Kelso, Sunday 24 May 2026 — Tips and Selections

Kelso, Sunday 24 May 2026 — Tips and Selections

A seven-race card at Kelso on good ground, with partly cloudy skies keeping conditions consistent throughout the day. Small fields dominate the card, which suits horses with strong recent form rather than each-way punters hunting value in big scrums. Three races stand out for betting purposes, and one horse in particular looks seriously well-placed to deliver.

2:28 — Ladies Day Novices’ Hurdle

Selection: Chemistry (8/11, Boyle Sports/Betfred)

Nine runners but the race looks a straightforward affair. Chemistry is sent off favourite for a reason, and on this occasion the market has it right. Jennie Candlish’s five-year-old won a Sedgefield maiden hurdle last month on good ground, beating an odds-on shot who went on to win next time. That form has been franked, and the manner of the victory was authoritative. He carries a penalty here, but it does not make him unbackable at 8/11. The Flat form provides a solid foundation, and this looks well within his capabilities at the trip.

The yard has clocked 4/27 over the past fortnight, which is a reasonable but not spectacular strike rate. Sean Quinlan in the saddle is a big positive. At 8/11 this is not a value play in the traditional sense, but in small-field novice company with opposition this modest, it is a confident selection.

3:03 — Elliot Henderson Group Handicap Hurdle

Selection: Wise Eagle (10/3, Boyle Sports/Betfred/LiveScore Bet)

Four runners and a fascinating contest. The headline angle here is Adam Nicol’s yard, which has gone 4/9 over the past 14 days. That is a barn in form, and Wise Eagle represents the stable here. The nine-year-old looked better than ever when third in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso back in February, which means he has already shown he handles this course. He backed that up with a good third on the Flat at Musselburgh last month, confirming he is ticking over nicely.

The cheekpieces are refitted today, which is a positive trigger for a horse already operating at a good level. Ryan Mania takes the ride and knows the horse well. At 10/3, he rates a standout each-way option in an open four-way heat.

Kihavah at 9/4 is solid enough, a dual-purpose performer arriving in good order off a Newmarket Flat run, but the Nicol yard form edges Wise Eagle ahead. The Kemble Brewery is a legitimate favourite after a dominant Chepstow win, but carries a 9lb hike and has to prove it translates to Kelso on this surface. Wise Eagle at 10/3 with a trainer sending out winners at nearly 45% in the past fortnight is the value call.

4:12 — Racing TV Handicap Chase

Selection: Dunkerque (5/2, Boyle Sports/Betfred)

Six runners over 2m5f on good ground, and Dunkerque arrives carrying impressive momentum. Jennie Candlish’s six-year-old won a novice hurdle at Newcastle in April before making a seamless transition to fences with a victory at Southwell just 13 days ago. That is back-to-back wins in two different disciplines, and the handicapper has not yet caught up entirely. Sean Quinlan, who rode Chemistry in the opener, is back in the saddle.

Looking Splendid at 5/2 is equally intriguing, with two excellent runs round this track including a win and a clear second over the course and distance. The 13lb rise over two runs is a concern, though, and Gary Rutherford’s yard has been flat with an 0/5 record in the past fortnight.

Chapel Green at 5/1 has a C&D win to his name and the step back up in trip is in his favour, but the Lucinda Russell yard is cold at 1/19 over the past two weeks. Dunkerque, with a trainer firing and a horse in career-best form, is the selection at 5/2.

Today’s NAP