NEWS

Evening Racing ar Kelso

Kelso’s only evening meeting of the year is scheduled for Wednesday 29^th April with the first race at 6 oclock.

For the last few years Kelso’s evening meeting has been a great social occasion with the emphasis on fun and charity fundraising.  The first social event is on Tuesday evening with the MS Quiz organised by Rhona Elliot.  Tickets are still available for this by telephoning Rhona on 01573 440268.  Last years winners Skybet from Harrogate are back to try and defend their crown but several people are getting together strong teams for this light hearted evening with supper and a quiz.

The fun continues on Wednesday morning with golf at The Roxburghe.  Teams are still being taken and your space can be reserved by telephoning Craig at The Roxburghe on 01573 450333 to raise funds for the Injured Jockey’s Fund.  Then onto racing where Radio Borders are promoting Cash for Kids Appeal which is such a worthy cause.

The feature race of the evening is the At the Races Handicap Chase with £10,000 added to the prize fund. At The Races has just produced their 2008 annual report which shows that the Scottish Borders National day ay Kelso had the 3rd highest viewing figures on their Sky Channel during the whole year.  The fact that this day was higher than the Saturday at Royal Ascot is a tremendous boost for the Borders track.  At the Races are sponsoring and sending a team up for the quiz and the golf clearly indicates the importance in which Kelso are held in the national media world.  Dianne Sayer's Getinbybutonlyjust has been a consistent horse for his connections over the years and may be joined in this by Nicky Henderson's Scots Dragoon.  Nicky Richards' Guns and Butter and Kate Walton's Huka Lodge are two other possibles. 

Another well known National Bookmaker, Skybet, sponsor the Novice Chase.  Skybet are best known for their noval bets and their overall innovation.  DaleTempest as Marketing Executive who featured so strongly on ATR at the Cheltenham Festival will make the presentations to the winning connections.  Natiain has been performing a little below par by his standards but Alistair Brown’s popular gelding might bounce back in this under the guidance of Stuart Coltherd. Peter Monteith’s Doc Row is another for consideration along with Ann Hamilton’s recent course winner Nile Moon.  

John N Dunn one of Kelso’s regular supporters are coming  to the Borders track  to sponsor the 2m6f Hurdle, these highly respected plumbing and heating engineers from Walsend also have outlets in Stockten, Leeds and West Lothian.  Stephen Bilclough is bringing a team of clients with him for the evening and will judge the best turned out and do the presentations.  Stuart Coltherd aims to send Tartan Snow on the short journey from Selkirk while Dianne Sayer intends to enter course winner Front Rank from her yard near Penrith. 

Andersons Farm Business Consultants who are based in Penicuik sponsor the 2m2f Novice Hurdle.  Andersons Northern are responsible for helping a huge number of farmers through the present agricultural recession and their reputation is second to none in the industry.  Peter Pitchford Senior Director will lead the team and make the presentations to the winning connection in what will be a very competitive novice hurdle.  Peter Monteith is a great supporter of Kelso all year round and he may enter both Solis and Signalman. Jedburgh-based Harriet Graham expects to be represented by Soul Magic. 

The Potassium Partnership (that wonderful syndicate from Hawick) have again very generously stepped in to take up a cancellation and have sponsored the Maiden Hurdle.  Sue Bradburne has run Art Bank once already at Kelso this spring and the six-year-old may take his chance again. Evelyn Slack has hinted at giving Yes Mate his hurdling debut while Peter Monteith is looking at entering Putitawayforayear for the third meeting here in a row. The last race on card at 8.30pm is the

Radio Borders Cash for Kids NH Flat Race.  The Radio Borders team will be broadcasting live during the evening and raising funds for “Cash for Kids” and they will be on hand to make the presentations to the winning connections.  George Charlton is a man to be feared in bumpers and he hopes to enter both Bogside and Jumby Bay. Harriet Andreo Bambaleo is another from the Harriet Graham stable while Peter Monteith’s newcomer Pearshaped was originally meant to be named Credit Crunch by owner David Johnson. 

Table places are still available for parties in hospitality and can be booked by telephoning 01668 280800 or by visiting are website at www.kelso-races.co.uk

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

NEXT RACE MEETING:    Wednesday 6th May     Gates Open: 12.20pm  First Race: 2.20pm