Kelso Tips: It’s a family affair

Friday, Dec 29th – and a very attractive 7-race card at Kelso, in the Scottish borders.

2023 is nearly done and dusted, and that means the delights of 2024 are just around the corner – exciting times indeed.

Here’s a couple I hope can run well for us this afternoon ..

13.20 Gold Des Bois @ 11/4

A 2m 1f Class 3 handicap chase – and a 9-yr-old gelding trained in Scotland by Iain Jardine.

In Oct ’22 he won here at the trip (Class 2) off a mark of 127, and has slipped to 121. Harry Cobden no less was on board last time in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham, but he didn’t fire. This is a far less taxing assignment, and champion jockey Brian Hughes takes over in the plate.

He’s a Kelso course-and-distance scorer and ran well here immediately prior to that HQ disappointment. Being back in calmer waters, at a track where he often excels, can spark a return to winning ways. Runs in the famous green and yellow silks of owner Raymond Anderson Green.

14.28 Similar Story @ 7/2

A 2m 2f mares’ handicap hurdle, and a 5-yr-old daughter of Ballydoyle’s Queen’s Vase hero Mahler.

A *Coltherd family affair, Similar Story makes her handicap debut after showing promise, admittedly well-beaten, in novice events. She’s a previous Point scorer though over 3m, so given the forecast soft terrain she should have the required stamina for this admittedly much shorter trip. Deeper ground always accentuates the need to really see out your race whatever the distance.

Trainer *Stuart has had a couple of winners in the last couple of weeks and jockey *Sam has had three, so the ‘firm’ are in decent order. I feel there’s plenty of optimism that she can take a stride forward and make the most of the stone she gets from likely race favourite Ip Up.

Good luck!

More Horse Racing tips, courtesy of Betfred Insights.