Long Run at Kelso

it is very rare to see a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner run at Kelso, but that is the case today when Long Run (Nicky Henderson/ Sam Waley-Cohen) faces 3 opponents over 3 1/4 miles here at 16.55 CET. Henderson has sent him on the long trip to the Scottish borders as the ground is better here and he needs a good performance after running below form so far this season. He is being aimed at the Grand National (for which he is second top-weight) and in theory has to win today, but we oppose him with CD specialist Knockara Beau (George Charlton/ Jan Faltejsek), although that one is rated 13 lbs inferior. Knockara Beau ran a great race over hurdles last time at Cheltenham, beating Big Bucks among others, and he is even better over fences, especially here.
Kelso stages a good card today and the 2 1/4 mile hurdle race at 16.25 has another strong field, including Duke of Navan (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding) who won this last year. He should go close again, but has to give weight to some useful types, including Special Catch and Upsilon Blue, but our main fancy is the mare Doyle Carte (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who has been chasing but is equally adept over sticks.
John Ferguson has his team - almost all of them ex-flat horses owned by the Maktoums- in good form and can take the opening novice hurdle at 14.55 with Rainbow Peak (Denis O´Regan), group class on the flat and an easy winner over hurdles last time. Ferguson does not have so many runners over fences, but Cayman Islands makes his debut in this sphere half an hour later and also has a chance it what looks a tricky llttle race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rainbow Peak - Master Red - Roc De Prince
2. Race: Croco Bay - Firth Of The Clyde - Cayman Islands
3. Race: The Panama Kid - Abbey Storm - Or De Grugy
4. Race: Upsilon Bleu - Duke Of Navan - Doyly Carte
5. Race: Knockara Beau - Isla Pearl Fisher - Heez A Steel
6. Race: Harbour Court - Douglas Julian - Captain Americo
7. Race: Lady Of Provence - Bespoke Lady - Knocklayde Express