UK Horse Racing Tips: Kelso

POGUE was held in high regard by Donald McCain last year and could claim a first victory under Rules, with the Cheshire-based handler set to enjoy a better campaign after an eventful 2018/19 season. The six-year-old would prove tough to stop if running to his official rating of 115, and can account for Getaway Gerry, who was second in a similar C&D event 20 days ago. Highway Companion is also noted now wearing a hood for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Pogue 2nd Getaway Gerry 3rd Highway Companion

AN FEAR CIUIN was a 40-1 second on his chasing debut here last month and is fancied to take another positive step forward in what appears to be a winnable event. The eight-year-old isn't really bred for fences, but jumped well enough 38 days ago and shouldn't fear anything in this field. Benny's Secret has placed form in this sphere and scored here over hurdles in April, while Mah Mate Bob is worth noting back from a 203-day absence.
Prediction : 1st An Fear Ciuin 2nd Bennys Secret 3rd Mah Mate Bob

KATALYSTIC shrugged off a four-month absence to land the spoils at Perth last month and is expected to build on those exertions for Lucinda Russell. A 9lb rise has since followed, but the eight-year-old is going in the right direction and seemingly got on well with 5lb claimer Thomas Willmott last time out. Stablemate Prince Dundee has found one too good on the last three occasions and may have to settle for silver again, while Skyhill, second here last time, should appreciate this extra yardage.
Prediction : 1st Katalystic 2nd Prince Dundee 3rd Skyhill

One For Arthur returned to form at his beloved Aintree when sixth in the Grand National in April and should enjoy another solid spin here on reappearance, while Sue Smith's pair of Vintage Clouds and Sharp Response are likely to need their respective first outings given that the West Yorkshire-based handler hasn't had a winner over jumps from her last 44 runners. It isn't an original pick, but BLUE FLIGHT may prove tough to stop. Fourth in the Scottish National and a Listed winner here over fences, the six-year-old can take this and enjoy another fruitful campaign.
Prediction : 1st Blue Flight 2nd Vintage Clouds 3rd One For Arthur

DIEU BENISSE shaped better than the result suggests when fifth over C&D on her first outing for Philip Kirby since leaving Nicky Henderson. On her form for the Seven Barrows handler, she appears to have a workable rating and can improve plenty from her return. The Herds Garden can enter the reckoning on his course success last month, while Think Ahead and Gennady can fight it out for the minor money.
Prediction : 1st Dieu Benisse 2nd The Herds Garden 3rd Think Ahead

Vengeur De Guye won at this level at Bangor two starts ago and the past course scorer must enter calculations on his return from a 280-day break, but preference is for LAS TUNAS from further down the weights. He stopped worryingly fast over hurdles at Perth when last sighted, suggesting something was amiss, and can easily be given another chance on his chasing return, the sphere in which he won back-to-back at Wetherby in March/April. Last year's winner Middlebrow also deserves a mention.
Prediction : 1st Las Tunas 2nd Vengeur De Guye 3rd Middlebrow

Chocolat Noir has won two of her last three starts and looks sure to give another good account, but the hat-trick seeking COURT BALOO could have her measure in receipt of 15lb. Alistair Whillans' charge has impressively notched a Hexham double and won with enough in hand most recently to suggest that he can defy a further 6lb rise in the ratings. Aptly Put, sporting first-time cheekpieces, makes up the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Court Baloo 2nd Chocolat Noir 3rd Aptly Put

Trapper Peak has won each of his four starts so far this year and won't give up on the five-timer without a fight, but MURPHY'S LAW could stamp his class on this race. He was a five-length winner when last running over timber (August) and backed up a September chase success when third in the same sphere at Sedgefield last time. With top conditional jockey Danny McMenamin booked to ride on his return to hurdling duty, he looks sure to go close. Handicap debutants Lord Roccoco and Get Help are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Murphys Law 2nd Trapper Peak 3rd Lord Roccoco