Six horses to follow on Saturday from our experts

Tipster: Gavin Beech.

Best odds: Evens.

Six runners will head to post for the Mares’ Listed hurdle and although she has to concede a small amount of weight all round, the 138-rated Wyenot looks a standout candidate. 

The key to her chance is that she won’t be hindered by a small field plus the possible lack of pace scenario because she is more than capable of making her own running, and performing to a high level, as she showed when winning a similar race to this at Doncaster in December. 

She arrives here fresh having had a couple of months off, and she won her sole start at Kelso in 2023. The ground conditions will also suit, and she should win.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 9-2.

Sandy Thomson’s lightly-raced gelding is definitely one of the least exposed in this competitive field and can land a decent Saturday prize. 

Thomson targets Kelso probably more than any other trainer, and doesn’t often leave a meeting without a winner. 

I Am Max has run very good races to finish second in two decent handicaps recently and even though he has gone up 5lb for his excellent Haydock effort, he still looks as though he can win off this mark on only his fifth outing over hurdles.

He is improving with each run and has not finished out of the frame over hurdles, so looks pretty solid. Ryan Mania gets on well with him, too.

Tipster: Johnny Ward

Best odds: 100-30.

Tipster: Martin Dixon.

Best odds: 11-4.

Stuart Coltherd must have got frustrated with Flash Du Pistolet, given it took him ten runs to win a race having made such a promising start in novice hurdles last season, but he made no mistake with an all-the-way success at Newcastle last time out where he jumped impeccably and always looked in command.

Now he's on the right path over fences, I'm confident he remains a very well handicapped horse after a 6lb rise in the weights. He's run well at this track before and, with several of his rivals arriving with a point to prove after lesser efforts, I think he could be tough to beat if given a similarly bold ride to last time.

Tipster: Ross Millar.

Best odds: 14-1. 

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

Best odds: 11-2.

This consistent performer has run well in defeat in some useful handicaps at this track this season following his victory at Wincanton in November and although it may appear as though he is in the grip of the handicapper, I think the key to his chances is the step back down to an extended two miles.

Although he has won over 2m4f, his recent efforts have hinted that trip on softer ground hasn't been ideal, and he finished second behind a well-handicapped rival in a better race than this over course and distance on his latest start over this trip. 

He is now off a pound lower rating and his best efforts certainly suggest he's capable of scoring off this mark, especially with Ben Bromley taking off a useful 5lb again. 

Javert Allen is open to improvement and has already attracted plenty of support, so looks the one to beat, but Beau Balko clearly relishes this track and ticks plenty of boxes. He will also appreciate the drop in grade having contested the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup last time out, and Paul Nicholls nominated him as his best chance of a winner on Saturday in his Betfair column, which is another positive!