REIVERS MOON (3.20) might be worth chancing at a potentially double-digit price in this afternoon's Kelso feature, the £14,000 Persimmon Homes Handicap.

There are precious few seven-year-old mares in training but as a rule of thumb it's often worth following such individuals since they're capable of significant improvement as a result of bulking up with age.

Reivers Moon certainly appears to fit nicely into that category, having won four races last term, including at today's venue over an identical distance, albeit over hurdles.

Results to date seem to suggest she's an even better chaser, which is a positive steer towards an each-way bet in the keenly competitive two-and-three-quarter-mile contest.

Reigning champion trainer Martin Pipe is a rare visitor over the Border but after a thoroughly miserable spell his horses are finally emerging from the doldrums.

In an attempt to make up for lost time, Somerset-based Pipe is sending his team hither and thither, with two such long-distance raiders being Milan Deux Mille (1.50) and Commercial Flyer (2.20).

Milan Deux Mille looked a useful prospect when winning an Exeter bumper, while Commercial Flyer racked up a sensational hurdling five-timer last term, form which puts him head-and-shoulders above the opposition for the Beginners' Chase.

If you're looking for a horse to put pace to the race, watch The Duke's Speech (2.50) in the two-mile Novices' Hurdle.

Tom Tate's flighty five-year-old blitzed his rivals with a powerful front-running effort at Ayr, a performance that couldn't fail to impress even the most sceptical of judges.

Still buzzing from the biggest training success of his career via Ungaro's victory at Sandown on Saturday, Keith Reveley could find himself returning to the winners' enclosure if Clouding Over makes the journey to Huntingdon worthwhile.

The sturdy grey has already posted one course-and-distance victory, experience which will stand her in good stead over obstacles which are not the most forgiving in the world.

From a purely punting point of view there's nothing like having a few quid on the winner of the first, which, hopefully, will be Emphatic (1.40), back on a winning mark after a long spell in the wilderness.

Jonny Portman's near veteran hinted he was staging some sort of recovery when fourth at Taunton recently, which, combined with the leniency shown by the handicapper, make Emphatic a solid selection for the Betfredpoker Handicap Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson's Afsoun (3.10) puts his Cheltenham Festival credentials on the line in the £25,000 Fen Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Mick FitzGerald's mount, a genuine Triumph Hurdle contender, has done little wrong in two starts to date over timber, notably beating Turko and Fair Along in a bruising battle at Prestbury Park two months ago.

* Both Kelso and Huntingdon are threatened by frost and must pass early morning inspections before racing is allowed to go ahead.

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