Keatley believes his mare can be Belle of the ball at Kelso

Adrian Keatley expects the hat-trick-seeking Surrey Belle to continue her progression in the £100,000 Ladbrokes Herring Queen Series Final Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday.

A three-time winner on the Flat for Hughie Morrison, the five-year-old had to make do with the runner-up spot on her first two starts over hurdles but has made no mistake on her last couple of outings.

After opening her account at Uttoxeter, Surrey Belle put her rivals to the sword with a 57-length demolition job at Newcastle four weeks ago and Keatley hopes a long-term plan will come to fruition in the Scottish Borders this weekend under Brian Hughes.

He said: “She was impressive in her last couple of wins and she’s improved rapidly with her jumping.

“There was an Irish maiden hurdle winner in her race the last day (Drusilla, finished third) and everyone keeps telling me how good the racing in Ireland is!

“She has 12st on her back, but she gave away loads of weight the last day and she’s a big, scopey filly who should be well able to carry the weight.

“We’re happy with her and this is a race we’ve had in mind for a long time. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully she can go up there and get the job done.”

Surrey Belle heads a field of 12 declared runners, with Fergal O’Brien’s Northern Air, the David Pipe-trained Walkadina and Barrabool from Harry Derham’s yard among her biggest threats.

Wyenot will be a hot favourite for the Ladbrokes ‘Big-Value You Can Bet On’ Mares’ Hurdle.

The six-year-old has enjoyed a fine season for Henry Daly, winning a handicap at Cheltenham and a Listed prize at Doncaster before placing third behind Irish raider Jetara in the Grade Two Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle on her return to Town Moor in late January.

Dropping back to Listed level for this extended three-mile contest, Wyenot is clear of her rivals on ratings, but Daly is not counting his chickens before they hatch.

He said: “Hopefully the ground is good, as that will suit her well and the trip is fine, all the bits and pieces that you know about and I know about.

“I’ve been very happy with her since Doncaster and I just hope I don’t end up with egg on my face. We’ll see how it pans out.”

Wyenot’s opponents include Keatley’s Gale Mahler, who completed a six-timer with an impressive Listed success at the Galway Festival last summer.

However, she seemingly had her limitations exposed in graded races at Cheltenham in the autumn and was disappointing in a Haydock handicap on her most recent appearance.

“I don’t think the three miles will be any problem to her. She handled it well in Musselburgh a couple of starts back when she was second and her last race probably came a bit soon for her,” Keatley added.

“She’s in good order and looking a million dollars. Obviously the favourite is going to be hard to beat, but we’ll be there or thereabouts trying to get our head in front.”

Kelso’s card also features a couple of £30,000 finals for the Go North Series.

A competitive field has assembled for the Ladbrokes Go North Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle, with Sandy Thomson’s likely favourite I Am Max taken on by several last-time-out winners, including Nick Alexander’s Ayr scorer Ballyfort and Phil Kirby’s Catterick victor Achnamara.

The concluding Racing Post Go North Jodami Series Final Open National Hunt Flat Race is also an intriguing affair, with record-breaking amateur Patrick Mullins a notable jockey booking for Derham’s course and distance winner Kiwi Rush, as he takes on two once-raced winners from Lucinda Russell’s stable in Humble Jumble and Out Of The Woods.