12/1 Willie Hall has conditions in his favour
Conditions at Kelso today are going to be very testing and that makes Willie Hall of interest at 12/1 in the handicap hurdle at 1.30.
Willie Amos’ gelding won a bumper before putting in several good efforts over hurdles and finally breaking his duck at Newcastle back in March.
He was well backed that day and seemed to relish the soft going as he was driven out to beat Rolecarr by a neck under today’s pilot Campbell Gillies.
The form of the race looks pretty solid in the context of this contest as the the runner-up has since gone on to score three times and is now rated 120 whilst the fourth, Arisea, has landed back to back victories in her last two starts.
Although Willie Hall is now 12lb higher in the weights he does handle the ground, and having failed to take to fences has to be of interest now switched back to the smaller obstacles.
Apart from Lady Bluesky he is the only runner in the line-up with proven form in the mud, and that makes him look way overpriced at the current 12s on offer.
At those odds I rate him a cracking each-way bet.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Willie Hall (12/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
4/1 Bally Fitz the bill
The form of Ballyfitz’s last run makes him the one they all have to beat in the Scottish Borders National at Kelso today (2.30) and he is of serious interest at 4/1.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding has been a grand servant over the years and bounced back to his best when chasing home Galaxy Rock in a hot handicap at Cheltenham last time out off a mark of 129.
He had subsequent Hennessy winner Carruthers 9 lengths behind him in third that day, and the fourth home Hey Big Spender has also gone on to score in good style under top weight at Newcastle.
The form of the race looks absolutely rock solid, and a repeat would surely be good enough to take this given that he is able to run off exactly the same mark.
Other pluses are that the 11-year-old stays all days and has winning form in testing conditions.
He will relish this thorough test, and providing he puts in a clear round he should prove too classy for his rivals.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Ballyfitz (4/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
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