The Shunter heads new-look Morebattle with late festival pointers still possible

3.15 Kelso
bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (Class 2) | 2m | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Those who bemoan the ease with which top horses can avoid one another will surely applaud the fact the Morebattle Hurdle has reverted to a handicap, with the race having previously been a platform for some bloodless victories at cramped odds – as well as Zaynar's famous defeat in 2010.

It might have been thought the days when the race was an influence on Cheltenham were over as a result, but favourite The Shunter won the Greatwood in November and would probably head for the festival should he win – he holds no fewer than five entries. There is also a £100,000 bonus on offer if he, or any other horse, can do the Morebattle-Cheltenham double.

The Shunter's mark has gone up just 7lb for winning the Greatwood and finishing third in a strong handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival. That, as well as Solo's tumble in the handicap from 157 a year ago to 141 today, hint towards a recent change among the BHA's handicapping team. Long-serving 2m hurdles handicapper David Dickinson has made way this winter for Andrew Mealor. It is supposed that Dickinson would have been harder on both horses.

Solo is more than just a belatedly well-treated horse. His career-defining Adonis win (145 on RPRs, incidentally) and best run this year both came over 2m on fast ground off a break. Following eight weeks off, he gets those conditions again and is one of four rides for Harry Cobden on what is something of a surprise visit to Kelso.

Plenty of other big 2m handicap form is represented, most notably through Christopher Wood and Hunters Call. Either might have run in next week's Imperial Cup and it will be interesting to note how the new-look Morebattle affects that race in years to come.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Christopher Wood and Solo
Christopher Wood won nicely last time and, although he has gone up in the weights since, should run well. Solo has been a bit of an enigma this season. He’s been maturing and growing. He’s on a nice mark, and could also go well.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Voix Du Reve
He's gone up again after his last run when second and we've decided to give him a bit of help and take off 7lb. He'll like the ground.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Faivoir
We’ve had this race in mind for a long time. It’s the next step up from his Haydock win. His form has been franked and there are no negatives.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Hunters Call
He’s unlucky not to have won a nice handicap since his Southwell victory last summer. He’s been a model of consistency and the drop back in trip will suit him. It’s a fabulous prize and he holds a solid each-way chance.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Scardura
He's in great form. He's been chasing, but has a lot of speed, so we thought we'd give him a go over hurdles first time after a break.

David Pipe, trainer of Night Edition
We could do with softer ground, but there's a lot of prize-money on offer. The ground dried out too much for him at Newbury and we've left the hood off him this time. We think he might be able to pick up one of these big handicaps one day.

Mark Walford, trainer of Orkan
We’ve always thought a lot of him, but he didn’t show it during the early part of his career. He’s got his act together now, and this is the right time to tackle better opposition.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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