NEWS

Final Fling Race Meeting at Kelso Races

 

Kelso Races opens its’ gates for the first time between Christmas and New Year, celebrating with a great seven race card and also a festive feast of admission offers for all race goers.

 

Race goers who brought entrance badges for the race meeting on Sunday 4th December will be granted admission for only £5 if they present their paddock slip or members badge on arrival at the gate. All students will receive admission for only £5 on production of a valid NUS card, and the race course will be opened into one enclosure at one price of only £13 on Thursday 29th December.

 

The racecourse may have reduced entrance price for the day, however it has not reduced the quality of the card- race goers are in for post Christmas pre New Year treat at the Border Track.

 

Gates open at 10am with the first race kindly sponsored by Totepool and will be off at 12pm. The National Hunt Maiden hurdle sees  Lucinda Russell hoping to give Rhymers Ha’, owned by borders businessman Geoff Adam, his first spin over hurdles while John Wade is entering Runswick Relax. Nicky Richards is choosing between Getting Ready and recent Carlisle scorer Kings Canyon.

 

The Ashleybank Investments Reg and Betty Tweedie Novice chase is kindly sponsored by David Stevenson to commemorate the tremendous contribution Reg Tweedie gave to Kelso Races for over 20 years as Chairman and Patron. The Two mile Six and half furlong chase may see  Lie Forrit, trained near Hawick by Willie Amos, be the star attraction as he bids to build on an impressive chasing debut success at Kelso on December 4. Amos said: “I don’t want to run him on very heavy ground and he’s come out of his race very well. I was over the moon with his win after such a long lay-off and it was a great start because there are plenty of big races to dream about in the future.” Possible opponents for Lie Forrit include Moon Indigo (John Wade) Bold Sir Brian (Lucinda Russell) and Dowd’s Destiny (Nicky Richards).

 

The third race on the card is kindly sponsored to celebrate a Special (secret) Birthday of a popular local businessman.  Lucinda Russell is hoping for a much better run from the Kelso Members Lowflyers horse Great Wisdom, who didn’t enjoy conditions at Carlisle recently. Nicky Richards is also looking at the race for dual winner Simply Ned and Tutchec

 

Timeform have generously sponsored the feature handicap chase on the card off at 1.35pm. Timeform, the internationally renowned printers who produce the celebrated “Racehorses Of” will present the winning mementos to connections of this competitive chase. Co. Durham-based John Wade is hoping to keep his good run going with Knockavilla, one of several ex-Howard Johnson horses he has purchased. Nicky Richards-trained Sundown Trail, owned by J P McManus, could make his chasing debut while Lucinda Russell’s Pena Dorada is another to consider

 

The Maitland Carew Family have had a long association with Kelso Races and are also celebrating a Special Birthday at the course. Cumbrian trainer Dianne Sayer is a regular visitor to Kelso and she could be represented by Miss Abbey while Lucy Normile may be entering Strobe.

 

The penultimate chase on the card is once again kindly sponsored by Timeform and this would be an ideal opportunity for Stuart Coltherd’s Tartan Snow to step up in trip after a cracking third at Haydock recently. Runners trained by Sue Smith are always to be feared and You Know Yourself may try and make amends for his fall in the Monteith Memorial Champion Chase early in December.

 

The final seventh race off at 3.20 is generously sponsored by totepool and has as always attracted a competitive field, Steve Knight of the tote will be on hand to present winning connections with their mementos after what promises to be a competitive race. Tap Night, owned by Peter Buchanan’s sister Jane, is being aimed at this after his strike at Carlisle last month. Kate Walton’s Allbarkanobite is another possible entry.

 

For further information on race day packages – which are available from as little as £40 per person on Thursday 29th December, advanced booking discounts and ticket offers visit www.kelso-races.co.uk or call the racing office on 01668 280 800.  Weather and going reports will be frequently updated on Facebook/KelsoRaces or on twitter @KelsoRacecourse