THIS is Scotland, after all, so having had last week's card washed away by the rain, what's the betting today's meeting at Kelso runs into problems, not for the first time, because of a low lying sun?
Being unable to see the horse you've bet romp home is, admittedly, a minor inconvenience in comparison to being unable to see the horse you've bet not romp home, so just in case the sun really does get in your eyes, here's how today's meeting is goin
g to unfold.
Heez a Steel will reverse placings with his recent Jim Goldie-trained conqueror Bene Lad in the opener, and Flight Leader should help trainer Colin Tizzard pay for the copious amounts of diesel it must have taken to transport the eight-year-old from Dorset.
Mind you, given the price of fuel, there may not be much change to spare given the novice chase he contests is only worth £10,000.
That the maiden Divvy's Dream heads the weights in the novices handicap hurdle says much for the quality of the race as, despite the promise Peter Beaumont's grey has shown in a couple of outings, he hasn't come within touching distance of actually winning.
He may well do so in future but this afternoon's contest could see a battle of the brothers between Alistair and Donald Whillans. The latter's Beau Largesse finished in front of the former's Pay On the last time the pair met but the tables could be turned this time, although the latter's, assuming you're still with me, Bollin Ruth can ensure a score draw in the Whillans household by landing the finale.
Just one win from 14 outings isn't exactly the best strike rate but the selection continues to run well in defeat and one of these days, she'll be the bride rather than the bridesmaid.
The selling handicap chase could be won by any of the field, an observation I know that is not going to help you very much but when all else fails, why not try honesty?
Between them, the line-up has a combined age that makes them very much senior citizens of the equine world so no matter what wins, the auctioneer could well struggle to drum up a bid.
At 11, Slow To Part is one of the more mature members of the field but Kevin Morgan's charge has clearly not been the easiest to train given how infrequently we've seen him on a racecourse.
When he does put in an appearance however, he invariably runs pretty well and that could be good enough to see him prevail.
New Perk tends to hit peak form at this time of year and having travelled to the Borders track from Suffolk, Matt Crawley's mount is another who has pretty hefty travelling expenses to recoup.
He too, can make the long journey home seem slightly shorter by landing the three and a half mile handicap chase.
As nothing jumps out as a potential nap from the Kelso card, the best bet goes on Merrymadcap on the flat at Chepstow.
Malcolm Blanshard's gelding has shown consistent form on both the all-weather and grass and the fact the Lambourn handler has booked Ryan Moore to take the mount at the Welsh track could hardly be seen as a negative.
The full article contains 565 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
