Onward wegowith Rebecca
Rebecca Menzies has enjoyed a great season over obstacles and on the flat, and in Onward Route, she has a big shout at Kelso.
A winner in novice events at Hexham and Uttoxeter this year, the eight-year-old tried fences without success last time.
Today’s two-mile test comes on his handicap debut, and a mark of 115 looks feasible, while the booking of Brian Hughes is a big plus.
A success for Onward Route would improve the chance of Pavlik in the following novice hurdle for Berwick trainer, Sandy Thomson.
The five-year-old American-bred has only been to the races four times, so his expert handler will be expecting significant improvement.
On his third try, he fell when in with a chance at Aintree in May, prior to being seven lengths behind Onward Route at Hexham.
There’s a £20,000 first prize for the two-mile handicap chase, and Peter Niven’s Malystic looks up to the task.
Last time mixing with top opposition at Kempton, he was fourth to Slate House, having lost a front shoe on the way round.