Racecards
12:40 Kelso
John Milligan/matty Clark 'nh' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added
- Form 09-80
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J S Haldane
- Jockey N Mulholland
behind, ridden after 7th, soon beaten
- Form 8/000-65
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer James Moffatt
- Jockey A Dempsey
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden from next and no impression
- Form FPU-P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs L Williamson
- Jockey K Mercer
tracked leaders, lost touch from 6th, pulled up before next
Contendo
196- Form 70-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey P Buchanan
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 7th, pulled up before last
- Form 223-PPP
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs C J Kerr
- Jockey D Da Silva
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden from next, soon weakened
- Form P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer E J Jamieson
- Jockey K Renwick
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next
Spivitus
14- Form 64247
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Nixon
- Jockey Mr M Ellwood
towards rear, ridden 7th, kept on from 2 out, hung left and no impression run-in
- Form 1-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
in touch, smooth headway to lead 8th, driven out and soon clear, eased run-in
- Form 30-1
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey T J Dreaper
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner from next, one pace run-in
- Form 2D3163/
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer H P Hogarth
- Jockey D O'Meara
led, hit 5th, headed 7th, soon ridden and weakened
Witch Wind
20- Form 0/267P-9
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 105
mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened from next
Buffy
20- Form 5585-F0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer B Mactaggart
- Jockey Stephen Craine
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 7th, headed next, soon ridden, one pace
Jayenar
14- Form 0-0P
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer W Coltherd
- Jockey P Aspell
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, reminders after 5th, close up 7th until ridden and weakened approaching 8th, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
Somedo Somedont. Top Cloud and Spivitus are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Top Cloud. The selection won well over course and distance last time out when beating First Cry with a little in hand he again has conditions to suit and with his yard continuing in good form he looks the one to be on. Some Do Some Dont rates the main danger on his latest second behind Hockemhiem but tjhat was in a chase and he looks vulnerable back over hurdles over this trip,. Spivitus is another that could go well on his best form but he dissapointed for no apparent reason last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence. Two Tonys Sham showed enough when last seen to suggest he could win a race of this nature but he may need the run after a 738 day abscence. Of the remainder The Whisperer is a well bred type from a yard in form a should bne noted in the market but for the winners we return to Top Cloud.
Formwatch
Browneyes Blue (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Close up, led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 13, 34l behind Pass The Class (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Spivitus 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 37l behind Smart Street (10-7) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
The Whisperer (IRE) (12-0) Going easily, led after halfway, drew clear, won at Templemore 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Treasury Chief (12-0) by 8l, 13 ran.
Top Cloud (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden to chase leader after last, stayed on gamely to lead close home, won at Kelso 2m 6f cnd nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating First Cry (10-11) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Two Tonys Sham (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and badly outpaced after 3 out, headway approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, nearest at finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Dark Ben (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct '04.
Witch Wind 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 25l behind Front Rank (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Buffy 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 33l behind Red Scally (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Somedo Somedont 6-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort under pressure next, stayed on to chase winner last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Hockenheim (10-12) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.