023 but was not seen again over jumps until pulled up in Catterick handicap on stable debut in January; current ability in this sphere remains hard to gauge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

17:22 Kelso

Gozo

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Andrew Hamilton

A fair hurdles winner (also fair on Flat) for Ben Brookhouse; pulled up on his first two runs for current yard at Catterick and here this year though and he also came in last of eight on the Flat for R Mike Smith three weeks ago; very hard to warm to.

33/1

8th

2

(3)

3rd May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 5

17:35 Hamilton

Gozo

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Gormley

T: R Mike Smith

Well handicapped on Flat form for Ben Brookhouse in early part of 2025, but pulled up in two handicap hurdles when owner-trained this year; now in the care of Mike Smith for Flat return; others have much less to prove.

20/1

8

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Gozo

10st 13lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Andrew Hamilton

Fair Flat racer who won a juvenile event on hurdling debut in 2023 but was not seen again over jumps until pulled up in Catterick handicap on stable debut in January; current ability in this sphere remains hard to gauge.

16/1

Form: -PPP7P

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Unexposed after only five hurdle runs but was pulled up on last month's handicap debut, having refused to settle; might be more relaxed without blinkers (worn for last three races) here but still looks too risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Ellistrin Bay

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Donald Whillans

Unexposed after only five hurdle runs but was pulled up on last month's handicap debut, having refused to settle; might be more relaxed without blinkers (worn for last three races) here but still looks too risky.

33/1

9

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle

Ellistrin Bay

11st 1lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Donald Whillans

Third of five in a bumper last April; triple-figure odds for all four starts over hurdles and pulled up on first three; while 35l seventh of 11 at Kelso (2m, heavy) on latest was better, with tongue-tie added to blinkers, others clearly bring more solid claims to his handicap debut today.

16/1

Non-runners

The Best Way

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.40
Straight Forecast £12.98
Tricast £86.29
Trifecta £121.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

Big Love

SPOTLIGHT:

The Best Way

RP RATINGS:

Gonnino

D Express:

Struth

Daily Mail:

Parisian Fashion

The Sun:

Gozo

Daily Record:

Gonnino

The Times:

Big Love

The Guardian:

Big Love

Daily Mirror:

Struth

Telegraph:

The Best Way

The Star:

The Best Way