NEWS

Evening racing preceded by Festival of Fun- Wednesday 28th April

 

 
Kelso’s ever popular evening meeting is this year to be held on Wednesday the 28th April with the first race off at 5.50.

To precede the evening meeting Richard Landale, managing director of Kelso Racecourse will be leading a very daunting Charity walk along the St Cuthbert’s Way. Joined by Sky bets Dale Tempest and former Rugby International Doddie Weir together with a number of other fundraisers the walk will start at Holy Island on Saturday 24th and finishing at Melrose Abbey on Tuesday 27th. The walk is to raise money for The Borders Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis society and The Injured Jockey Fund, who will both benefit equally from the sponsored walk collection. Significant sums have already been raised but anyone wishing to take part or contribute to this worth while fund should please contact Rhona Elliot on 01573 440268 or the Race course office at Wooler on 01668 280800.

 The completion of the charity walk will be celebrated at the enormously popular and hugely entertaining evening quiz and charity auction hosted by Kelso Racecourse. Rhona Elliot has with great success organized this fantastic evening and it will be hosted by Mike Cattermole & Gordon Brown this year on Tuesday 27th April. This year the quiz will be more general knowledge then racing orientated so it appeals to a wider cross section- all flexing their trivia muscles, in an attempt to be crowned Quiz Champion. Further information can be obtained by contacting the racecourse office on 01668 280 800. All proceeds go directly to the Multiple Sclerosis Borders Branch. 

John and Lorna Irving have generously come in as first time sponsors for the opening Maiden Hurdle run under their Jedforest Deer and Farm Park visitor attraction.  John and Lorna have transformed the Mervinslaw Estate into one of the most popular family tourist attractions in the whole of the Borders. Selkirk-based Stuart Coltherd is entering his French-bred mare Quinine Des Ormeaux and neighbouring trainer Rayson Nixon could also be represented by Snap Decision.

 John N Dunn have been tremendous sponsors of the Border track. This is their fifth year at Kelso and they have taken the feature race, a £12,000 Handicap Hurdle run over 2m 6.5f.  Stephen Bilclough will be on hand to do the presentations on behalf of John N Dunn. John N Dunn have recently achieved huge acclaim for their policy to pioneer renewable energy, have recently taken over Sol 20 also a leading  pioneer of the green energy industry.  This is sure to keep John N Dunn at the forefront of their field for some time to come.  Stephen will make the presentations after the race where It’s Tough is a possible for Peter Monteith while Alistair Whillans is entering his recent Ayr fourth Dundock. Dianne Sayer’s Front Rank is another to consider along with Bruce Mactaggart’s Cassius.

 Timeform have recently taken over the production of the Kelso race cards and have introduced new innovations that have proved very popular, the Timeform form assessment is proving a very profitable bonus for Kelso punters.  Their printers, the Charlesworth group from Wakefield are bringing a party and sponsoring a race at the evening meeting to entertain their clients from the North of England and Scotland. Chairman David Boothman will be on hand to head up the evening meetings fun and entertainment and will also make the presentation to the winning connections of this 2mile 6f Novice Handicap Chase, Tartan Snow has plenty of useful form at Kelso and Stuart Coltherd is keen to run again. Alistair Whillans is likely to enter his March Hexham winner Dallas Bell while Peter Monteith’s St Killian’s Run is another contender.

 Well known local couple, Justin and Susan Greig, have agreed to the sponsorship of the third race an £8,000 Hurdle race to celebrate their recent marriage, look out for Peter Monteith-trained Los Nadis as owner Ian Dalgleish is trying his gelding back over hurdles. Keith Reveley’s Along The Nile could be back hurdling too after a successful spell on the Flat and he could be joined by Nicky Richards’ Palomar.

Radio Borders are once again raising a tremendous amount of money for Charity. There chosen benefactor this time is Cash for Kids. Cash for Kids was established to channel the caring of the local community into the welfare of their own youngsters. Cash for Kids deliver initiatives for sick and under privileged children in local communities, to benefit local children and give the neediest a better brighter future. The cash for kids umbrella collectively raised in excess of £5.8 million in 2008/2009 this tremendous Charity deserves huge support and the enthusiasm and energy of the Radio Borders team shines through with the work that they do to bring great benefit and exposure to this Charity. Radio Borders will have a strong presence at the racecourse with an outside broadcast taking place during the evening to help and contribute to this worth while cause. Ray Green, fresh from his fantastic Scottish National success with Merigo, is expecting to enter Peter Monteith-trained Corky Dancer, who hasn’t raced since making a winning debut at Kelso opening meeting of the season. Other possible include Willie Amos-trained pair Darna and Willie Hall.

In the fifth race on the card a competitive Handicap Chase Peter Monteith’s Not Left Yet is a possible for this along with Chris Grant’s Minster Shadow. Micky Hammond may enter Chernik as is the case with Sandy Forster with Justwhateverulike.

Evening racing is preceded by Kelso Races annual charity Golf competition at the Roxburghe Hotel. The Duke of Roxburghe has kindly consented to host the popular Golf Competition in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund on the morning of Wednesday April 28th. As always the golf competition prize giving will be held at Kelso Racecourse after the first race with all golfers receiving complimentary entrance to the course for the evenings 6 race card.

In addition to the MS quiz, Golf tournament and St Cuthbert’s Charity walk we are also pleased to welcome Grand National winning jockey Bob Champion to Kelso Racecourse on Wednesday 28th April. Bob set off from Ascot Racecourse on 18th April 2010 for an epic journey in aid of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and The Injured Jockeys Fund.

He will visit all 60 racecourses in Britain in 60 consecutive days, criss-crossing the country in a 10,000 mile marathon. Each racecourse, will be visited for a special event, and will have a race meeting on the day of the visit. Bob will arrange a special package for all the supporters who wish to join him and have obtained a pass for the Champions 60:60 Charity Challenge. At Kelso supporter’s of Bobs 60:60 Challenge will enjoy the evenings racing with Bob in one of our luxury hospitality suites, a special course walk with Bob and some other Jockeys riding on the night and a photo opportunity. The event website  www.champions6060.org.uk has all the information for people to find out more and to register for a place to join Bob at Kelso races

As always Kelso Races offer a range of superb hospitality packages starting from as little as £50 per head. Enjoy a relaxing supper followed by 6 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:  WEDNESDAY 5^th MAY