IT IS a sure sign that Malcolm Jefferson is back in form when you analyse his results.

After six winners in the previous six months, the Norton trainer has saddled six winners from only 17 runners in March, at a strike-rate of 35 per cent.

Those statistics could look even more impressive come the end of play at Kelso this afternoon.

Jefferson has taken a strong team to the Border course with long distance specialist Sun Cloud set to line up in the Liz Adams Memorial Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles.

A five-length winner at Sedgefield on his latest start, Sun Cloud has been raised 7lb for that success, but he remains on a competitive mark and, having only his fourth outing of the campaign, he makes plenty of appeal in the hands of Brian Hughes.

Grey Life could also oblige for Jefferson and Hughes in the Ashleybank Investments Reg & Betty Tweedie Handicap Chase.

Winner of four of his seven starts over fences, this bold jumping gelding ran out a decisive scorer at Carlisle on his latest outing and is selected to follow up off his revised mark.

Jefferson saddles Oscar Rock in the £22,500 John Smith’s Novices’ Handicap Chase, but much as this Newcastle winner is respected, Oscar Fortune, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, is marginally preferred.

Dougie Costello’s mount came good on his fourth chasing start at Haydock last time and the jockey was of the opinion that he was a horse who could have a say in the novices’ handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

As it was, he didn’t turn up at Prestbury Park, but his presence here will ensure that Oscar Rock and the useful Stopped Out, will not have things all their own way.

Jefferson introduces an interesting newcomer in Gully’s Edge in the Best Small Racecourse National Hunt Flat Race. A son of Kayf Tara, it would be no surprise to see him go close. But Imada, successful on his debut for Nicky Richards and a horse held in some regard, is expected to take plenty of beating, despite having to shoulder a penalty.

Also worth noting at Kelso is the Brian Ellison-trained Racing Europe in the featured £25,000 Thakeham Handicap Hurdle.

A bumper winner and also successful over hurdles at Catterick, Racing Europe finished a good fourth against hardened rivals at Haydock last time and is fancied to produce an even better show now that he steps up to a marathon three miles and three furlongs.

Back in early February, Tony McCoy shocked the racing world at Newbury by returning on his 200th winner of the season and promptly announcing that he was planning to retire at the end of the season.

McCoy, whose farewell tour since has taken him to all four corners of Britain, returns to Newbury this afternoon and has particularly good prospects on Financial Climate in the Ultima Business Solutions Silver Jubilee Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old has struck form with a vengeance lately for trainer Oliver Sherwood and has won his last two starts at Chepstow and Sandown.

He has climbed only another 4lb in the handicap, which puts him in with a big shout in this long-distance affair.

The nap vote is awarded to Hannah’s Princess in the EBF & TBA Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Handicap Finale.

A useful performer in bumpers last season, Hannah’s Princess has taken time to get her head in front over hurdles this term, but she delivered in style at Doncaster three weeks ago on her first outing over two and a half miles. She has a little further to travel this afternoon, which is in her favour and, from the foot of the weights, is fancied to lift this valuable prize for the in-form Warren Greatrex and Gavin Sheehan.

Storm Force Ten finished a dozen lengths behind the unbeaten Peace And Co in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham on his most recent start. The winner has since won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Now into handicap company in the first time, Storm Force Ten has major claims off a mark of 123 in the £40,000 Doom Bar Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Sam Waley-Cohen has the mount on the Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old.

Kelso today: 1.45 Discoverie, 2.15 Sun Cloud, 2.50 Racing Europe, 3.25 Oscar Fortune, 4.00 Grey Life, 4.35 The Cobbler Swayne, 5.10 Imada.

Newbury today: 1.25 King’s Tempest, 2.00 Rebel Rebellion, 2.35 Hannah’s Princess (NAP), 3.10 Financial Climate, 3.45 Storm Force Ten, 4.20 The Unit, 4.55 Village Vic.

Today’s other meetings: Bangor, Fontwell and Stratford.