Sandy Could Be Set For A Big Day At Kelso

What a run that was earlier from Highland Lodge. He did it the hard way from out in front and all the credit has to go to Jimmy Moffatt. It was a brilliant training performance to get this fella back to his best and he lead them on a merry dance throughout. His jumping was a joy to behold and he gave Henry Brooke a scintillating spin around Aintree. Hopefully you got on at 25/1 last night and earned a few quid to go into the Christmas slush fund.

There is some decent action on Sunday too, and one of my 'tricky trainers' could be set to have a red letter day at Kelso. Seeyouatmidnight has his second chase start and with his comeback run behind him he should strip a lot fitter. He gets 10lb from Silsol who beat him last time off level weights, and back up in trip he should be be able to reverse that form en route to bigger days in the Spring. Old boy Neptune Equester also has every chance in the 4 miler that he won last year, though it won't be easy off a 10lb higher mark.

The one I like though goes in the lucky last, a 2m6.5f handicap hurdle. Kilquiggan is having his 5th handicap start and he could be set to make an impact off his reduced mark of 93. This son of Vinnie Roe was sent off a well backed 4/1 on his handicap debut off 100, which would indicate he must have being showing a fair bit at home. That run came over 3m on good ground and it was a poor effort. He was well beaten in 5th but there was some encouragement to be gleaned from his next run here over 26f.

The ground was heavy that day and Kilquiggan ran a much better race to finish 2nd to Snuker, looking the likely winner a couple of furlongs out until he faded in the closing stages. The way he travelled and finished off his race that day would suggest that the drop back to today's trip will be ideal.

He made his seasonal reappearance on good ground over 3m at Ayr back in October and was never sighted. He would have needed that run though and hopefully it has blown the cobwebs away.  The handicapper has dropped him to 93 and Steven Fox, who is a very capable claimer, takes off another 7lb. Off an effective mark of 86 with the ground and track in his favour Kilquiggan looks worthy of supporting each way at odds of 12/1.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.15 KELSO-KILQUIGGAN 12/1 E/W