Mews looks settobe the Mount
THE opening novice hurdle at Kelso will not take a lot of winning. That may leave the way clear for Malcolm Jefferson’s Mount Mews to make a successful debut.
The five-year-old has excelled in his preparation for his first winter jumping. scoring in a course-anddistance bumper by 10 lengths after a Market Rasen success.
Jefferson’s string has been in great nick, with jockey Brian Hughes the go-to rider in the north, and the trainer has been typically patient with Mount Mews.
After beating Bally Gilbert at the Rasen, he strolled home at Kelso, in May, from Nicholas T. It’s safe to assume the selection will have much more to offer.
The same combination run Kelka in the mares’ novice over two-and-a-half miles and, although she didn’t beat a lot at Hexham last time, she slaughtered them.
The Exit To Nowhere filly had 17 lengths to spare over Sue Smith’s Quietly, having travelled effortlessly throughout the journey.
Kelka does not seem to mind which ground she encounters and, although today’s rivals seem of a modest nature, point winner Moscanisi may test her most.
Hurricane Rita might be up to winning the closing handicap hurdle, after the Sagamix mare would have needed her Ayr run in October, her first since May.
Stuart Coltherd’s mare’s chance is best assessed from a three-and-a-quarter-length defeat by Isaactown Lad over course-and-distance in May, off today’s mark.