Racecards
15:25 Kelso
Willow Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 23121
- Age 6
- Weight 12-3
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey D Da Silva
held up, outpaced 6th, headway to go prominent 3 out, no impression approaching last
- Form U2-4211
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
led to 4th, led again approaching 6th, clear 2 out, rider dropped whip flat, pushed out
Scotmail (IRE)
103- Form 444-411
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
Witch Wind
76- Form 110-267
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 108
always behind, ridden and struggling from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 69F242
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 105
prominent, ridden 3 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace, no impression
- Form 802215
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey M Bradburne
tracked leaders and not fluent, ridden and lost place from 3rd, never dangerous after
- Form 643-513
- Age 5
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer J R Turner
- Jockey C Sharkey
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed approaching 6th, one pace, no impression after 2 out
- Form 04361
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer Mrs A F Tullie
- Jockey D C Costello
always behind, reminders and struggling after 5th
Buffy
9- Form 0-05355
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer B Mactaggart
- Jockey N Mulholland
held up in touch, mistake 2nd, ridden 6th, soon weakened
- Form 8P4623
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 103
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Scotmail , First Look and Harmony Brig look the three to concentrate on in this novices hurdle and the vote is given to the last named. The selection won well last time out when beating First Look and although that rival is better off at the weights here he won with a shade in hand and he is taken to confirm his superiority over him. First Look is sure to have his supporters especially as this faster ground will also suit but the lacks the scope of the selection and for that reason is opposed. Scotmail is another worthy of respect as he also won with plenty in hand last time when beating Cloudy Lane but this looks more competitive and he will need to have improved again to win this. Of the remainder Boris The Spider is another last time out winner with place claims but all his best form is on soft and with this in mind for the winner we return to Harmony Brig
Formwatch
First Look (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, clear from next, hit last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft beating Aston Lad (11-5) by 5l, 9 ran.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Led, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again last, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (5) sft in Feb beating First Look (11-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Scotmail (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Raced wide, with leader, led 3 out, ridden and hit last, kept on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec beating Cloudy Lane (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Witch Wind 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind According To John (11-4) at Ayr 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bollin Thomas 5-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Boris The Spider (11-7) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 24l behind Euro American (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Air of Affection 9-4fav (11-3) Chased winner, hit 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Glory Be (10-10) at Leicester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec.
More Likely 9-2 (10-4) In touch, outpaced 5th, soon ridden, rallied to lead last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft beating Lord Collingwood (11-2) by 7l, 17 ran.
Buffy 9-2 (11-2) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 32l behind Boris The Spider (11-7) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Lethem Air 13-2 (10-12) Led, hit 4 out, headed next, one pace, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Love That Benny (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Boris The Spider 4-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out, won at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Bollin Thomas (11-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.