RACING returns to Kelso this afternoon with Morebattle Hurdle day.

Highlight of the day is the Morebattle Hurdle (2.25) raced over two miles and two furlongs.

Donald McCain is having a resurgent season and we think his Chti Balko will land the spoils here. Will Kennedy is in the saddle as he was for his career highlight - winning a class three hurdle on his penultimate start at Haydock under similar conditions.

This looks a close race and a case can be made for Dame Rose, Cyrus Darius and Better Getalong.

Dame Rose won a good race at Newbury and is given a chance off bottom weight.

Cyrus Darius will have to carry top weight to victory but he will like the predicted heavy going having won on it previously.

Nicky Richards is in good form and he sends out Better Getalong. He’ll have his backers after his win last time out but we suspect he is not quite this level to get his head in front.

Katgary makes up the field who is another that just seems just a bit below the standard required.

Whilst the Morebattle Hurdle is the highlight of the day the meeting gets going with a class three mares novice chase (1.25pm).

Rons Dream looks well ahead of the others and sets the standard in the race. She was edged out at Bangor-on-Dee recently and Peter and Sean Bowen will be hoping for another big run. T Top weight Elusive Theatre has been good over hurdles this season and has a second crack at chasing in this. She won on her previous outing at Ayr and won on her chasing debut. Lugging this weight around in these conditions will be tough so it will need a high class performance to take the honours.

Next up is a novice hurdle for the Novices Championship Hurdle Series (1.55pm) race over 2 miles. The top two in the weights jump off the page as the two to be backing.

We prefer Mcgowan’s Pass for Sandy Thomson and jockey Danny Cook. He was considered good enough to be entered in a grade two race recently so we think returning to this level will see him return to winning ways.

Sam’s Gunner will no doubt push him close but we prefer Mcgowan’s Pass’ previous form on heavy ground.

Following the Morebattle Hurdle is another class two Ivan Straker Memorial Chase (3.00pm) over just short of three miles.

We are backing Richard Hobson’s Shantou Flyer, ridden by Jonathan Burke. He has recorded two second place finishes on his last two outings and he will be hoping to go one better here. They were both in top class races so a repeat of either of those performances will surely see him in the winners enclosure here.

Lucinda Russell sends out Big River off bottom weight, ridden by Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox. Whilst he has recorded a victory this season we think he is some way behind our selection.

The Brewin Dolphin Handicap Hurdle (3.35pm) is next up and it seems any number stand a chance. We plump for Rowdy Rocher for the in-form Sandy Thomson who may run well at a big price. He has dropped 4lbs from his last run and he is on a very winnable mark. He relishes testing conditions and jockey Rachael McDonald takes off a valuable 7lbs.

Planet Nine will have his backers after winning last time out. Landecker seems to like it here having won here on a number of occasions and Bruichladdich has finished second on his last two occasions.

The penultimate race on the card is a hunters chase (4.05pm) just short of three miles. This will be tough going and Cultram Abbey has won in these conditions previously. He has been notoriously difficult to win with of late but we think he may have found his opportunity here. His trainer, Nicky Richards, is in great form having two winners recently.

It looks like Al Co and Sire Jack Yeats will be his main rivals with both winning last time out. We think they both have a bit to find with our selection and we think with Richards’ stable in such good form it is hard to ignore Cultram Abbey.

The last race on the card is a national hunt flat race (4.40pm) with a number of newcomers and unraced horses. On breeding we fancy two that have been previously seen in public, Dr Hooves and Hitman Fred.

We go for Dr Hooves for Luncinda Russell’s ridden by Fox. He was expensively purchased and bred well - he came second at Musselburgh on his last run to a well-fancied rival.

Rose Dobbin has had four winners from her last nine so Hitman Fred will come here in great condition. He finished second last time here at Kelso and he lost by the smallest of margins so will be looking to go one better this time.

1.25pm - Rons Dream

1.55pm - McGowans Pass

2.25pm - Chti Balko

3.00pm - Shantou Flyer

3.35pm - Rowdy Rocher

4.05pm - Cultram Abbey

4.40pm - Dr Hooves

This preview was written by the horse racing experts at Accadoo - the home of free daily horse racing and football tips, plus exclusive free bet offers.