Racecards
13:50 Kelso
SIS Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (Class E )
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 6613
- Age 4
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer Jedd O'Keeffe
- Jockey B P Harding
led, ridden and headed after last, rallied to lead again final 100 yards
- Form 15
- Age 4
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
tracked winner, ridden to lead after last, headed final 100 yards, no extra
Aston Lad
63- Form 4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey A Dobbin
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, outpaced next
Blue Rising
20- Form 604
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey B Walsh
towards rear, headway and in touch approaching 4 out, effort next, outpaced when mistake 2 out
Fortino
36- Form 00
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss S E Forster
- Jockey Mr C Storey
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
- Form 03
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey N Mulholland
pulled hard, headway 4th to track leading pair, effort 3 out, weakened next
- Form P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
always behind
Torkin Wind
24- Form PU
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey G Thomas
mid-division, weakened 4 out
- Form 0F
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs B K Thomson
- Jockey T Greenway
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 60
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
towards rear, never dangerous
Teviotino
23- Form 0P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer W Amos
- Jockey P Buchanan
mid-division, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
In depth
Verdict
Regal Setting was readily beaten by Yankeedoodledandy at Cheltenham last time but may be worth another chance on the evidence of his previous form at Catterick, with Habitual Dancer and Nerone rated the main dangers. The selection was unexposed on the level after just five races but still won a couple of middle distance handicaps for Sir Mark Prescott. Howard Johnson's gelding was sent off the 2/1 favourite at Cheltenham on the basis of his debut effort and previous flat form and it has to be believed that the son of King's Theatre is better than he showed at Prestbury Park. Jedd O'Keefe's Habitual Dancer was not as good as the selection on the level but is already making up into a better hurdler and could hardly have won his novice hurdle at Newcastle more impressively. Not disgraced in a better race at Chepstow in the mud last time, he has to be respected and rates a bigger threat than Micky Hammond's Aston Lad who should improve on his second start over timber. Blue Rising has shown enough to suggest that he can pick up a small prize but of more interest is Nerone. Peter Monteith's gelding was lightly raced on the flat in Germany and, partly because he is owned by David Johnson, was made a 13/8 favourite for his hurdling debut at Newcastle. Strictly held by Habitual Dancer on running that day, Nerone is undoubtedly better than he showed that day, as his latest start over course and distance confirms and he has to be respected. However, Regal Setting may be different class to these and he gets the vote.
Formwatch
Habitual Dancer 33-1 Soon led, headed 2nd, prominent, outpaced 4 out, stayed on approaching last, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Phar Bleu at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (A) hvy in Dec.
Regal Setting (IRE) 2-1fav In touch, mistake 5th, headway approaching next, ridden after 2 out, weakened quickly, 5th of 8, 31l behind Yankeedoodledandy at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Dec.
Aston Lad 18-1 Held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 14l behind Pay Attention at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Blue Rising 40-1 Mid-division, pushed along when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, 4th of 12, 16l behind Diamond Mick at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Fortino 150-1 Aways towards rear, tailed off from 5th, 9th of 12, well behind Mount Vettore at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gf in Dec.
Nerone (GER) 9-1 Pulled hard in rear, headway 4 out, effort 2 out, not quicken, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Diamond Mick at Kelso 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Seafire Lad (IRE) 100-1 Behind from halfway, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Habitual Dancer at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Dec, 19 ran.
Starmix 9-2 Held up, always in rear, 8th of 10, 14l behind Treason Trial at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo clm (F) gf in Aug (Flat).
Torkin Wind 100-1 Mid-division, dropped rear halfway, stumbled and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Vic The Piler at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Ciacole 66-1 Tracked leaders, in 3rd and weakening when fell 3 out in race won by Iron Man at Ayr 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Private Jessica 125-1 Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 16, well behind Karelian at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) gd in Jan.