Kelso Friday - race previews for each of our 3 runners

Eunice has dictated that an 8am inspection is to be held at Kelso in the morning. Really hope racing is possible though.

The opener on a 7-race card at 1 pm features our own Maid Of Houxty. She was badly affected by runny nose syndrome so her last run can be discounted. She has taken a fair bit of time to get over it but she's again pleasing in her work in the mornings. She starts in handicaps off a high looking OR99 and this 0-110 handicap hurdle over 2m 6½f is an ultra competitive affair. There are any number of runners in good form and several improving, if not indeed progressive, types.

Kinneston Nick's likely favourite Travail D'Orfevre's opening handicap mark of 101 has certainly raised a few eyebrows and both Return Fire and Soivegotachance are dropped in class here. Bullion Boss, Be The Difference and Tartan Cookie all have good winning claims too.

Craig Nichol is in the plate for Bill & Carol Aitchison. Enjoy the day.

Maid of Houxty (Callum) is upsides Stolen Money (Connor)

The main protagonists from the course and distance handicap hurdle held mid January are scheduled to re-appear at 2pm.

Elvis Mail, Word Has It and Stainsby Girl line up with McGowan's Pass and Diocletian completing the field. Slight adjustment in the weights by the handicapper with Word Has It the potential beneficiary but it's very tight between the trio. McGowan's Pass ran an excellent 3rd at Sandown in a Class 2 event a couple of weeks ago, goes well on heavy and could put the drop in grade to full effect here.

Diocletian is hard to weigh up as this former good class Flat performer was unruly at the start last time and was withdrawn. But he does possess a fair level of ability.

Stainsby Girl will again appreciate the testing conditions and has been in fine fettle at home. Fingers crossed for Helen Simpson & Al Duncan with regular rider Craig Nichol.

Stainsby Girl (Georgina)

The overall standard of the bumper which closes the card at 4.50pm doesn't quite look up to recent levels but has attracted a very well bred newcomer from Keith Dalgleish's yard in the shape of Ain't No Sunshine, a full brother to classy Airlie Beach. Four other siblings have also won and there are bumper winners throughout the family. With Brian Hughes booked, he looks a likely sort.

Nicky runs Hard Iron who showed up reasonably well on debut at Musselburgh at the turn of the year and should again be challenging at the finish. Chris Grant's 4 yr old Chase A Fortune gets a handy 12lb weight for age allowance which brings him into the mix.

Gie It Laldy ran well for a long way on debut on heavy going at Ayr recently - the winner has been an impressive hurdling debut winner since - but he'll face heavy ground again here. We like this son of Multiplex a lot though but he may well be more ideally suited by a sounder surface.
Callum Bewley went so close for owners Simon & Angela Gillie with Kinerton Hill who finished runner up a couple of days ago, and is in the saddle again.
Simon & Angela will be watching on from warmer climes. Good luck to all.

The grey Gie It Laldy tracks the Houxty sisters with Both Barrels close up