736-mile round trip: Anthony Charlton’s first ever Kelso runners form 24-1 double

The cost of even getting a horse to the races these days is substantial so you would assume that connections would want to minimise costs as much as possible. That’s not the case at Kelso on Friday, as Wiltshire-based Anthony Charlton is set to send two on the 736-mile round trip.

These two runners therefore have some significance so we’ve combined them into a 24-1 double. You can check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

2.25 Kelso

Alnilam (11-4, bet365) has had one start so far and it was a reasonable effort, finishing fourth at Newbury. He took a particularly keen hold that day and it’s no surprise that he weakened on the run-in. Bradley Harris was on board and the partnership is maintained here.

Maidens and novice hurdles at Newbury tend to be useful form pointers and he would have learnt plenty from the experience. If settling better here, he should be capable of putting in a stronger finishing effort. This isn’t the deepest of novice hurdles and it’s a cracking opportunity to get off the mark.

2.55 Kelso

Ilanz (6-1, bet365) has a solid record over hurdles thus far and has won three of his seven starts over timber. He got off the mark in good style on handicap debut at Market Rasen in December 2022 and bolted up at Taunton next time out.

Charlton’s six-year-old was victorious again at Wincanton last month, on his first start for almost a year, and he’s entitled to improve physically. It wasn’t missed by the handicapper however and he’s been whacked with an 8lb rise.

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