2026 Premier Novice Hurdle Betting Odds at Kelso racecourse

Saturday, 28 February 2026

There are any number of horses who can land a victory in the Premier Novices’ Hurdle, with a handful of runners trading at single figure betting odds. Chart Topper runs for the esteemed Willie Mullins, with the six-year-old having been on point in his past couple of races, although this encounter at Kelso will certainly take some winning.

Good And Clever goes for Warren Greatrex and he’s another six-year-old who can produce a positive showing, with the horse having been in the frame several times this term. Vanderpoel is another interesting runner and there could be more to come from Dedicated Hero, while Castle Carrock has landed successive wins.

2025 Premier Novices’ Hurdle Tips

The going is set to be good to soft at Kelso Racecourse on Saturday for an encounter over two miles and two furlongs, with the Premier Novices’ Hurdle being a Grade 2 encounter which looks wide open. Chart Topper was a winner at Wetherby at the end of January, with the horse obliging at even money when triumphing by four and a half lengths.

This came after a success at Downpatrick back in August and further improvement is expected here, although Good And Clever has been a strong performer this season and there was a solid showing at the Dublin Racing Festival. Finishing third in the Grade One Novice Hurdle was no mean feat at odds of 16/1.

Previously to this, there was another impressive display when sent off at 28/1 in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle, with the horse only finishing seven lengths behind short-priced favourite Potters Charm. The runner has been hitting the frame regularly this term and this was borne out by a runner-up spot in a Maiden Hurdle at Newbury Racecourse.

There are some other talented six-year-olds lining up and Vanderpoel will be looking to add to his string of victories this time around, with Ben Pauling training a six-year-old who was successful at Ludlow last time out when sent off as the strong favourite. This came after a New Year’s success at Huntingdon and there could be more to come.