Monday's fixture at Kelso will take place with only essential personnel being allowed to attend. The Scottish government have decided to limit outdoor gatherings to be restricted to less than 500, so in an attempt to delay the spread of Coronavirus no members of the public will be allowed to attend. Thankfully the outcome of a horse race is not at all dependant on crowd atmosphere unlike other sports such as football and boxing which heavily rely on it, so racing from that point of view will be unaffected.
We take two to Kelso on Monday, Raddle And Hum runs in the two miles and six furlong novice handicap hurdle at 3.40.pm. Up until her last run at Catterick back in January she appeared to be going the right way, having finished a very promising second at Wetherby on Boxing Day. It is likely that at Catterick she didn't stay the extended three miles, so this drop back in trip should suit. The race is a minefield full of unexposed novices running on very heavy ground. Craig Nicol who rides all of the Straightline Construction owned horses takes the ride.
Our other runner is Ex S'Elance in the 4.40.pm, ridden by his regular jockey Alain Cawley. He ran right up to his best at Wetherby back in January finishing second to Pola Chance, so it was disappointing to see him never get competitive last time at Sedgefield, but after being checked over by the vet it was reported that he was lame and coughing. All being well on Monday he will hold every chance in what doesn't look an over competitive race.
Good luck to all of the connections.