A boost to the prize fund, a big bonus linked to Cheltenham and the switch to a handicap has transformed the Morebattle Handicap at Kelso, and the 18-strong field for the latest renewal on Saturday is two more than lined up for the past four runnings as a non-handicap put together.
Nicky Henderson has yet to add to his three winners of the race – at 4-11, 2-7 and 1-4 – since the conditions changed in 2021, but has an obvious chance this time around with the mare Under Control, the likely favourite and one of six horses in the field with an entry at Cheltenham in a fortnight’s time.
