Kelso Saturday Preview - 05/03/22

The first selection of the afternoon for us from Kelso on Saturday comes in the Grade Two Premier Novices' Hurdle over 2m2f and Richmond Lake for Donald McCain has leading chances.

First seen in a bumper over in Ireland for Eugene O’Sullivan he ran quite poorly before tackling life in the point to point sphere.

Unable to win between the flags, he moved to Donald McCain’s yard to restart life under rules over here and it has changed his career.

A clear winner on debut in a maiden hurdle, he went in by 15 lengths after making all the running, he then finished a close third to North Lodge at Aintree but today is getting 5lb off the horse.

Looking to get back to winning ways he then scored over 2m4f under a penalty by a devastating 27 lengths at lowly odds of 1/7 at Sedgefield.

One of his best runs to date came last time out when a three length second in the Grade Two Supreme Trial at Haydock behind the superstar Jonbon.

This stiffer course and longer trip will suit and he’s already ran well at the grade, which many haven't.

Next up is the Class 2 Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4 1/2f and the Nicky Richards trained Famous Bridge looks to have a big chance if jumping better.

The six year old was bought for €84,000 by the late Trevor Hemmings and given to Nicky Richards and he looks a horse that oozes class.

Making his stable/British/hurdles debut at Carlisle in October he was a good second learning a lot for the experience and then used that to get off the mark next time out at Ayr, beating a decent horse for Warren Greatrex.

Next time out he was seen at Kelso over slightly further than todays trip when second to a very game stayer and looking to put that right last time out he unseated his rider near the end of the race when still in contention.

This seems to be his ideal trip and only 1lb higher than his last race where he looked to go close, he deserves another chance.

One of the feature races of the afternoon is the Listed Premier Chase over 2m7f and we are giving our final chance to Itchy Feet, who we believe has a race like this in him.

Having been a smart hurdler, finishing third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle behind Klassical Dream, he has also been a decent chaser landing a first Grade One for the yard at Sandown in the Scilly Isles Chase.

Although not winning since then he has been knocking on the door in some good races and on both his runs this term he has shown a high level of form.

He made his seasonal debut in the Grade Two Old Roan Chase when a length second to the reliable Allmankind.

He then went to Haydock and took on Bravemansgame in a good match up and stayed on well to only finish 2 3/4 lengths behind him and he has since franked the form in a big way.

Last time out he went to Lingfielf in the valuable Fleur De Lys Chase over 2m6f and ran a weird race staying on in game fashion but still on finishing fourth of six.

Back on a sounder surface in what looks an easier race, this eight year old can finally fill his potential for the season.

The Class 2 Morebattle Handicap Hurdle over two miles is the pinnacle of Kelso's meeting on Saturday with 12 runners heading to post for glory.

We have sided with the Irish raider for Jessica Harrington with Autumn Evening looking to land a value prize across the Irish sea on his British debut.

The five year old has been a fairly consistent horse this term, winning over two miles in September at Listowel before a game second at Gowran in heavy ground.

Having a little blip in his two runs after that when unseating his rider and running no race in a big fielded handicap at Fairyhouse when Harrington's horses weren't running well, he bounced back to form next time out.

Back at Fairyhouse on soft ground he beat some smart runners in a good event including Indigo Breeze and Top Moon and then last time out gave his best run of the season.

Looking to likely winner when turning for home at the Dublin Racing Festival Autumn Evening ran a stormer to finish third in the 27 runner Liffey Handicap Hurdle.

He has gone up 9lb for that run to a mark of 147 but only being five years old he should still be improving and can go close in this.

The final selection of the afternoon from Kelso comes in the Class 3 Limited Handicap Chase over 2m1f and Seemorelights for local trainer Sandy Thomson looks weighted to go close.

Seen three times this season over fences the 10 year old needed his first run at Ayr but has come into his own after that, Winning next time out at Ayr by five lengths before going up 6lb and finishing second next time out in heavy ground.

Off the same mark of his latest run and getting his ideal conditions, he has a big chance to go close once again.