This analysis details the races scheduled at Kelso in chronological order, identifying the TimeWise Master Top Two rated horses based on the provided sources.
10.45 Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Now Novices’ Hurdle (2m 6f 151y)
Rank
Horse (Odds)
TimeWise Master Top Two
1
Scarlet Jet (11-4)
N W Alexander
2
Tamarind Bay (4-1)
M Bowen
(Note: While Walks The Talk holds the highest RPR of 133 in the race card data, the TimeWise Master RATI list identifies Scarlet Jet and Tamarind Bay as the Top Two.)
Recent Form and Comments
Scarlet Jet (5yo, 11-7): Displayed significant improvement on his latest of four hurdling starts last season, winning by over 9 lengths at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) in April. He is an obvious contender if he resumes in similar form.
Tamarind Bay (5yo, 11-0): Is 0-8 over hurdles and has become somewhat frustrating. However, the form of his clear third in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, good) in September reads well. His most recent defeat in a tactical 2m novice at Hexham is not viewed harshly.
Spotlight Verdict
Preference is for WALKS THE TALK, who represents a respected Irish stable and created a good impression on her hurdling debut at Roscommon. Tamarind Bay (second choice) has strong claims judged on his 2m4f Worcester handicap third in September, but patience in him is beginning to wear thin. Perth winner Scarlet Jet is also a likely contender.
Race Statistics
Age Groups: The most successful age group in recent runnings is 5yo (2 wins from 25 runners). Other successful age groups include 6yo (4-1-18) and 7yo (1-0-9).
Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites over the last 10 runnings is 2111341122.
Trainer Records: Ruth Jefferson has a record of 2 wins from 2 runners (2-0-2) and N W Alexander has a record of 0 wins from 3 runners (0-1-3).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Scarlet Jet
Showed ability to dominate when winning by 9 lengths last season. Is an obvious contender if fit upon return.
Needs to replicate April form following a break.
Tamarind Bay
Has strong handicap form (3rd at Worcester) that reads well. His last run was excusable due to the tactical nature of the race and trip.
He is currently 0-8 over hurdles and may be frustrating connections.
11.14 Ian Anderson Memorial Handicap Chase (2m 1f 14y)
Rank
Horse (Odds)
TimeWise Master Top Two
1
Coup De Coeur (5-2)
M D Hammond
2
Heads Or Harps (5-4)
L Russell & M Scudamore
Recent Form and Comments
Coup De Coeur (7yo, 12-2): Has form figures of 3121 since racing in British chases. Most recently, he scored by 7 lengths at Carlisle (2m, good) in April. He is up 7lb but the 5lb claim helps, and he may improve further.
Heads Or Harps (8yo, 11-7): Achieved a record of 421 when switched to chasing last season. He easily justified favouritism at Ayr (2m, soft) on his final start. Despite being hit with a big rise in the weights, he looks open to further progress this term and commands respect.
Spotlight Verdict
This may be decided between the two runners who look open to further improvement this season, namely HEADS OR HARPS and Coup De Coeur in that order of preference.
Race Statistics
Age Groups: The most successful age group in recent runnings is 8yo (4 wins from 21 runners). Other groups include 10yo (2-2-6) and 7yo (1-3-19).
Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites over the last 10 runnings is P125213411.
Trainer Records: Sandy Thomson (2-0-4), Donald McCain (1-0-2), Stuart Coltherd (1-2-7), and Miss S Forster (0-2-3).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Coup De Coeur
Consistent winning form (3121). Won comfortably by 7 lengths last time out. The 5lb claim largely offsets his 7lb penalty. Potential to improve further.
None specified, aside from the 7lb penalty (partially negated by the claim).
Heads Or Harps
Proven ability over fences (421 record). Looks open to further progress this season.
Authorized Mission (5yo, 12-0): Won at Newcastle (2m6f, soft) in January. Still has potential and resumes off only 3lb higher than for his win. He is making his stable debut, and the market should be watched. Was disappointing in his final two runs last season.
Gonnino (IRE) (6yo, 11-8): Lightly raced and ran well to finish fourth of 14 on his handicap debut at Perth (2m, good) in June. He has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and is open to more progress this season.
Spotlight Verdict
Preference is for the unexposed GONNINO who started his handicap career with a promising fourth in a big field at Perth in June. This is a different test at this new trip but he has plenty of stamina in his useful pedigree and is open to more progress. Authorized Mission needs watching in the market on his stable debut.
Race Statistics
Age Groups: The most successful age group in recent runnings is 5yo (3 wins from 25 runners), followed closely by 6yo and 7yo (3 wins each).
Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites over the last 10 runnings is 2241463110.
Trainer Records: N W Alexander (3-5-11), Nicky Richards (1-1-4), Sandy Thomson (1-0-4), D Bourke (1-0-3), Gillian Boanas (0-1-1).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Authorized Mission
A proven handicap winner off a mark only 3lb lower than today’s. Retains potential.
Disappointing in his last two starts of the previous season. Market confidence is key on stable debut.
Gonnino (IRE)
Lightly raced and open to more progress. Possesses strong stamina via pedigree, which suits the trip. Showed good form on handicap debut.
This is a “different test” on his first run since June, implying fitness and course questions.
Grand Voyage (FR) (9yo, 11-13): Defied this mark over fences at Ayr (2m4f, soft) in March. Has not matched that form since, and was pulled up at Ayr last Saturday after five months off. Needs a major revival back over hurdles.
