WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY
Morebattle Hurdle Day
Gates open 11.40am
1st Race 1.40pm
NEWS
Ladies Day at Kelso
Ladies Day returns to the Border track on Sunday 29th March with the with the first race of at 2.10pm. The fixture has grown in popularity and is always a magnificent display with everyone making a real effort to wear their very smartest outfits.
The Daily Record have put their name to the overall sponsorship of the day and the interest started this weekend with the judging of the Best Dressed Window which was won by Tweedside Tackle. The contest was keenly contested and this year it was judged by the Kelso public. The first 150 lucky ladies through the gate will receive an exclusive goody bag. There is a competition for the Best Dressed Lady for which the winner will receive a VIP trip to York races Ladies Day including hospitality and accommodation at the Park Inn. There is also a competition for the Most Stylish Hat and the winner will receive a £100 voucher for BellaB in Berwick. The feature race of the day is the Birthday Handicap Steeple Chase sponsored by Bedmax. This Belford based company is one of the greatest success stories of Northumberland industry and was recently granted a Royal Warrant and have also opened a second factory in Nottinghamshire. Chief Executive Tim Smalley will be on hand to do the presentations in a race that is going to be run for the Wilfred and Patricia Crawford Memorial trophy which a magnificent bronze sculpture by Philip Blacker. Crackadee has winning course form at Kelso and is the star inmate of Rhona Brewis’s Northumberland yard. Alan Mactaggart’s Royal Mackintosh has yet to win at the Borders track but that statistic could change on Sunday. Harry Hogarth is one of the most underrated trainers in the country and I know he thinks a lot of recent Haydock winner Shrewd Investor.The Kings Own Scottish Borderers are Kelso’s oldest and most loyal sponsor, with the winner receiving a Regimental Spode Plate. Lieutenant Colonel George Wood has co-ordinated this years sponsorship and there is to be a very strong turnout of member’s of the regiment for their annual raceday. Middleham trainer Patrick Haslam would appear to have his sights set on this as he’s entered a trio comprising Green Day Packer, Hi Dancer and John Dillon. It will also be interesting to see what Len Lungo runs between Banoge and Cote D’Argent.
There is also an Army connection to two of the other races on the card with SSAFA Forces Help sponsoring the Handicap Hurdle through the generousity of Johnathon Jones Chief Executive of SPAR,a well known National Retail Outlet. Unfortunately Johnathon Jones can not be present on the day, but this Forces charity will be represented in what promises to be a competitive 2m2f Hurdle race. Jimmy Moffatt struck with impressive Chief Dan George here the other day and he has Quatro Pierji and Sea Storm in this and the opening novice event. Sue Smith has her horses in cracking form and the Bingley trainer is represented by Karmadice and Description.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards make up the third element by sponsoring the Hunter Chase with a very valuable £5,000 prize fund. Major General Charles Ramsey will be on hand to make the presentation on behalf of the Dragoon Guards. The vastly-experienced Richard Burton has developed a useful association with Caroline Robinson’s Shropshire raider Whistling Straits while Peter Bowen’s Take The Stand was runner-up to Kicking King in the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup. A Boy Named Sioux (Tim Reed) and Minouchka (Mrs Simon Shirley-Beavan) are based nearer the course in Northumberland and Bonchester Bridge respectively.
The Scarth Family have been long standing supporters of the Border track and return for their annual visit to Kelso by sponsoring the Eric Scarth Memorial Novice Hurdle. John Scarth and Ann Oliver represent the highly respected Haltwhistle building firm and will do the presentations to the winning connections. Ray Green’s Eider Chase hero Merigo, trained by Andrew Parker, may use this as a stepping-stone to next month’s Scottish Grand National. Ian Williams struck at the last Kelso meeting and the Alvechurch trainer may be represented again with Hunters Ploy.
Berwick Speedway are using Kelso Racecourse to promote and publicizes the speedway venue in Berwick, that is proving so popular for regular speedway fans. Julia Jones and Linda Waite will jointly judge the best turned out and do the presentations after the event. Maurice Barnes, the man aboard Scotland’s only Grand National winner Rubstic 30 years ago, has entered two ex-Flat recruits in Still Calm and Weetfromthechaff. Lynsey Kendall, based at Scotby, near Carlisle and in her first season as a permit-holder, should go close again with recent course runner-up Nonotreally.
The day finishes with a Open Bumper which is very generously being sponsored by Douglas Pryde and it will be run as a Memorial race for his great friend and associate Duncan Sinclair. Douglas Pryde is a new sponsor at Kelso and this highly respected Independent Financial Adviser from Bo’ness in West Lothian has horses with Lucinda Russell. Len Lungo has withdrawn Arctic Court twice recently so it must be a tip if he’s finally allowed to make his debut on Sunday. Malcolm Jefferson is worth noting in these races so keep an eye on Gilbarry and a similar comment applies to Alan Swinbank with Pyracantha. The very popular Platinum Packages in the Tweedie Stand are still available for our April meetings. These packages can be booked online at www.kelso-races.co.uk or by telephoning 01668 280 800.For more information:
Richard Landale: 01668 281041
Jen Young or Trish Spours: 01668 280800
NEXT RACE MEETING: Monday 6th April Gates Open: 12.30pm First Race: 2.30pm