Kelso Preview: Prosecco set to sparkle

Prosecco got back to winning ways last time out and looks decent value to follow-up in the 3.00 at Kelso today.

Trained in Perth by Lucinda Russell, the gelding showed a game attitude to beat Cloverhill Lad by 1/2 a length over 2m at Carlisle on soft ground last month.

The handicapper seems to have been lenient in putting him up 2lb for that success to a mark of 114, and he is still 4lb lower than when scoring at Wetherby in December 2012.
The 12-year-old was landing back-to-back successes that day, and went on to be placed off 124 in a class 3 contest at Ayr.

That suggests he should be really competitive in this class 4 contest, and with conditions fine and Peter Buchanan in the saddle a huge run looks assured.

Russell also looks to have leading claims of landing the 2m 6f handicap chase at 5.00 with Lady Of Verona.

The seven-year-old failed to win over hurdles but has shown improved form since tackling the larger obstacles and opened her account last time out with a smooth success at Hexham.

She made all that day and stayed on strongly to win by seven lengths, and the manner of her victory suggests that a 10lb rise in the weights may not be enough to stop her going in again.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy makes the long journey north to partner three for Cheshire-based handler Donald McCain and looks to have every chance of landing a double.

His first mount is Katachenko in the opener at 2.00, and the gelding looks a worthy odds-on shot to follow up his recent success at Musselburgh.

He made all to cruise home by 12 lengths that day, and looks only to have to put in a clear round today to collect.

McCoy’s other big chance is on Sealous Scout in the handicap hurdle at 3.30.

The seven-year-old won a bumper at Bangor last season, but has failed to get his head in front in four starts over hurdles.

However, he has shown enough to suggest that there are races to be won with him and this is a weak looking contest which represents a great opening for him to exploit.