Kelso racing tips: North Parade and Les’s Legacy looks useful in wide-open handicap

16:00 Kelso: Go North Cab On Target Final Handicap Hurdle (2 miles 5 furlongs)

If the betting market is a reliable baromete, then early favourite Eire Street should take all the beating after winning his last two outings at Carlisle and Ayr in February, the manner of which suggest his eight-pound rise should not hamper his chances of completing a hat-trick.

His relatively short-price has left all of his 15 rivals holding potential each-way value, especially with five (and even six if you shop around) places up for grabs.

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We could make a case for several of them, but it is Sue Smith’s nine-year-old North Parade who stands out after an impressive winter campaign that has yielded three wins, a second and a third in his last five outings.

He had only landed one win in 14 appearances before being teamed up with promising claiming jockey William Maggs in October, and once fully introduced they promptly reeled off a hat-trick of impressive wins at Newcastle, with the second and third successes overcoming incremental hikes in the weights.

North Parade has been mixing in more esteemed company in his two most recent outings, but the manner of his runner-up performance behind the short-priced favourite at Haydock last month suggests that the handicapper has still not fully caught up with his potential, despite now being 24lbs higher than his first winning mark.

The seven-pound claim that Maggs brings to the saddle should keep him competitive in this company, and they are sure to put themselves in the mix for a yard that won this race two years ago.

Next best: North Parade each-way in the 16:00 at Kelso

• Tip advised by The Outsiders on Tipstrr

At a similar price, but arguably further under the radar, we find Les’s Legacy, whose three hurdle wins last year included this very renewal off an identical mark.

He began this campaign with a couple of decent runner-up spots at Hexham last summer, but had been off the boil since returning from a five-month break until showing a glimpse of his best form at Newcastle last time out a month ago.

Although no match for the short-priced favourite, Les's Legacy responded well to being shaken up three out, and kept on well to pull clear of all but the well-backed winner.

Edward Austin returns with the same five-pound claim that proved useful that day, and it would be no surprise to see the seven-year-old put in another strong performance here.  

Suggested best bet: Les’s Legacy each-way in the 16:00 at Kelso

• Tip advised by Interesting Method on Tipstrr

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