Can the classy Silver Hallmark enhance Fergal O'Brien's cracking Kelso record?

Racing's Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase | 5yo+ | 2m5½f | RTV

If you were asked to name the trainers with the best strike-rate at Kelso then names like Ruth Jefferson, Keith Dalgleish and Ann Hamilton would roll off the tongue.

However, those three don't even come close to the record boasted by Fergal O'Brien at the Scottish Borders track.

He has struck with six of the 14 runners he has sent from his Gloucestershire base and he will be represented by Silver Hallmark, who makes the 309-mile journey to contest this.

Silver Hallmark was pulled up when market leader for the Rowland Meyrick last time, but he was well found in the market there because of his good fourth in the Colin Parker at Carlisle.

That came under 11st 8lb when he was conceding 12lb to Pay The Piper, who finished nine lengths ahead of him in second. The pair reoppose here with Silver Hallmark 9lb better off.

If that doesn't prove the right line of form, then maybe The Mighty Arc will provide it.

The lightly raced seven-year-old has steadily improved his Racing Post Rating on each of his six starts and posted yet another career best when winning cosily at Sedgefield a month ago.

Champion jockey elect Brian Hughes has ridden The Mighty Arc on both of his last two starts and retains the partnership, despite having been associated with several of his rivals.

Hughes has ridden both Empire Steel and Clan Legend on their last starts and partnered Pay The Piper in two of his last three runs. Maybe it is significant that he is on The Mighty Arc.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Richard Hobson, trainer of Riders Onthe Storm
He's not the best traveller but if he gets a good journey I think he has a big shout. He's been calling out for the hood, he's been so gassy in his races. He hurt himself at Cheltenham last time at the bottom of the hill and he was quite lame after the race, but we've got him right and he's in great order.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Silver Hallmark
It was three miles on heavy ground last time, he prefers to be ridden forward and we couldn't do that against good handicappers. Dropping back in trip we can ride him more prominently. He's in good form and I'm looking forward to running him back over two and a half miles.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Empire Steel
He was unfortunate at Wetherby and we don't know quite what happened at Haydock. This looks a nice race to get him back on track hopefully. It's a shorter trip but the ground has come for him and he's a lovely horse.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of The Mighty Arc
It's a strong race with fantastic prize money and he's the unexposed horse, getting a lot of weight. He's up in grade against good horses and it's his Gold Cup. He's got to improve a bit but hopefully there might be room for that improvement.
Reporting by David Carr

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