Verdict

Coverholder and Tutchec are the in-form Nicky Richards' only runners at Kelso today but neither make much appeal in this opener and the latter was a long way behind THE WEATHERMAN at Sedgefield last month. Donald McCain's gelding has already won a bumper here and is open to further improvement now that he's got his head in front over timber. Into Wain, successful over C&D last month, should also go well and is a lot less exposed than Jet Master while there should be more to come from Mark Johnston's Flat winner Becausewecan following a debut fifth over hurdles at Catterick.

Formwatch

Into Wain (USA) 10-11fav (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led just after last, soon clear, ran on well, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Rhymers Ha' (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.

Jet Master (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind Simply Ned (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.

The Weatherman (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Kealigolane (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.

Aye Well 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not much room and lost place 10f out, behind 7f out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Fourth Estate (11-9) at Ayr 2m NH flat (4) gd in Apr.

Becausewecan (USA) 11-4fav (11-6) Chased winner, until no extra between last 2, 5th of 16, 26l behind Star In Flight (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.

Cool Vic (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced on long run between last 2, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 31l behind Soudain (11-0) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.

Coverholder (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 6th of 9, well behind Getting Ready (11-5) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.

Furius 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 11, 26l behind Break The Chain (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '10.

Murkle Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, pushed along 5th, never dangerous, last of 9, well behind Getting Ready (11-5) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.

Papillon Parc 25-1 (10-12) Behind, pushed along before 4th, tailed off 3 out, 5th of 8, well behind Diamond D'amour (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.

Swift Arrow (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, lost place inside final 2f, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 46l behind Ashes House (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.

Tutchec (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 3 out, went 6th before 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 36l behind The Weatherman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.

Wadnaan 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Native Gallery (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 18 ran.

Mia Matriarch 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, well behind Into Wain (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.