16:25 Kelso

Leg 1 Selections: Didtheyleaveuoutto, Ashington, Judicial Law 

A classy horse in his prime, the Ben Haslam-trained DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO gained a first win over hurdles in nearly five years at Cartmel two starts ago and didn’t fare too badly on testing ground back there last time when sixth in a tougher race than this. He could feature from what is still a low-mark compared to his historical peak form. ASHINGTON has his stamina to prove but is a pound below his last winning mark and could go well, while top-weight JUDICIAL LAW could be hard to beat if the fitting of cheekpieces has a desired effect. 

17:00 Kelso

Leg 2 Selections: Caithness, Noble Anthem 

Lucinda Russell’s CAITHNESS has displayed ability in all three starts this year and while he failed to meet market expectations here last time, clearly he is capable of better and could go well if the break has freshened him up. He is essentially rated 9Ib higher than the favourite as well. NOBLE ANTHEM has been unconvincing over hurdles in his two previous attempts but he has some strong form to his name on the Flat and perhaps Brian Hughes will be able to galvanise some improvement out of him against these. He is worth another chance. 

17:35 Kelso

Leg 3 Selections: Johnson’s Blue, Bella Bliss 

A disappointing turnout with only the two runners, so it is wise to cover this race with the pair. JOHNSON’S BLUE has been placed to perfection by his handler, who has won half of his hurdle starts, and although this chase debut comes after a break, he does rate the likely winner granted he takes to it. BELLA BLISS made a winning start in this sphere at Ballinrobe though, where her jumping was assured, and will be looking to exploit any potential mistakes from her sole rival. It is difficult to split them so both can be included, which is the sensible option. 

18:05 Kelso

Leg 4 Selections: Sword Of Fate, Fusain

SWORD OF FATE can be a difficult horse to beat when granted a soft lead and is generally consistent. He remains only 2Ib higher than when he won on his penultimate start and while this is more competitive, he should still be able to at least fill the frame if he gets beaten. Meanwhile FUSAIN was highly tried in a Grade 1 two starts ago after a pair of wins in February and ran well when third at Perth back at a more realistic level when last spotted. He has a big weight to carry on his return but will find this drop in grade easier and should be competitive. 

18:35 Kelso

Leg 5 Selections: Jumping Susie 

John McConnell has a good record here with select runners and he has a great chance to enhance that with JUMPING SUSIE who is rated only 1Ib lower than Imperial Data but will be in receipt of a lot of weight. She should be able to bounce back from her latest fifth given she has already finished second three times in six starts over hurdles. Even if she finds one too good, she should be more than capable of being competitive. She comes out best at the weights. 

19:05 Kelso

Leg 6 Selections: Jimmy Rabbitte, Call Me Harry

The losing run of JIMMY RABBITTE has been going on for over four years but he went close over course-and-distance back in May when second and has knocked on the door in three more starts since, in which he has now placed in all of his last four starts. Given his recent good run of form, a belated return to winning ways could be imminent. CALL ME HARRY, however, will make his handicap debut from a lenient mark and shown enough to suggest he can be competitive in a race like this.