The Cheltenham Festival is a distant memory, and although many have yet to come to terms with some of the mind-blowing results, today we get a chance to reset and go again.
Today, Kelso hosts a seven-race card on the final day of their mares series, which promises to be highly entertaining.
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Kelso 1:15 Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing’ Handicap Chase – 3m2f (5yo+)
Mr Incredible’s form of 2URPURR doesn’t inspire confidence, but if he were to be on his best behaviour, there is no doubt he has more than enough talent to take care of this field, but that is a huge if. If you plan on betting on him, wait until he jumps off at the start and back him in running.
The current favourite Dare To Shout has been going through a spell of seconditus, having finished second in five of his last six runs, but he managed to squeeze a win in there. Even so, he is there to be taken on, and I will take him on with PULL AGAIN GREEN.
The Fergal O’Brien-trained gelding is back down to a mark that saw him chase home Chianti Classico last season and third to Kinondo Kwetu at the beginning of this season. This will be his first run since December 14th, but he has consistently run well on the back of a break. More importantly, he gets his preferred good ground.
- Selection: Pull Again Green 4/1
- Danger: Dare To Shout 6/4
- Current Betting: Dare To Shout 6/4, Cadell 4/1, Pull Again Green 4/1, Your Own Story 5/1, Mr Incredible 9/1.
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Kelso 1:50 Listed Ladbrokes ‘Big-Value You Can Bet On’ Mares’ Hurdle – 3m½f (5yo+)
Another small field awaits us for the second race, but this can be straightforward for the front-running WYENOT.
She has been in terrific form this season, racking up two wins, one at Cheltenham’s October meeting and one in a Listed mares hurdle at Doncaster in December. She got outclassed when she stepped up into Grade 2 company last time, finishing third to Jetara at Doncaster. However, the drop back into listed level here should see her return to winning ways today.
If Gale Mahler were to rediscover the form that saw her win six in a row, including a win at this level at the Galway Festival, then she would prove to be a big danger to the favourite.
- Selection: Wyenot 1/1
- Danger: Gale Mahler 11/2
- Current Betting: Wyenot 1/1, Ottizzini 9/2, Gale Mahler 11/2, Sacre Coeur 7/1, Lavida Adiva 8/1, My Lady Elektra 66/1.
Kelso 2:25 Ladbrokes Go North Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle – 2m5f (4yo+)
By far the trickiest of the seven races on offer today, where a chance is taken that I AM MAX can make up for two back-to-back narrow defeats. He was denied victory by a head last time, where he and the winner pulled eight lengths clear of the third, but has been hit with a five-pound rise in the weights.
That rise does seem a bit harsh, but this lightly raced seven-year-old is in a rich vein of form, and it’s hard not to see him not fighting out the finish once again over his ideal trip.
The Jeweller’s Pet comes here seeking a hat-trick of wins, but he will find this much more difficult than his last assignment. However, he is at the peak of his powers right now, and further improvement from this versatile gelding is not out of the question.
Sayva and Ashington are also ones to note.
- Selection: I Am Max 5/1 (e/w)
- Danger: The Jeweller’s Pet 11/1
- Current Betting: Ballyfort 9/2, I Am Max 5/1, Nordic Tiger 6/1, Achanmara 7/1, Harper Valley 10/1, Ashington 10/1, 11/1 bar.
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Kelso 3:00 Ladbrokes Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m (4yo+)
This mares’ final promises to be a cracking contest, with many of the field in top form coming here. Tour Ovalie makes a quick reappearance since her respectable ninth in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and if she shows no ill effects of that run, she is entitled to go close.
Wind surgery did the trick for Northern Air, who got off the mark at the fourth time of asking at Taunton last time. She is also a massive contender here, but she may have to fight it out for a minor role behind top-weight SURREY BELLE.
The Adrian Keatley-trained five-year-old was a 76-rated performer on the flat but has made a cracking start to her hurdling career, winning two of her four starts over hurdles, winning the latest by 57 lengths.
Surrey Belle has much more room for improvement, and this strong traveller could prove difficult to pass despite having to carry top-weight.
- Selection: Surrey Belle 5/1
- Danger: Northern Air 11/2
- Current Betting: Surrey Belle 5/1, Walkadina 6/1, Northern Air 11/2, Barrabool 6/1, Game Colours 7/1, Lizzie Luna 9/1, 10/1 bar.
Bet on Surrey Belle with bet365
Kelso 3:35 Ladbrokes ‘Boost Your Bet Builder’ Handicap Chase – 2m1f (5yo+ 0-120)
Bar the favourite Flash Du Postolet, the rest of the five runners could be lining up in a veteran’s chase soon enough. That said, there may well be enough life left in the old legs of six-time winner BOLLINGERANDKRUG.
The last of those six wins came off a 12-pound lower mark, and his latest run over course and distance hinted that a return to form is just around the corner. Now that he is dropping into 0-120 company, he may be able to capitalise on a much-reduced mark on a course we know he thrives at.
Gold Des Bois finished ahead of Bollingerandkrug when they last met, but there is a big swing in the weights in favour of the Lucinda Russell ten-year-old should see him finish in front of him here.
- Selection: Bollingerandkrug 4/1
- Danger: Flash Du Pistolet 11/4
- Current Betting: Flash Du Pistolet 11/4, Escapeandevade 7/2, Bollingerandkrug 4/1, Gold Des Bois 9/2, Lively Citizen 13/2, Duty Calls 18/1.
Bet on Bollingerandkrug with Paddy Power
Kelso 4:10 Ladbrokes ‘Get Rewarded With Ladbucks’ Novices’ Hurdle – 2m5f (4yo+)
He may have been turned over as favourite last time at this track over slightly further, but ROCHEVAL can return to winning ways here.
Rocheval has already secured three wins in his five career stats to date (one bumper win and two hurdle wins), and you can forgive him his heavy defeat in Grade 2 company, where he was simply out of his depth. A two-pound rise awaits him here from his latest second, but given that he still looks to have improvement in him, top weight may not be enough to stop him from going well once again.
Joecooker would be interesting if he could overcome two heavy defeats. Point-to-point winner Tell The Tale is one to watch in the betting for Neil Mulholland.
- Selection: Rocheval
- Danger: Malicash
- Current Betting: N/A
Kelso 4:45 Racing Post Go North Jodami Series Final Open National Hunt Flat Race – 2m (4-6yo)
Patrick Mullins makes the trip over from Ireland to take the ride on the fancied Kiwi Rush for Harry Derham and he has every chance of making the trip worthwhile.
But the Lucinda Russell-trained HUMBLE JUMBLE made a taking impression when winning on debut, easily beating last time out winner Beyond The Verge.
He made all the running that day and did well to pick out and go away at the finish once the penny dropped. There is a lot more to come from this four-year-old, and if he shows expected improvement, he can prove to be hard to pass at the business end.
- Selection: Humble Jumble
- Danger: Kiwi Rush
- Current Betting: N/A
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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