2:00 Kelso Tips

This is a competitive marathon, and I am siding with the fast-improving De Legislator. He is still lightly raced, shows a liking for Kelso, and comes from the all-powerful Russell/Scudamore team.

Maiden hurdle winner for Ben Brookhouse, who has made an unbeaten start to life with Dan Skelton, picking up wins here and at Chepstow. Big step up in trip to deal with, but the trainer knows the time of day, so will surely run very well.

GOLD CLERMONT has done well in staying chases down south over the years. With no disrespect to Andy Irvine, any horse switching to Olly Murphy can be fancied to improve. After wind surgery, the mare ran in a bit of a muddling four-runner race at Uttoxeter and was flying at the death to snatch second. That run makes her look notably well handicapped in my book, and I rate her the likely winner of this, the Borders National.

Neo King was a winner of three points but has yet to win under rules. He has finished 2nd in his last three runs. Last time he just failed to get up by a neck in the Southern National at Fontwell, having been 3rd over the last fence. The long journey from West Wales should be worthwhile, with a win from one pound out of the handicap, but Ellis Collier is taking off five pounds.

This horse looks to me like a proper out-and-out stayer. Looks sure to appreciate the extreme distance here and is a solid each-way bet.

An open affair, so Cadell, who likes Kelso and has won there twice this year, must have a chance even at top weight. He is up in trip to 4 miles for the first time, but all evidence shows he will stay that far.

President Scottie ran a good fourth at Ayr, and that was a fair run off 119, so this mark looks good here. He is knocking on the door for a win and he can stay this Kelso trip well and loves this kind of ground. The first-time cheekpieces feel a smart move here and Richards and McMenamin are a reliable combo with solid win and place strike rates. The pace should be honest enough for him to sit midfield, get into a rhythm, then keep plugging on past the tired ones late. So, this in my book makes him a strong each-way grinder today

A few with chances in this open looking race over this marathon distance. At the bottom of the weights, this horse can improve on just the 2nd run back from a rest. Outpaced over a shorter trip last time, may do better now moving up in distance. Small each-way tip

Fairlawn Flyer is trained by Mickey Bowen and it is 334 miles from Newport Pembs with one horse unless you have faith in him. He finished 4th in this race last year and has already had his rust??'removing race, where he did not do well, finishing 3rd of 6 in a Class 2, but everyone is allowed a blip. He won the Highland National at Perth in April over 3m 6½f, which is only a tad shorter than today. He scored a five-timer from March to June, twice when ridden by today's 5 lb claiming jockey Shane Feldon. Versatile, with wins on all grounds from Good to Heavy.

Hasn't pulled up any trees in his two starts (both here) since joining Sandy Thomson, but both were over trips likely too short for him these days. His trainer has an excellent record in this race, having won five times since 2014. He's 4 lb below when fourth in the Scottish National last term and won't mind the soft ground. Tongue tie goes on and a former champion jockey is in the saddle.

At his best, he'd be a strong contender off his current mark, having gained his sole success over fences off a three pounds higher mark on his last outing for Gordon Elliott. Fifteen consecutive losses for his current handler, running to a decent level only three or four times, so not one to be relied on. If on a going day, however, he could certainly outrun his huge odds.