Rickety Gate (10yo, 11-5): Five-time hurdle winner. Got back on track after a break with a third of 15 at Carlisle (2m4f, good) last month. He is 2-3 over C&D and remains feasibly treated off only 2lb higher than his last win; he is a big player.
Spotlight Verdict
RICKETY GATE (nap) is a big player who got back on track when third at Carlisle last month. He is well suited to this course and is reasonably treated. Mystic Martika (second choice) is unexposed and could pose the main threat on handicap debut.
Race Statistics
(Note: Specific age groups, fate of favourites, and trainer records for Div II are unavailable, drawing upon the similar Div I statistics provided for the meeting.)
Age Groups: Most successful age group in similar runnings is 5yo (3 wins from 25 runners).
Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites over the last 10 runnings is 2241463110.
Trainer Records: N W Alexander (3-5-11), Nicky Richards (1-1-4), Sandy Thomson (1-0-4).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Grand Voyage (FR)
Previously defied this mark over fences.
Has poor recent form, including being pulled up last time out. Requires a major revival back hurdling.
Rickety Gate
Excellent C&D record (2-3). Showed returning fitness (3rd at Carlisle). Feasibly treated near his last winning mark.
None apparent; viewed as a “big player”.
12.42 William Hill Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
Rank
Horse (Odds)
TimeWise Master Top Two
1
Rocheval (FR) (9-2)
L Russell & M Scudamore
2
The Navigator (9-4)
Mrs Dianne Sayer
Recent Form and Comments
Rocheval (FR) (5yo, 11-11): Did well to finish sixth in a big field at the Punchestown festival in the spring, having stayed on from a poor position, and probably still has potential.
The Navigator (10yo, 11-0): A high-mileage veteran. Won over C&D (good) on consecutive outings this autumn (three wins from his last four starts). He is not quite the force of old and might be vulnerable after his latest 4lb rise.
Spotlight Verdict
A chance is taken on the fitness of ROCHEVAL, who did well to finish sixth in a big field at the Punchestown festival in the spring, having stayed on from a poor position on the wide outside, and probably still has potential. Artic Mann and Heart Above (preferred in that order) are expected to run well.
Race Statistics
Age Groups: Only fragmented statistics are available. Based on overall field context, the race features older horses, including a 10yo (The Navigator) and an 11yo (Artic Mann).
Fate of Favourites: Only one favourite win listed in the brief table available.
Trainer Records: Nicky Richards (0-1-1) and Rebecca Menzies (0-1-1).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Rocheval (FR)
Highly regarded, showing great potential by finishing well in a valuable Punchestown race.
Fitness is the primary concern (“chance is taken on the fitness”).
The Navigator
Proven C&D record, having won consecutive outings this autumn. Strong recent winning momentum (3 wins from last 4 starts).
Is a high-mileage veteran and vulnerable following a 4lb rise. Not considered the force of old.
1.17 Belhaven Brewery Wishing Well Handicap Chase (2m 7f 96y)
Rank
Horse (Odds)
TimeWise Master Top Two
1
Dare To Shout (9-2)
Mrs A Hamilton
2
Ned Tanner (IRE) (11-2)
N W Alexander
Recent Form and Comments
Dare To Shout (8yo, 11-13): Is a recent Carlisle winner. He won five times in 2023-24. He is considered solid.
Ned Tanner (IRE) (9yo, 11-2): C&D winner. His best form typically requires soft ground over 2m4f. Finished respectably at Ayr (good to soft) in April following four good runs since being fitted with cheekpieces/tongue-tie combination. Could be in the shake-up.
Spotlight Verdict
Another chance is given to CADELL. He never gave himself a chance here two weeks ago by jumping out to the right but he has won around here and blinkers are now added. Dare To Shout (second choice) is solid and Walk On Quest is hard to dismiss after doing so well last season.
Race Statistics
Age Groups: The most successful age group in recent runnings is 9yo (2 wins from 13 runners). Other successful age groups include 6yo, 7yo, and 8yo (2 wins each).
Fate of Favourites: The fate of favourites over the last 10 runnings is 21P3U43126.
Trainer Records: Sandy Thomson (1-1-6) and N W Alexander (0-2-6).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Dare To Shout
Recent chase winner. Considered a solid runner.
None specified in the evaluation.
Ned Tanner (IRE)
C&D winner. Performs well when fitted with his headgear combination. Could be in the shake-up.
Prefers softer ground and possibly a slightly shorter trip (2m4f).
Sir Carnegie (IRE) (6yo, 11-12): Impressed at Newcastle last week. Connections waste little time in sending him chasing.
Wearelongterm (IRE) (8yo, 11-5): Is a point winner. Although 0-17 under rules (0-8 over fences), he was a close third off this mark over C&D (good) a fortnight ago. He is also effective on soft ground.
Spotlight Verdict
Topweight SIR CARNEGIE (nap) impressed at Newcastle last week and is selected to follow up. Auchinlek is open to improvement on his second chase start and may be the chief danger ahead of another unexposed 6yo in Knightphase. Wearelongterm could also be on the premises.
Race Statistics
Age Groups, Fate of Favourites, Trainer Records: Specific statistics are not provided in the sources for this particular race (Class 5 Novices’ Handicap Chase).
Assessment of Top Two Chances
Horse
Strengths
Weaknesses / Suitability
Sir Carnegie (IRE)
Impressive recent performance at Newcastle. High potential implied by his selection as the “nap”.
Connections are rushing him quickly into chasing.
Wearelongterm (IRE)
Proven recent form over C&D (close third) off the current mark. Handles soft ground well.
He is winless in 17 starts under rules and 8 starts over fences.
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