A boost to the prize fund, a big bonus linked to Cheltenham and the switch to a handicap has transformed the Morebattle Handicap at Kelso, and the 18-strong field for the latest renewal on Saturday is two more than lined up for the past four runnings as a non-handicap put together.
Nicky Henderson has yet to add to his three winners of the race – at 4-11, 2-7 and 1-4 – since the conditions changed in 2021, but has an obvious chance this time around with the mare Under Control, the likely favourite and one of six horses in the field with an entry at Cheltenham in a fortnight’s time.
The five-year-old put up a career-best in a Grade Two at Doncaster last time but Saturday’s race is a very different test, off 10lb more than her last winning mark. Following Constitution Hill’s lacklustre gallop earlier in the week, meanwhile, it is also hard to overlook the fact that six of Henderson’s past nine runners have been pulled up.
Black Hawk Eagle, still in the early stages of his career with Kerry Lee, is an obvious alternative at a similar price, but there are similarly unexposed runners at bigger odds too, including Ewan Whillans’s Cracking Rhapsody (nap, 2.50) at around 16-1.
The five-year-old improved from his handicap debut to record a cosy success over track and trip last month, is just 4lb higher in the weights on Saturday and has a clear chance to show further improvement on what will be only his fifth start in all over hurdles.
Southwell
2.05 Zara’s Universe
2.35 Storminhome
3.05 Caryto Des Brosses
3.40 Long Draw
4.10 Pipers Cross
4.40 Joker Du Chenet
Plumpton
2.17 Stuti
2.50 Duhallow Tommy
3.20 Letthedustsettle
3.52 Mr Mackay
4.22 Committee Of One
4.52 Mi Sueno
Wolverhampton
5.30 Big Dream
6.00 Pegasus Of Harry
6.30 Dyrholaey
7.00 Bint Havana Gold
7.30 Artisan Dancer (nb)
8.00 Basholo
8.30 Algheed (nap)
Newbury 1.20 Several of these have questions to answer and Commodore, who has run well fresh in the past, could be overpriced at around 7-1.
Kelso 1.42 Patrick Wadge’s 3lb claim could tip the balance aboard Serious Operator after a promising run in the Lanzarote at Kempton last time.
Newbury 1.55 Grandeur D’Ame deserves another chance to back up an excellent run at Cheltenham in December after his early departure last time.
Kelso 2.17 The fast-improving Brucio could further improve County Antrim-based Stuart Crawford’s excellent record with runners in Britain.
Doncaster 2.35 A small field but competitive all the same, and course-and-distance winner Tommy’s Oscar could be the safest option.
Doncaster 3.10 Lunar Discovery, the only runner with an entry at Cheltenham, can make her class tell as she steps up in trip.
Kelso 3.25 Aye Right has the upper hand on ratings but the progressive Monbeg Genius should be able to bridge the gap and book a place in the field for the Grand National.
Doncaster 3.40 The fast-improving Some Scope has taken another hike in the weights but this step up to three-and-a-quarter miles could well see sufficient progress to overcome a 10lb rise.
Huntingdon 1.55 Mixedwave 2.30 Balhambar 3.05 Bluegrass 3.40 Eximia 4.15 Pipers Cross 4.45 Ma Shantou
Doncaster 2.05 Lily Luna 2.40 Scrum Diddly (nap) 3.15 Iconic Middle (nb) 3.50 My Gift To You 4.25 I See The Sea 5.00 Mister Meggit
Newcastle 4.52 Vision Of Hope 5.25 Zephlyn 6.00 Army Ethos 6.30 Boafo Boy 7.00 Billy Mill 7.30 Pepsi Cat 8.00 Inawe 8.30 Ivasecret
Constitution Hill awaits ‘acid test’
Nicky Henderson expects a second blood test on Monday to be the “acid test” in Constitution Hill’s race against time to be fit for the Cheltenham Festival. The unbeaten and defending Champion Hurdle winner worked poorly at Kempton on Tuesday, putting his participation at the showpiece meeting in major doubt. A scope showed mucus in his lungs and despite slightly more positive news in the following days, results of a blood test on Thursday proved to be another blow.
In a statement issued on X on Friday, Henderson revealed the results of a second scope were more encouraging, but admits his stable star is still “unwell” with his intended return to action in the Cotswolds a little over a week away.
Henderson said: “On what was about as foul and filthy morning as you can imagine at Seven Barrows, Constitution Hill had a light exercise and was rescoped afterwards as planned. This showed the Neutrophil percentage, indicative of infection, was back to normal parameters with no mucus evident. This is obviously positive news but we cannot hide behind yesterday’s blood test which basically reveals that, in simple terms, our horse is ‘unwell’.
“He will have a quiet weekend and we propose, as originally planned, to take a further blood test on Monday which I believe will be the acid test. Therefore I think we might leave it until then to keep everybody updated on the situation.” PA Media
