Knight fancied keep his Kelso rivals in check

Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell is enjoying her best ever season, and Clondaw Knight looks capable of defying top-weight and providing her with another success in the novices’ handicap chase at Kelso today (2.15).

Perth-based Russell broke the record for the most Scottish trained winners in a season when Lone Foot Laddie won at Carlisle on Saturday to surpass Len Lungo’s total of 63 set back in 2002/03.

In Clondaw Knight she has a lighly-raced chaser who looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip to this afternoon’s 2m 6f.

A former point-to-point winner in Ireland, the six-year-old came good at the first attempt over fences when landing a 2m 1f novices’ handicap chase at this venue back in November.

The son of Heron Island then ran well to finish third at Doncaster over 2m 3f off a 12lb higher mark before disappointing slightly last time out at Haydock when third over 2m 4f.

The handicapper has dropped Clondaw 2lb since that run, and that may well be enough to see him return to winnings ways with the further step up in trip expected to suit.

Robin’s Command posted his best effort over fences when runner-up at Sedgefield last week and holds leading claims of going one better in the 2m 1f handicap chase (3.55).

Rose Dobbins’ gelding kept on well to be beaten 2 1/4 lengths after pulling hard in the early stages at Sedgefield, and gets into this contest off the same mark of 71.

The seven-year-old does have to race from 1lb out of the weights, but that is offset by the 5lb claim of his highly promising pilot Craig Nichol.

Nichol has done nothing but impress this season, and Robin’s Command looks a worthy favourite to provide him with win number 22 of his blossoming career.

Brian Ellison trained runners always command the utmost respect, and Mubrook looks worth siding with in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle (4.25) having become dangerously well-treated.

The nine-year-old showed a good attitude to score a long overdue success at Ayr last April off a handicap mark of 116 and is now racing off 7lb lower.