NEWS

 

COUNTRYSIDE RACE DAY AT KELSO

 

The Border track stages its third Countryside Race Day on Friday 20th November with the first race off at 12.15pm- Gates are opening at 10am. Kelso are keen to make Countryside Day as popular as possible and have selected a range of supporting events and attractions that compliment the seven race National Hunt card adding to the atmosphere of this exciting, diverse day.

Kelso are thrilled to stage a Hound Show that will take place before racing in the Parade Ring from approximately 10.30am. Kelso are extremely lucky to have been so well supported in this fantastic event, which has attracted some of the best packs in the Northern area to compete for attractive prize money. There will also be demonstrations throughout the day from World renowned Fly Fisherman Alastair Gowans, “Animal Man” James McKay, The Border Hound Trailing Association and Falconry expert Robert Allott.  Full details and timings of all the events will be featured in the Race card available on the day.

The feature race of the day is the Ashleybank Investment Reg and Betty Tweedie Novice Chase with a total prize fund of £10,000.  David Stevenson of Ashleybank Investments has very generously sponsored this race to commemorate the magnificent contribution of both Reg and Betty Tweedie, who gave so much to Kelso racecourse as Chairman and Patron over very many years. Tim Walford’s Sheriff Hutton could return to Kelso after his close third over course and distance recently. Minouchka, a mare trained at Bonchester Bridge by Simon Shirley-Beavan, has plenty of winning form under Rules and in point to points so could prove to be a tough challenger.

Lloyd New Holland are a new sponsor to Kelso, they have branches in Throckley, Bishop Auckland, Alnwick, Dumfries, Carlisle and Penrith as well as their flourishing branch at Kelso. This highly respected agricultural machinery dealership has been rewarded with a very competitive race.  Eddie Allan, Dealer Principle at Kelso, will be on hand to make the presentations. No northern jockey is riding better than Brian Harding at the moment and he is reunited with Allan Mactaggart’s Royal Mackintosh, after the partnership gained their fourth win together at Carlisle recently.  Denis O’Regan is back riding this week after his broken collar bone injury and Howard Johnson has him booked for Top Dressing, who also has entries at Aintree and Musselburgh over the weekend.

Another new sponsor is David Merry, a leading farrier in the Borders. David has kindly sponsored the competitive Maiden Hurdle, the first race on the card off at 12.15pm. Fresh from a treble at Newcastle last Friday, Clovenfords’ Ryan Mania has been booked by Rob Bewley for the ride on Harrys Double. Mini Beck, bred by former Kelso chairman David Thomson, has been runner-up twice this spring and represents his Lambden son Sandy.

Andy Purdon is sponsoring a race to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday, hence the race title, which rounds off Kelso Countryside Days seven race card. Cross Kennon has won four of his last five starts and the Jennie Candish-trained, Staffordshire raider would be an interesting contender under top-weight. Qbuster, trained by Sharon Watt, who has her base near Scotch Corner has two solid recent efforts at Hexham to his name.

Dennis Coppola, the well respected Edinburgh business man who is a stalwart of Peter Monteith’s stable, sponsor the Novice Hurdle in the name of Louis Coppola who is his Grandson. Jimmy Moffatt’s Lisbon Lion who was a late withdrawal at Newcastle recently, may be worth keeping an eye on. This ex-Flat recruit is set to make his hurdling debut with Wilson Renwick on board. Malcolm Jefferson struck at the last Kelso fixture and is represented by Young Buddy.

 

Kelso is thrilled to welcome another new sponsor Biotal Ltd to our weekday fixture, Managing Director Tim Pollock will be flying up from Cardiff for the day to make the winning presentations.  Biotal Ltd is a leading supplier of forage and animal nutrition technologies within the UK and Ireland. They have been rewarded with an open betting contest which sees Campbell Gillies back in action after his nasty spill at Aintree, he looks to have a nice ride on Chris Grant’s Double Vodka. Little Bob could make his debut over fences for Perthshire owner Robert Gibbons.

Dougie Stevenson of Scotdisc returns for his eighth year of sponsorship at the Border track and is this year promoting Pop Scots, a Scottish disco CD that will be hugely popular at Christmas  - a “must have” for everyone having a party over the festive period. Brian Ellison’s Dontpaytheferryman could seek his hat-trick after recent strikes at Fontwell and Carlisle for conditional jockey Kyle James. Blazing Desert could make his first appearance for Malton trainer John Quinn having been previously with Alan King.

As always Kelso Races offer a range of superb hospitality packages starting from as little as £50 per head. Enjoy a relaxing lunch followed by 7 thrilling National Hunt races, If you are interested in making the most out of your days racing contact the Racing Office on 01668 280 800 for further information and bookings.

 

For Further Information:

 

Richard Landale :      01668 281041

Louise Grey :             01668 280800

 

 

Next Race Meeting:

 

Sunday 6^th December  “John Smiths Scottish Borders National Day 2009”