Racecards
15:30 Kelso
Ssafa Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
Circassian (IRE)
102- Form 5-24P55
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey P J Brennan
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, rallied to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat
Saif Sareea
60- Form 8-35390
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey Miss R Davidson
made all, drew clear between last 2, stayed on strongly
- Form 13-324F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer Micky Hammond
- Jockey K Renwick
not fluent in rear, ridden approaching 4 out, no further progress
- Form 414532
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer R Nixon
- Jockey Mr M Ellwood
in touch, headway halfway to chase leaders, outpaced 3 out
- Form 353724
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
chased winner until approaching 2 out, one pace after
- Form 13-66
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey B P Harding
held up in rear, headway after 4 out to chase leaders, weakened 2 out
In depth
Verdict
The shortlisted three are Circassian, Culcabock and Saif Sareea, with the selection being Circassian. Today's better going could see Circassian in a better light than in most previous starts this season and he has to be considered today; don't forget, he was running with credit in Graded events last spring. Hush Tiger has been raised for some good recent efforts without winning and, if he is equally effective on today's quicker going, could go well, while Saif Sareea and Industrial Star maybe would have had to have shown more from their current ratings to be given strong winning chances.Culcabock probably falls into the same category but also holds place claims, and Nevsky Bridge would hold claims on his promise of just over a year ago and has at least had a pipe-opener since then to help things along. Overall, though, the vote stays with Circassian.
Formwatch
Circassian (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 7, 29l behind Smoothly Does It (9-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Saif Sareea 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, effort when hit 6th, soon hampered on home bend, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 13th of 15, 33l behind Bogus Dreams (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Industrial Star (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) In touch when fell in race won by Double Vodka (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Hush Tiger 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led after last, caught close home, 2nd of 16, shd behind Pee Jay's Dream (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Culcabock (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Mid-division, blundered 4 out, rallied next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 14l behind Silver Sedge (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Nevsky Bridge 9-2 (11-4) In touch, close order 4th, weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 8, well behind Bollin Ruth (10-2) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.