chased leaders, jumped right throughout, hit 9th and 11th, soon outpaced, staying on when blundered 4 out, ridden and went poor 2nd approaching last, one pace flat
tracked winner, hit 13th, weakened from approaching last
made all and jumped well, drew clear from 3 out, driven out flat and eased close home
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, reminders after 10th, soon weakened, lost touch from 4 out, refused 2 out
always behind, reminders after 4th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 11th
A step back up in trip will suit General Hardi but NILE MOON impressed when winning here last time and can continue with another win at the main expense of the consistent Cadoudalas. Although he fell on his first start in blinkers, the way that he jumped and raced last time suggested that the aids have had a positive effect. He was good value for his win last time and deserves his 7lb rise in the weights; having shown an ability to act on a variety of underfoot conditions he looks sure to run a big race. Cadoudalas has top-weight to shoulder this afternoon, and he will need to bounce back from the disappointment of his latest run at Ayr. He was a well-backed 2/1 favourite but he was well-held in third and hopes will be pinned on this likely quicker ground bringing about some improvement. General Hardi seemed to be outpaced last time at Sedgefield and the step back up in trip is in his favour. However the attentions of the handicapper and a further 4lb rise for that defeat is not and he will do well to gain just his second career win off this new perch. Billsgrey has no chance from out of the weights, so Humourous is the only other feasible option. This beautifully-bred individual started off life with Godolphin and not many would have predicted that five years on he would be plying his trade over fences at Kelso; on his first chasing start he looks opposable. This looks to be a good opening for Nile Moon to shine once again.
Cadoudalas (FR) 2-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, blundered 7th, riddern after 5 out, effort 3 out, one pace and no impression from next, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Corlande (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
General Hardi 7-2 (11-10) Led, ridden 2 out, headed when mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Lawaaheb (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf.
Nile Moon (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway to lead 7th, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Coldwells (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Humourous (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened from 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Percutant (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Billsgrey (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, struggling halfway, 8th of 9, well behind Bleu Pois (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (4) gd.
