Success ahead for Mr & Mrs
Choochoobugaloo has been knocking at the door of late. Perhaps today’s mare’s handicap hurdle at Kelso can help push it open.
Three close-placed efforts at Ayr, Newcastle and Uttoxeter advertise the consistent form of husband-and-wife team, Jonathan and Sam England.
It’s a low-grade affair and there will be interest in County Derry raider Bracka Lily, after Noel Kelly’s runner was second last time at Down Royal.
But he has to give a stone to the selection, who was beaten just a length-and-a-half when being caught close home at Newcastle last time.
Lord Yeats has threeand-a-quarter lengths to find on market rival Encore Champs from their meeting at Wetherby in November.
Jedd O’Keeffe’s charge was having his first run over hurdles that day, though, and raced far too keenly in the early part of the race.
Since then, the 99-rated flat winner has trounced a modest field at Sedgefield by 16 lengths, and he should be more amenable to restraint.
Skandiburg might be up to taking the staying novice hurdle, which opens the card, for Ollie Murphy and Gavin Sheehan.
The top three are all penalised winners, but Skandiburg’s facile win at Fakenham, when eased down, just gives him the edge.