IT IS the big day of the national hunt year at Kelso with finals afternoon across the board through several categories at the Borders’ track and with the ground drying out all the time the best bet could be MOUNTAIN MOLLY (1.30) in the Betwright Handicap Hurdle in the final of the Go North Cab On Target Series.

The Russell/Scudamore mare comes here with only eight runs under rules and is one from five over timber. However, she didn’t take to fences on two of those starts, but when returned to timber last time out ran a race full of promise when beaten six-and-a-half lengths on pretty soft ground at Ayr. This much sounder surface looks sure to play to her strengths and the handicapper has dropped her back down to her original rating of 106. Furthermore she has a lovely turnaround at the weights with her conqueror at the West of Scotland track Eloi Du Puy and with the enhanced each-way terms on offer from the bookies the daughter of Mount Nelson looks worth an interest at those big odds.

Khrisma will make the market in the Betwright Herring Queen Series Final Mares Novices Handicap Hurdle. The Nicky Henderson-trained top weight put up a career best by some way at Market Rasen last time out and looks sure to go well again.

However, I am quite happy to let her go and win at the best part of even-money and the play against her to reach the frame at the very least has to be OUR PEGGY (2.10). The Joe Tizzard-trained runner is set to receive a massive 21lbs from the Seven Barrows runner and a fast run over this trip should suit her down to the ground if Brendan Powell can get his partner anchored in midfield before using her turn of speed as late as possible up the final climb to the winning post.

Cadell will try and defend his title from 12 months ago in the Remembering Duncan Davidson Handicap Chase, but will have to do so from a higher mark and on the back of three pulled up efforts on his last four starts. This is of course a relative drop in grade for the top weight, but I think that he may well struggle giving 21lbs away to the bottom weight BLAKEY BOY (3.13). The selection will only be stepping out over fences for the fifth time in his career and recorded a career best win when waltzing clear of his rivals over three miles at Ayr last time out. Being 2lbs out of the weights shouldn’t prove too harsh and he can outstay his rivals in receipt of so much weight.

The opening Betwright Beeswing Mares Listed Hurdle looks to have plenty of strength in depth to it and STAR WALKING (1.00) looks set to take advantage of her upwardly mobile profile. Harry Fry’s charge has the advantage of coming here fresh and although she has plenty to find at the weights with the top four in the market, she has already made significant steps forward this term culminating in a strong finishing success in a class two handicap at Kempton Park last time out from Holly Hartingo. By my figures she would need to improve by 7 to 10lbs to again, but I think that is entirely possible given her breeding and recent improvement.

The mares take centre stage at Newbury with the British European Breeders’ Fund Mares National Hunt Limited Handicap Hurdle. Fergal O’Brien bids to win the race for the second successive year this time with Strong Run and there is little doubt that she is fairly treated off a mark of 116. But an even better value wager could come in the form of the locally trained FRESH AS A DAISY (3.00). This daughter of Kapgarde is still learning the game but there was plenty to like about her second to Indannya at Warwick last time out when she ran just a bit too freely in the opening half of the race. The winner has since cemented the form at the same track and the selection is just preferred to the likes of Betty’s Daisy and Edith Pelham.

The Handicap Chase has been won by some top class handicappers down through the years and Scarface looks sure to run well again having finished second 12 months ago. But at the weights KNAPPERS HILL (2.25) can finally come good again. The Paul Nicholls’ trained charge was rated as high as 153 over hurdles, but hasn’t really cut the cloth over the larger obstacles with only one win to his name in a weak renewal of the Rising Stars at Wincanton. Since then, his handicap mark has dropped 11lbs and on this likely spring ground here he should be in the thick of things from flag fall.

Nicholls can initiate a double with his lightly raced GRAND VENDETTA (1.50). This son of Flemensfirth looks sure to appreciate this extra yardage even though two and a half miles will suit better in time. He won despite hating the heavy ground at Taunton last time out and I fancy that his current handicap mark of just 120 may only be scratching the surface with him.

On the all-weather front, GAELI (4.38) and LILLY LUX (5.13) should both run very well. The first named made a winning British debut over the course and distance since coming over from Italy to Marco Botti and should be capable of winning a Group race as we go through 2026. The latter has been given a right old chance by the handicapper and if she relaxes through the early part of this 11 furlongs contest I think that she can give the weight away to Velvet Red.

At Newcastle, my main fancy is JKR COBBLER (8.30). This course and distance winner needs a fast pace to aim at to bring his relative stamina into play over this stiff six furlongs and there looks to be plenty of pace on here so expect 5lbs claimer Cara Tuke to bring him through late on land her fourth career riding success.