STICK with SEVERANCE in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (3.15) at Kelso.
The move to turn the two-miler back into a handicap has worked dividends, with a competitive 11-runner line-up that includes two-time Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air and Grade 1 victor Metier.
The Ben Pauling-trained Severance has yet to reach those lofty heights of achievement, with one success to show from six attempts over timber.
After wide-margin defeats in handicap hurdles over two miles and five furlongs at Cheltenham and Wetherby on his first starts this season, the son of Nathaniel showed up well back in trip at the home of jump racing.
Backed into 5-1 for the opening race of Cheltenham’s Trials Day card in January, my selection came off worse by half a length to Cormier.
Severance opposes his rival on 1lb worse terms as he seeks to take the £51,440 first prize back to Gloucestershire
Pauling has booked the services of incoming champion jockey Brian Hughes and their runner has plenty more to offer at the minimum trip.
GLEN FORSA can build on a recent return to form in Newbury's BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase (1.50).
Three winters ago, the son of Mahler was going places as a novice chaser for Mick Channon, winning three times on the bounce before capsizing at the fourth fence of the Arkle Challenge Trophy won by Duc Des Genievres.
Glen Forsa then embarked on a losing streak - he moved from Channon to Charlie Longsdon before his return to action this season - that had stretched to 12 by the time Lorcan Williams’ mount took on seven rivals at Musselburgh.
Stepping back a couple of furlongs to two and three-quarter miles, the ten-year-old hit the front at the second last fence before stretching clear to beat Cool Mix by five lengths.
The British Horseracing Authority assessor has raised my selection 5lb to a new rating of 134, but that’s still 20lb shy of his peak figure – and Glen Forsa is poised to strike again.
Earlier on Newbury's card, PRIME VENTURE is a big player in the Play Pick 6 And Win £1000 Veterans' Handicap Chase (1.15).
The 11-year-old has already captured a big pot for the old timers when landing the veterans’ final by nine lengths on Sandown Park's Tolworth Hurdle undercard.
The Evan Williams-saddled son of Primary didn't match that form over hurdles when seventh of eight behind Ballyandy at Chepstow last time.
But the return to the larger obstacles - not to mention the likelihood of a decent stamina test - should allow Prime Venture to show his true colours.
ESPOIR DE ROMAY looks a worthy favourite to get his career back on track by beating six opponents in Kelso's Listed bet365 Premier Chase (2.40).
The outcome of Aintree’s Mildmay Novices' Chase had yet to be decided last April when Espoir De Romay came down at the penultimate obstacle, thus handing the Grade 1 prize to Chantry House.
The Kim Bailey trainee ran below expectations when third to Fiddlerontheroof in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle in October.
Going back up to three miles is a plus for a horse who still has his best days ahead of him.
Laura Morgan is having her best season and the Leicestershire handler’s BOLD ENDEAVOUR should not be underestimated in the Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle (1.32).
The winning point-to-pointer has yet to taste defeat in three outings under Rules, following a ten-length supremacy in a Sedgefield bumper last May with a five-and-a-half-length hurdles debut score at the Co Durham venue in November.
After two months off, Bold Endeavour went in again with a 12-length call from Escapeandevade at Wetherby in the middle of January and Fame And Glory's son is a long way from the bottom of the barrel as he steps up in class.
Having come to grief two out here at the beginning of last month, FAMOUS BRIDGE is expected to gain compensation in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle (2.05).
A winning start in the handicap sphere had looked on the cards at the time of his departure and a 1lb rise in the weights is neither here nor there.
SEEMORELIGHTS has the ideal conditions to give another good account of himself in the bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (3.43).
In Doncaster's Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (3.30), LE MILOS looks ripe for a hat-trick.
The Tim Vaughan-trained son of Shirocco hasn't looked back since being allowed to tackle three miles, following a return-to-the-fray second at Exeter in November with a win at the Devon course on New Year's Day and a follow-up at Sandown Park five weeks later.
The assessor has put Alan Johns’ partner up 4lb for his head defeat of Deise Alba in Esher, but the first two were clear of the third horse. Le Milos is capable of another personal best here.
Also up for a three-timer is MISS FAIRFAX, who merits a step up in class for the Listed Virgin Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2.20) after comfortable successes at Exeter and Catterick Bridge on her last two outings.
Top weight CHEDDLETON bids to concede his opponents 3lb and more Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (2.55) - and can prove up to the job.
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