Quite an interesting juvenile hurdle featuring plenty of in-form horses and several interesting newcomers, and as the pace was a sound one, the form should work out. KARELIAN, a decent performer on the Flat in France, stepped up on his debut run at Kelso. He travelled well and stayed on for pressure from the second-last. He can win again.

Nation State made a bad mistake at the third but jumped well enough apart from that and kept on well. He probably ran to near his best and time may prove he faced a stiff task conceding weight to the winner.

The same remark applies to Pay Attention, who ran her usual game race but may need a stiffer test of stamina now she is up in grade.

Reem Two slightly lets the form down, as she had been beaten in two ordinary races before this. However, she has clearly improved, as the rest of this form looks solid, and she can win a small race.

These five were clear of Flat stayer Penny Stall, who kept on without getting into it and shaped well enough on this jumping debut to suggest she can win a novice event, particularly when given a stiffer test of stamina.

Apart from Pending, who faded after racing up with the pace, nothing else got into it, but several should improve. Not Left Yet failed to build on his run at Taunton last week but wasn't knocked about and is likely to be seen to advantage in handicaps.