Can classy chaser Elvis Mail stamp his authority off lower hurdles mark?

Thursday: 4.20 Kelso
William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle | 2m5f | 4yo+ | RTV

It may be harsh to suggest a horse who has won five of 19 starts has become disappointing, but Elvis Mail landed five wins in his first 12 runs and is without a victory in his last seven.

Elvis Mail appeared to have a bright future over fences when overcoming a series of sloppy leaps to win on his chasing debut at Ayr in November 2020, but he didn't improve on that in five subsequent starts over fences and his return to hurdling this season has underwhelmed.

He is on a handy mark from which he was successful over fences, but he is rated a 5lb better chaser than hurdler by the BHA and was beaten off this rating over hurdles here last time.

Nick Alexander: runs Elvis Mali in the Kelso featureCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

That was over two miles and he appeared to be done for pace, but most of his best form has come short of this intermediate trip and he needs to prove he is fully effective at it.

Famous Bridge is going the other way in terms of distance. He drops a furlong and a half in trip after being caught on the run-in by Ned Tanner at this course last time. Ned Tanner is trained by Nick Alexander, who runs Elvis Mail, so Alexander has a line on Famous Bridge.

Saint D'Oroux makes his debut for Stuart Crawford, having been under the care of Gordon Elliott and Denise Foster. Crawford has a 17 per cent strike-rate in Britain this season but is 0-15 in the last fortnight and 0-22 with horses who have switched trainers since their last run.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Nick Alexander, trainer of Elvis Mail
It will be interesting to see if he stays two miles five; he stays two miles four, so we're hopeful. I'd hoped he'd win last time but he ran very well and he got a little stuck in the very tacky ground. The better ground should suit him well.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Voix Du Reve
He still retains ability and has needed some help from the handicapper, but he's got that and has been given a wee chance. We're claiming off him with Tom Midgley and he seems to be a good lad.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Aurora Thunder
She's run some good races round Kelso and her last run was one of her best. She's probably best nowadays in a better race with a lighter weight and that's why we're claiming off her.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Famous Bridge
He's a lovely horse, typical of Mr Hemmings in that he's a chaser in the making. He's not done a lot wrong since we've had him and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. The handicapper seems to be giving young horses a chance to be competitive and we'll see if he's right about this one.

Evan Williams, trainer of Voodoo Doll
He doesn't have much room in his mark but he seems to be suited by good ground, a feather weight never does any harm and I didn't want to see a track like Kelso putting up good money like that and not supporting it. He's never had the blinkers on before and that could help.
Reporting by David Carr

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