NEWS

 Strong Finale at Kelso 

Kelso Racecourse bring down the curtain on what has been a mixed but very successful season with their last meeting on Wednesday 20^thMay  with the first race at 2.25pm.

A total of 12 meetings have been staged at the Border track with a disappointing run in the middle of the season when one meeting was lost before Christmas and two after, but one replacement fixture was granted in March.  One of the highlights of the season is that Kelso have moved into third place amongst the 31 tracks on At The Races Sky service with a peak viewing figure of 418,000 people.  

This meeting usually rounds off the season in great style and Wednesday’s card promises to be as good as ever with three new sponsors in the 6 race card.

The feature race is sponsored by Hunter Property Management, the up and coming Edinburgh Fund Managers who are beating the recession and recently launched a spectacularly innovative new property fund.  Mark Hunter, the Chairman, will be on hand to do the presentations.  Barry Murtagh may decide to retire Hollows Mill after what will be his 82nd appearance. He's been to Kelso 12 times before and managed to finish third three times. Another possible is Jimmy Walton's home-bred mare Watch The Wind. 

Another new sponsor is Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, who sponsor the Novice Chase and a team of 6 are coming over from Ireland to do a hard sell on English and Scottish owners and breeders.  They will be led by Daithi Harvey in what promises to be a very competitive event. Sue Smith enjoys her trip to Kelso and the Bingley trainer could run either Work Boy or Pass The Class.  Camptown's Harriet Graham may try again with Indy Mood, who was brought down on his last short trip to the track. 

Scott Coppola are one of the real regulars at Kelso and they sponsor the first contest at 2.25pm.  This highly respected Edinburgh firm will be represented by Darren Coppola who is entertaining a strong team of clients.  There are likely to be plenty of entries for this and Hawick-based Alastair Whillans may pencil in Miss Toozy Betsy and Sparkling Zola. Jim Barclay's Vallani is another possible.

 John Stephenson, the well known Berwick owner, who has had such a run of success is very generously returning some of his prize money by sponsoring under his business of Stephensons Photographic, in what is always a very competitive Conditional Jockeys 2m2f Hurdle.  He and his wife, Christine, will be on hand to do the honours after their race.  Oleolat was a last minute withdrawal from his intended run at Kelso at the last meeting and Willie Amos will be hoping to get him to post this time. Newsky Bridge was disqualifed after finishing first past the post at Hexham recently and her Cumbrian trainer Martin Todhunter deserves a change of luck. 

The fifth race on the card is a 2m6f Hurdle with a total prize fund of £8,000 on offer.  In this race Maurice Barnes has his string in great order and Follow On would be an interesting contender. So too would be Sue Smith's Work Boy. 

As usual the season is rounded off by the Charlie Brown Memorial United Border Hunters Chase which has been won by some very good horses in the past and the Brown Family will again be on hand to present the Challenge Trophy.  Trish Robson, whose uncle is George Charlton, enjoyed her first success under Rules with Senora Moss at Kelso's last meeting and the Otterburn mare may bid for a quick follow-up providing she hasn't come into season. Clive Storey's Hasper, beaten 22-lengths last time, may reoppose the winner. 

As part of The SEIB Borders Festival of the Horse the racecourse is offering a behind the scenes tour commencing at 12 noon.  As places are restricted, advance booking is necessary please ring Jen or Trish to reserve your tour and £10 ticket (includes paddock admission) on 01668 280 800.

For more information:
Richard Landale: 01668 281041
Jen Young or Trish Spours: 01668 280800 

NEXT RACE MEETING:    Sunday 4th October  Family Funday