SO here we go. The first meeting behind closed doors in Britain takes place at Kelso on Monday.

For now, the show goes on and let's make the most of it while we can. The Mares' Novice Handicap Hurdle (3.40) is where we go.

The racing is nothing to write home about, but Fergal O'Brien looks to have sent a winner in waiting up to the Scottish track. Even if there'll be no one there to see it.

PROPER TICKET has been brought steadily along by the Cheltenham trainer and makes the long trip up to Scotland following an encouraging fourth in a Warwick Novice last time out.

An opening mark of 108 looks very feasible, especially considering the strength in depth to this race with only seven declared.

The Warwick form looks head and shoulders above this and a sterner test will also suit her.

As always, these southern raiders tend to be well-handicapped on these long schleps up the country and the booking of runaway jockeys' championship leader Brian Hughes does nothing to dispel that line of thinking.

There look to be two dangers, and the main threat could well be the lightly-raced Chanting Hill from the in-form Nick Alexander team.

She's another to make her handicap debut, and two runs behind the likes of Desaray Girl and Aurora Thunder is decent enough form at this level.

I'd watch the betting with her as she runs off what could prove a generous mark of 102.

Ruth Jefferson also looks to have a decent hand to play with her Blossoming Fourth.

She was well beat last time out at Newcastle, but had shown hints of potential prior to that. She's yet another on handicap debut, and again the betting is worth keeping an eye on.

It's hard to make a case for Raddle And Hum who has already found life tricky in handicaps, while Atlantic Dancer has looked a work in progress so far.

Fergal O'Brien and Brian Hughes should deliver the goods here. Stick with that team.

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