BET365 MOREBATTLE HURDLE - PREVIEW & TIPS

2:55 KELSO
BET365 MOREBATTLE HURDLE (A HANDICAP HURDLE) (GBB RACE)

Kelso’s late-winter showpiece has developed into one of the best two-mile handicaps of the season.

MOREBATTLE HURDLE - PREVIEW

Kelso’s late-winter showpiece has developed into one of the best two-mile handicaps of the season. A race where a strong gallop, accurate hurdling and the ability to travel in a big field are non-negotiable. The headline act is Cracking Rhapsody, chasing a rare hat-trick in the race, but this looks deeper than some recent renewals with a cluster of progressive types arriving on the right sort of profile for a Cheltenham-adjacent target.

At the prices, the race can be approached in two ways, either side with the proven Kelso specialist who has been trained for the day, or take on the hat-trick bid with a lightly-raced improver who could still be ahead of his mark in open company.

MOREBATTLE HURDLE - RUNNER BY RUNNER GUIDE

Useful on the Flat and still not fully exposed over hurdles. His Leopardstown fifth over Christmas was a better effort in this sort of company, but top weight asks a serious question in a deep British handicap and he’ll need everything to fall right at a sharp two miles.

A genuine Kelso specialist and a terrific servant, bidding for a third straight win in this race. He hasn’t hit peak form in three starts this season, but the mark is workable relative to his best and you can safely assume this has been the plan again. If he turns up in the right place mentally, he’s a major player.

Won the Grade 2 novice on this card 12 months ago and returns to hurdling after some respectable efforts over fences. Wind surgery could be a positive and he’s clearly got ability, but he still needs to prove he can be as sharp and streetwise as required in a 17-runner handicap at this trip.

A real improver last autumn, winning novice hurdles before going close at a higher level. He arrives here on a fair opening mark for a 5yo with upside and the recent AW win suggests he’s in good order. A big run is likely if he settles and handles the heat of a competitive handicap.

Progressive last season and firmly back on track with a Haydock handicap win after a change of tactics. The jump into a championship-level two-mile handicap is substantial and he’ll need a career-best to win, but he’s still relatively unexposed if ridden cold and could finish strongly if the leaders overdo it.

Reliable, improving and has already shown he can operate in competitive handicaps. The Windsor win was a valuable one and he did it with a bit in hand, though the 5lbs rise means he needs another step forward. His profile makes plenty of each-way sense in a race where solid handicappers often run their race.

Looked a smart prospect early, regained momentum with a Haydock novice win, then was still in contention when falling three out at Musselburgh. Handicap debut brings uncertainty, but there’s a feeling he can be better than this mark, if his jumping holds and he travels strongly enough in a true-run two miles.

Made a mockery of an opening mark when bolting up over C&D in December. He couldn’t land a blow in the Windsor race won by Hot Fuss, but that was a stronger event than most handicaps and a return to Kelso is a clear positive. If he gets into a good rhythm, he’s a serious contender.

Back to form when winning at Newcastle and then ran well in defeat at Aintree, but both of those were at much further. This is his first go at a bare two miles and it’s hard to escape the suspicion he may be caught for pace when the race lifts from the home turn.

Useful on the Flat and has shown he can be competitive in solid hurdle handicaps. The Musselburgh third reads well enough and he’s capable of running into a place if things develop his way, but he probably needs a strong pace to bring his stamina into play late.

Has done well since joining the yard and loves Kelso, but his better form is over further and this sharper trip is not an obvious plus. Others are more convincing given how hard this is likely to be run.

A Kelso winner with bits and pieces of form that make him interesting off this mark. His Ayr chase second was encouraging and first-time cheekpieces could sharpen him up, but he does come with risks in a race where you want a straightforward type. Each-way claims rather than a confident win play.

Has been consistent in novice company and now makes handicap debut with a tongue-tie added. Improvement is possible, but he’ll need it immediately in this grade and he may still be learning in the hurly-burly of a big-field handicap.

Better for a recent C&D run and is on a workable mark on last winter’s peak form, but this is a much stronger race than he’s used to contesting. Needs a good few to misfire to play a meaningful role.

Looked progressive when winning a Musselburgh handicap in November but has not been able to reproduce that level twice since. First-time tongue-tie needs to trigger a big response and he has more to prove than most.

The eye-catcher in the line-up. He shaped with promise on handicap debut at Kempton, finishing off well in a way that suggested the run would bring him forward. He’s lightly weighted, from a yard that excels with this type and has the profile of a horse who could still be a few pounds ahead of the assessor if he takes a step forward.

A genuine Kelso lover and arrives in decent nick for his level, but this is a different depth of race to what he usually contests. The track angle is obvious, yet he needs a career-best effort to trouble the principals.

MOREBATTLE HURDLE - FINAL THOUGHTS

A cracking renewal with plenty of depth, but QUAVISTE is the one who looks most likely to improve past his mark now he has a handicap run under his belt and gets in near the foot of the weights. Cracking Rhapsody is the clear danger given his Kelso record and proven ability in this exact contest, while Hot Fuss appeals as the solid each-way option given his profile and uncomplicated running style.

Morebattle Hurdle TIPS