Martiloo up to the mark

● Robson’s charge worthy of attention after Perth success

Martiloo, trained just across the border in Northumberland by Pauline Robson, bids to build on her first success at Kelso’s opening card of the autumn.

Carrying the colours of Ray and Anita Green, the mare faces seven rivals in the Belhaven Saltire Lager Handicap Chase over 2m 1f.

Ray Green said: “We were delighted when she opened her account at Perth last month as she’s been plagued by problems. She’s had sinus issues that have resulted in her having several operations.

“She won pretty well at Perth and has gone up 10lb since. She’s only seven now but we thought a lot of her during her younger days and she ran behind Douvan at Compiegne in the summer of 2014.”

Among those up against the Brian Hughes-ridden Martiloo are Jimmy Moffatt pair Nicolas Chauvin and Fantasy King along with Vengeur De Guye, second over course and distance in the spring, and representing the Grand National-winning combination of Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox.

Keith Dalgleish-trained classy Mirsaale heads a field of five declared for the £15,000 Bannermanburkelawhandicap Hurdle over 2m.

The gelding, who was ninth in the 2013 Epsom Derby, has won three of his nine starts over hurdles for current connections.

Interesting rivals include Beeno and Prince Khurram who are both bidding to extend their winning sequences to four-a-row.

Meanwhile, it was hard not to be impressed with the taking debut of Il Primo Sole at Yarmouth last month and he can take the next step up the ladder in the Max Patel Wealth Manager Of Choice Conditions Stakes at Sandown.

John Gosden’s charge was far and away the best horse that day and could have won by double the distance or more.