Friday 13th February 2026
We’ve got four selections from Kelso on Friday, the first of which comes within the 3.00, a Class 2 handicap chase over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. KING OF ANSWERS looks rock-solid here for the team of Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore. The yard form is currently a bit questionable; however, this seven-year-old should go well for them here against more exposed rivals. He won over course and distance on his penultimate start off just a three-pound higher mark, with that success coming on soft ground. He has to be considered a big player. His main rival could come in the form of ten-year-old Bill Baxter, whose best form would put him bang in the picture for Warren Greatrex.
Next up is the 3.35, where our second selection of the afternoon is set to run, and this is a Class 3 novice handicap chase over two miles and five and a half furlongs. The Nicky Richards-trained MILCREE should prove to be a big player here under Sean Quinlan. He returned from the track after a lengthy lay off with an impressive four and a quarter length success at Ayr last month, with that success also coming on soft ground and within Class 3 company. If he takes another step forward following that victory, he could prove tough to beat here. The main rival will likely be Queensbury Boy for Mickey Bowen; he posted his best effort to date over fences last time out when second of five at Windsor.
Our third pick of the day comes up at 4.10, and this is Class 4 handicap action over fences, and over a distance of three miles and two furlongs. Nicky Richards looks to have another very live challenger here in BIG ZOUK, who’s the mount of Brian Hughes. He won on his chase debut at Ayr last time out over three miles by just shy of three lengths, keeping on well to win comfortably. The extra couple of furlongs shouldn’t be an issue for him, given how he won last time, and that success also came on heavy ground. Wal Buck’s could prove to be the main danger for Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore, he’ll have no issue with the ground or trip, and is on a workable mark.
Signing us off for the afternoon will be the 4.45, a National Hunt Flat race that’s contested over two miles. Jonjo & A J O’Neil could have the key here with LION ROSE SIVOLA, who’s the mount of Jonjo Jr. He’s a point winner, who ran a very encouraging race on his rules debut at Chepstow in November, finishing second of thirteen, where he was seven lengths ahead of the third-placed horse. He should almost certainly take a big step forward coming into his second outing, and a bold showing is likely. Ar Ais Aris looks the main danger to the selection, he makes his rules debut here after being purchased following a second-placed finish within a point.
3.00 Kelso – KING OF ANSWERS – 5/2 (Win)
3.35 Kelso – MILCREE – 11/4 (Win)
4.10 Kelso – BIG ZOUK – 11/8 (Win) (NAP)
4.45 Kelso – LION ROSE SIVOLA – 5/4 (Win) (NB)
