UK Horse Racing Tips: Kelso

Well Educated scored with ease at Hexham last time but a 9lb rise, coupled with the fact that he has never won away from the Northumberland venue, probably makes him worth taking on at forecast cramped odds. The Navigator, a winner over 2m5f here last month, is one alternative, but dual course winner BOLLINGERANDKRUG has gone well fresh in the past and looks well treated considering he scored off an 11lb higher mark last year.
Prediction : 1st Bollingerandkrug 2nd Well Educated 3rd The Navigator

Not a strong race and seemingly an opportunity for PAVLIK to make it third-time lucky over hurdles after he bounced back from a fall at Aintree to split a pair of subsequent winners when runner-up at Hexham on his latest start in June. Flat winner Three Platoon kept on well to outrun his 33/1 odds when third at Uttoxeter on his hurdling debut and he is another to consider, as is Balkalin, whose best form holds up well despite his uninspiring profile (10-year-old maiden).
Prediction : 1st Pavlik 2nd Three Platoon 3rd Balkalin

HAUTE ESTIME reappeared on this card 12 months ago to win on her hurdles debut emphatically and she looks equipped to do the same on her chasing debut. The mare was last seen finishing an excellent third in Grade 1 novice company at Aintree's Grand National meeting and, given that she has always been earmarked for a chasing career, she makes more appeal than Shantou Express, who has yet to convince in three runs over fences, and The Vollan. He ran flat at Cartmel last time.
Prediction : 1st Haute Estime 2nd Shantou Express 3rd The Vollan

Fitness has to be taken on trust, but NUTS WELL won this contest on his seasonal debut last year and now 4lb lower, the veteran could gain a third successive victory in the race. Malystic tasted a narrow defeat at Ayr in April and his subsequent run at Kempton looked to stretch his stamina, so he could prove the chief threat to the selection now back in trip. Gold Des Bois arrives here in fine form and is worthy of respect, with race-fitness on his side.
Prediction : 1st Nuts Well 2nd Malystic 3rd Gold Des Bois

Fergal O'Brien's trips to Kelso have often proved fruitful and MORTLACH could further enhance that record. The son of Yeats won a similar-looking contest here last month and top-weight may not stop the selection. The biggest threat is likely to come from Whelans Bridge and Tough Out, with preference for the former after finishing second at Newcastle when last seen. Serious Operator is one to note in the betting market on his first start over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Mortlach 2nd Whelans Bridge 3rd Tough Out

Raddle And Hum is heading the right way after recording her first success since joining Ann Duffield, but the 7lb rise for that victory does put her close to a career-high mark so she may be worth taking on. EXIT TO WHERE has often shaped like a horse who wants further so he could be worth chancing now upped in distance. The eight-year-old is now 2lb lower than his win here in May and is the only previous course winner in the line-up. Readysteadybeau is an interesting recruit to chasing and he should prove much more competitive now returned to handicap company.
Prediction : 1st Exit To Where 2nd Readysteadybeau 3rd Raddle And Hum

Several to consider in a trappy-looking contest, but it may pay to focus on those towards the higher end of the handicap. Castletown returns to the smaller obstacles off a lower mark after some good efforts over fences, but it has been over three years since the veteran last tasted success in this discipline. COUP DE GOLD is no winning machine himself, but the David Thompson inmate ran a good third at Cartmel 34 days ago and he finished second in this race last year off 2lb higher. Bestiarius usually runs over shorter, but he has been running consistently well and is another to consider on his return.
Prediction : 1st Coup De Gold 2nd Castletown 3rd Bestiarius