UK Horse Racing Tips: Kelso

This is a highly competitive way to kick off an excellent day of racing and BYTHESAMETOKEN could get punters off to a flying start. The Ross O'Sullivan-trained veteran returned from a break with an enthusiastic third at Haydock a fortnight ago and, nudged down 1lb, he should be cherry-ripe for his bid to return to winning ways. The booking of Sean Bowen establishes connections mean business. Torneo, Aeros Luck and Breizh River all have solid enough credentials for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Bythesametoken 2nd Torneo 3rd Aeros Luck

PROTEKTORAT has bundles in hand based on official ratings and looks well placed to give his yard back-to-back winners of this race, while priming himself for a possible tilt at the Ryanair at Cheltenham in 12 days time. Minella Drama has been below his best of late, but he is a previous course winner who could be tough to reel in granted an easy lead. Ain't That A Shame resumes for a new stable after a 686-day break, but he can better Stolen Silver for third.
Prediction : 1st Protektorat 2nd Minella Drama 3rd Aint That A Shame

STARMOUNT, who was a creditable fourth in the Grade 1 Formby at Aintree, made the most of dropping in class when he coasted home by 15 lengths at Wetherby. That impressive display suggests he is above average and this could provide him with the biggest win of his career so far. Le Beau Madrik is likely to be on the premises after a couple of victories at Newcastle. However, Montemares was far from disgraced in the Challow at Newbury and he might be a bigger danger.
Prediction : 1st Starmount 2nd Montemares 3rd Le Beau Madrik

Cracking Rhapsody has won this for the last two years and is back to do it all over again, although he competes off a 4lb higher mark 12 months on and hasn't shown a great deal in any of his last three appearances. It may pay to side with HAMLET'S NIGHT, who was just touched off by Rubaud in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November and showed he's in good form when victorious on the Flat at Kempton recently. Captain Hugo and Wise Eagle are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Hamlets Night 2nd Cracking Rhapsody 3rd Captain Hugo

More was expected of Florida Dreams when only sixth at Musselburgh at the start of the month, but he has been dropped 2lb and could show a lot more. Even so, GOOD TO BE ALIVE looks the way to go. Olly Murphy's charge made his third outing in a handicap a successful one at Plumpton and is likely to have plenty of improvement in him. Frontier Prince completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Good To Be Alive 2nd Florida Dreams 3rd Frontier Prince

Bruce Banner sprung a 33/1 surprise at Musselburgh in November and is out to prove that was no fluke, but he might find it tough to give his penalty away to KEYBOARD. Adam Nicol's gelding has found one too good in each of his three timber starts, including behind Bruce Banner in that Musselburgh contest, but looks to have been found a good opportunity to go one better. It's highly unlikely Vivre Le Reve gave his true running at Wetherby and he isn't one to write off.
Prediction : 1st Keyboard 2nd Bruce Banner 3rd Vivre Le Reve

A PATH TO RONDA sets the standard having gained further valuable black type when placed in a Grade 2 at Warwick earlier in the month. The drop back in trip shouldn't be an issue, especially being a half-sister to the hugely talented Simonsig, and it will be disappointing if she is unable to get back to winning ways. Bittalemon was behind the selection in a Listed contest at Haydock just before Christmas but is capable of better, while Just An Artist completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st A Path To Ronda 2nd Bittalemon 3rd Just An Artist

PUSH THE BUTTON was fancied to go close in a typically competitive event on Trials Day at Cheltenham, but his jumping let him down at a crucial stage. His form earlier in the season reads particularly well, including a second at Ascot behind Steel Ally, and this appears a suitable confidence booster. Old Gregorian came home alone on his chase debut at Wetherby in October, but he jumped well in the main and is entitled to improve. Al Kalila has run with credit here and is preferred to Scarlet Jet.
Prediction : 1st Push The Button 2nd Old Gregorian 3rd Al Kalila