Double scorer Ned in good form for bid to land hat-trick

4.20 KelsoNSPCC School Service Handicap Chase | Class 2 | 2m1f | 4yo+ | RUK

Simply Ned, who won this race in 2014 and 2015, will have a new rider on board when he makes his fourth successive appearance in Kelso's NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase.

Ryan Day takes over following the retirement of Brian Harding and he should be in for a great ride as Simply Ned bids to make amends for last year's thwarted hat-trick attempt, when just failing to give 25lb to the front-running Theflyingportrait.

Despite racing off his lowest mark since coming out of the novice ranks, he doesn't look to be losing his ability as he followed last year's second by splitting Fox Norton and Special Tiara in Cheltenham's Shloer Chase, before struggling in top-level contests including the Champion Chase.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: "This race has got better by the year and I doubt there will be a better two-mile handicap chase in the North all season.

"Simply Ned has summered well and enjoyed a good preparation. The first half of the season seems his best time – he's fresh and well.

"The owners like to give younger jockeys a chance and Ryan is a very good rider with plenty of experience. There will be a few wanting to go on, but we'll sit in behind and the faster they go the better."

Brooke's anniversary

It's a year to the day since Henry Brooke was airlifted from Hexham with potentially life-threatening injuries, and there could be no better way to celebrate his remarkable rehabilitation than by winning this on Wisty, who is three from three over fences.

Brooke is in "top form and feeling good" and said: "Wisty is a fun-filled ride and there's not much time to think when you are on him. I'm looking forward to seeing where we are with him."

What the others say

Brian Ellison, trainer of Forest Bihan
He's got to give weight away to some nice horses but it's a good starting point for him. He's in good form and working well, so we're hoping for a big run.

Micky Hammond, trainer of Just Cameron
He's come to hand sooner than last season and we're looking forward to getting him out. He'll be fine on the ground, and he's run well at Kelso before. It's a competitive race, but we expect him to run well.

Alan O'Keeffe, partner of trainer Jennie Candlish
He'll probably find it a bit tougher as it's a hotter renewal and he's higher in the weights, but he won well at Aintree and the ground has been against him since. He doesn't want it too soft.

Matt Sheppard, trainer of Rock On Rocky
He's in good order. We could have gone to Fontwell, but the ground at Kelso should suit him better and he'll be our first runner at the track. He was sore after Aintree in April but he's schooled well since and we wouldn't be going all that way to take on good horses if we didn't think we could get some prize-money.

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