Racecards
14:00 Kelso
Fiona Gillie 40th Birthday 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Mickey Croke
21- Form 3FP2-13
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey F King
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon one pace
- Form 054/346-
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
held up in touch, head to lead after 2 out, headed run-in, one pace under pressure
Em's Royalty
337- Form 3/3-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer A Parker
- Jockey D C Costello
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 200-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
in touch, brief effort after 3 out, no extra from 2 out
Indy Mood
37- Form 0516-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs H Graham
- Jockey C Eddery
tracked leader, effort 2 out, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on
- Form 31/0F-PP
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer W Young
- Jockey T Davidson
led, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form PP-4PP3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Mrs C Kerr
- Jockey A Ross
behind, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Mazzareme (IRE)
175- Form 3-4
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey B P Harding
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 4 out, effort when mistake next, soon one pace
- Form 00/0-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey P Buchanan
towards rear, headway 7th, effort 3 out, soon weakened
Hello Baby
14- Form 6325-0
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer A Whillans
- Jockey K Renwick
towards rear, never dangerous
Alba Rose
146- Form 0-6
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer J Billinge
- Jockey P Aspell
towards rear, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Celta Vigo (IRE)
309- Form 0RP-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs L Normile
- Jockey D Flavin
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
Lady Janal
183- Form 35030-5
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Miss S Forster
- Jockey Mr C Storey
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Mickey Croke caught a tartar when third behind the potentially useful Knowhere at Hexham last time and looks worth another chance in lesser company today in a race where Em's Royalty and Emperor's Monarch provide the main opposition. The selection made a winning return when landing a maiden hurdle at Perth in August and lost no caste in defeat at Hexham. This looks an easier assignment and Martin Todhunter's gelding is taken to resume winning ways. Em's Royalty has shown promise in both starts so far and is less exposed than many of these. He is preferred to Newcastle bumper winner Indy Mood, who ran with credit when finding just Ardashir too good on his hurdling debut at Perth last month. Emperor's Monarch twice filled the runners up spot in bumpers and is interesting on his debut over timber, while the Nicky Richards-trained Mazzareme may be better than he has shown so far. Stablemate Glenmoss Rosy is nicely bred but lacks experience and of more interest may be Richard Fahey's Ball O Malt, who has plenty of experience but is becoming exposed. The vote though goes to Mickey Croke, who is taken to bounce back to winning ways having been outclassed last time.