Christmas can come early for Alexander

Kinneston trainer is well represented at Kelso

Nick Alexander is looking to get among the winners at Kelso today. The Kinneston trainer starts off with

CHRISTMAS IN USA in the opening National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.

He said: “He’s a lovely young horse and came from France. He has already raced over hurdles and fences and made his debut for us at Perth back in the spring.”

Alexander is double-handed in the Handicap Hurdle with Another Mattie and Landecker, and he added: “Both have run well at Kelso in the past, and it’s the track where Landecker has won his three races.

“Of the others we also have Heilan Rebel in the novices’ handicap hurdle – he has cheekpieces on for the first time and he will be a chaser one day.

“And then finally a nice young filly we introduce for her racecourse debut in the bumper called Off The Hook.”

The feature race is the £12,000 Handicap Chase over 2m 1f, and both Lucinda Russell and Stuart Coltherd are doubly represented by Imjoeking and Kumbeshwar and Aye Well and Quick Decision respectively.

THE YOUNG MASTER can get his name on the roll of honour for the Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase at Wincanton, two years after being denied in unusual circumstances.

He was first past the post in November 2014, but it later transpired he was not qualified to run.

Winner of two big handicaps since then, Ascot’s Mappin & Webb Silver Cup in December 2014 and the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April, Neil Mulholland’s runner is still only seven despite his relative experience these days.

He has to carry a big weight, but looks up to the task.

SCEAU ROYAL got his campaign off to the best possible start with a convincing win at Cheltenham and can back that up in the Stan James Elite Hurdle.

Trainer Alan King is aiming to strike while the iron is hot with the four-yearold.

Sceau Royal took on the best juvenile hurdlers last spring at Cheltenham and Aintree.

SELECTIONS:

KELSO: 12.35 Another Bill, 1.10 Chain Of Beacons, 1.45 Bourne, 2.20 Captain Redbeard, 2.55 Oliver’s Gold, 3.30 Bestwork, 4.00 Illwalktheline.

WINCANTON: 12.30 Capitaine, 1.00 Boa Island, 1.35 Master Dee, 2.10 Sceau Royal, 2.45 Pemba, 3.20 THE YOUNG MASTER (NAP), 3.55 David Cricket.

DOUBLE: The Young Master and Sceau Royal.