Alan Thomson’s Tips: Diamond can sparkle at Kelso

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KELSO stages some cracking action if beating the weather and DONNA’S DIAMOND (3.35) heads the weights with a leading chance in the Edinburgh Gin Handicap Hurdle.

The gelding lined up for the Stayers’ Hurdle on the back of his gallant success over Agrapart in the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. Donna’s Diamond was by no means disgraced behind Penhill at Cheltenham and he will appreciate this return to handicap company. Callum Bewley takes off 3lb.

Kerry Lee despatched Kris Spin to score at Ayr in February when mastering Hello George and is sent north again with another victory under his belt, this time at Fontwell recently.

On a collateral line through Isaacstown Lad, little separates Kris Spin and Venetia Williams’s Eminent Poet, third to Big River in this race last year off a 2lb lower mark. All his wins have come on soft/heavy and he scored in game fashion at Wetherby last month.

YALA ENKI (3.00) is another fancied top weight and the southern raider is bidding to repeat last year’s triumph in the Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Chase over a gruelling 3m 2f on heavy ground.

Sandy Thomson’s Seldom Inn was sent off a warm 2-1 favourite 12 months ago but found Yala Enki too strong up the straight as the winner powered clear to win by seven lengths. Yala Enki returns to defend his crown for Venetia Williams but finds himself 12lb worse off with Seldom Inn.

However, Seldom Inn has looked a bit out of sorts so far this season and isn’t guaranteed to take advantage of his revised mark.

Yala Enki pulled a very long way clear of next week’s Grand National favourite Blaklion in a war of attrition at Haydock before running a respectable sixth to Coo Star Sivola in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, a blunder at the 13 th fence cooking his goose when still very much in contention.

Eider Chase winner Baywing finished fourth last year and although badly off at the weights here, his confidence will be sky-high.

TAXMEIFYOUCAN (2.25) was an impressive winner over course and distance in February and makes plenty of appeal in the Totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle.

The only four-year- old in the field, Taxmeifyoucan can build on his emphatic win over Sam’s Gunner, a winner next time out at Sandown. Keith Dalgleish campaigned Taxmeifyoucan expertly on the Flat last season, scooping a £62,000 handicap at Haydock (heavy) from John Gosden’s Face The Facts. He meets some hardened handicappers but appears to be progressive.

Brian Ellison has run Neitzsche in some of the toughest handicap hurdles of the season and this is a good bit easier off an easing mark.

TOMILY (2.05) can complete a quick hat-trick in a competitive 5f dash at Kempton.

Richard Hannon’s sprinter had the measure of A Momentofmadness at Lingfield a fortnight ago and came out a week later to score again at Kempton, this time over six furlongs. A Momentofmadness landed this event 12 months ago off a 9lb lower mark and enjoys a 5lb pull with Tomily on their
Lingfield run.

The French cleaned up in the All-Weather Championships at Lingfield and HUNAINA (3.15) crosses the English Channel with an obvious chance in the Betfred Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes.

The four-year- old ex-Irish filly possessed the tactical speed to land a four-runner affair at Chantilly last month over today’s 1m trip. Hunaina has a bit to find on official figures with Sir Michael Stoute’s Smart Call, last seen running seventh to Highland Reel in the 1m 4f Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

This is a big drop in distance, although Smart Call wasn’t beaten far when fourth to Ajman Princess at Deauville over 10 furlongs in August.

KINGS SHIELD (4.25) won on his sole start last season, beating Ostilio at Newcastle in November. The runner-up ran very well in defeat at Lingfield earlier this week so the form looks solid.

Johnb had three winners from four with Accomplice 8-1, Just That Lord 10-3 and Danz Gift 11-2 all winning. His Saturday tips have been added.

Recommended Bets

• Kelso 3.35 – Donna’s Diamond (4-1, Ladbrokes)
• Kelso 3.00 – Yala Enki ew (12-1, general)
• Kelso 2.25 – Taxmeifyoucan (100-30, Paddy Power, Coral)
• Kempton 2.05 – Tomily ew (5-1, general)
• Kempton 3.15 – Hunaina ew (6-1, McBookie, Paddy Power)
• Kempton 4.25 – Kings Shield (8-11, general)

Johnb's Saturday Tips

• Royal Randwick 6.50am – English 10-1 william hill eachway 1/5 odds 1-2-3
• Kempton 3.15 – Smart Call 3-1 ladbrokes NAP
• Uttoxeter 2.30 – Secret Legacy 9-4 ladbrokes NB

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