Racecards
17:05 Kelso
Tennents Velvet Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
Minivet
10- Form 3-01133
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey Mr A Tinkler
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on well flat to lead close home
- Form 14P6P0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
held up in rear, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 031230-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Ian Emmerson
- Jockey M Bradburne
towards rear, never dangerous
Fishki's Lad
25- Form P-21302
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
led, mistake 4 out, headed next, every chance 2 out, one paced approaching last
- Form 236032
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Charlton
- Jockey B Gibson
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
Santa Lucia
20- Form 1-04233
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, driven and effort next, one paced under pressure
- Form 200443
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
in touch, headway 4 out, effort 3 out, outpaced next
Benefit
23- Form 43P2F1
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer Miss L Siddall
- Jockey T Siddall
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 7th, weakened 4 out
- Form 24-6306
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey R Utley
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 4361P2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey P Aspell
mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on same pace flat
- Form P44P0P
- Age 10
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer Mrs J McGregor
- Jockey P Robson
in touch, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after 4 out
- Form 460005
- Age 9
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer F Storey
- Jockey B P Harding
with leader, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, edged right and headed close home
- Form 62F60P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer J Billinge
- Jockey S Durack
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 7th
In depth
Verdict
Not as competitive a finale as perhaps it first looks and this appears to be a good opportunity for Fishki's Lad to get back to winning ways. Ed Tuer's gelding goes well on a sound surface and would have finished a lot closer to the winner at Hexham last time had he had his conditions. He gets them here and after dropping down the weights, despite still having to put up a career best effort, Graham Lee can get him in front here. Minivet is a capable sort who also needs to produce a career best to land this, but after a couple of good wins he might just be in the handicapper's grip again and may have to settle with another effort in the frame. The same can be said of Tobesure, who has been knocking on the door recently, but has now started to go back up the weights as a result. Santa Lucia is consistent if nothing else, but a little one-paced, while Benefit looks to have a big task after a 7lb rise for his latest win. Of the remainder, Lady Lap Dancer is open to improvement and she could emerge as the selection's biggest danger off a feather weight.