GORDON RICHARDS can improve his fine record at Kelso by striking with Jessolle in the opening Cheviot Rentals (Modular Marquees) Novices' Hurdle today.
The Greystoke trainer has enjoyed plenty of success on his Scottish raids over the years and looks to have laid the five-year-old out for this contest.
He has given the mare plenty of time to learn her job, with education seemingly the prime aim on her first five starts. And Jessolle left the strong impression she is now ready to win following her display at Bangor last time out.
Sent off an unconsidered 66 to 1 shot and ridden by a 7lb claimer she made headway eye-catching headway from the fourth-last flight and threatened to get involved in the finish until hampered at the next.
Allowed plenty of time to recover her stride, she stayed on strongly in the latter stages to finish under nine lengths third behind the potentially smart Florid.
Stable-jockey Tony Dobbin takes over in the saddle today when Jessolle faces no rival of Florid's calibre and should gain the first success of her career.
Stable-companion Whaat Fettle will be a popular choice to land his ninth course victory in the Pat de Clermont Handicap Chase. But the 12-year-old has been out of form to date this term and is unlikely to be up to conceding 25lb to Ask Me Later who is a young chaser on the upgrade.
Ask Me Later, a winning point-to-pointer, was impressive in taking a novice chase at Newcastle in February only to be outstayed in very testing conditions when second on his handicap debut at Ayr last month. He is well worth another chance on more suitable ground tomorrow.
In the Excalibur Handicap at Southwell, all-weather champion jockey Darryll Holland is an eye-catching booking for Leigh Crofter who disappointed when favourite for an amateur riders' event at Wolverhampton last time.
Holland produced a fine effort from the eight-year-old on the same course previously, leading before the home turn until worn down close home by Mr Nevermind. His mount is weighted to go one place better this time.
Holland could well initiate a double on three-time runner-up Mr Paradise who will get few better winning opportunities than in the King Arthur Median Auction Maiden.
