NEWS

 

Kelso’s Penultimate Meeting of N H Season

The penultimate meeting of a tremendously successful season at the Border track is to be staged on Wednesday 5th May with the first race at 2.05 pm, gates open at 12.05pm.  The feature race of the seven race card is the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel Novice Chase for the Haddington Jubilee Cup.  John Wallace the proprietor of the Hotel, which has such a tremendous reputation in the Borders, benefits greatly from travelling race goers through the season and has generously sponsored this race.  The Dryburgh Abbey Hotel is one of the Borders most popular country house wedding venues. A stunning riverside location and 10 acres of private grounds with the distinctive historical backdrop of the world famous Dryburgh Abbey ruins, ensures that the hotel offers a truly unique wedding venue. A race won 12 months ago by Simon Shirley-Beavan’s Minouchka, Stuart Coltherd could be represented by Tartan Snow.  Lucinda Russell’s Phone In may get an entry along with the James Ewart-trained Quick Will

David Forsyth, of Forsyths of Wooler- the highly respected agricultural merchants have also joined the ranks of Kelso race sponsorship for the first time.  David Forsyth who also has an outlet at Acklington Mart, has had a long connection with the horse and racing industry. David has built up a thriving business through hard work and providing extremely competitive prices for a wide range of agricultural and equine products.  David will make the presentation to the winning connections after the Novice Hunter Chase in which Sandy Thomson could send Benbeoch from his Lambden yard while Ian Jardine might run Old Rolla, an early faller on his recent trip to Kelso, Gavin Hamilton’s My Final Bid is another that needs to recover from a heavy fall in the Buccleuch Cup.

Cheviot Marquees have been the official providers of marquees at the Border track for a considerable number of years. Proprietor Francis Furness provides a unique detailed, personal service which cannot be bettered. Cheviot Marquees offer a proficient and effective service, on site work is carried out by a professional and experienced crew ensuring high standards are maintained.  This popular Eyemouth firm pride themselves on being able to adapt and fulfil the customer’s needs with extensive ranges of marquees, hire products and accessories for every conceivable occasion. Dr Valentine may get an entry in this from his trainer Ann Duffield and so too may Willie Young’s If Ever. Rayson Nixon’s Snap Decision is another possible.

David Meek, the Landlord of the Fleet Bar in Eyemouth is a strong supporter of the racecourse and sponsors the Handicap Chase over 3m 4f which is one of the longest Chases staged at Kelso.  The Fleet Bar is hugely popular with both locals and tourists in Eyemouth “a small yet welcoming delight and gem of a pub with a friendly atmosphere” is how it has been described.  David will be on hand to do the presentations after his race where Evelyn Slack may run her evergreen 11-year-old I’m Your Man while Rhona Brewis could be represented by Crackadee who is the same age. Andrew Crow might send recent scorer Old Noddy on the short journey from Jedburgh.

The Nicholson family, who are highly respected in the Edinburgh electrical trade are Kelso regulars and extremely loyal sponsors. They have generously agreed to sponsor the very popular Selling Handicap Chase, which is the first race on the card.  The selling Chase is a rare addition to Kelso’s season and attracts huge interest at the Auction afterwards. Robert Johnson normally supports this race and his Newcastle raider Lindseyfield Lodge is a possible. John Dixon’s Crofton Arch is another that could make the line-up.

The Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, the second race on the card, is sponsored by SIS and David Bradshaw is coming up from London to represent SIS who are the distributors of Kelso’s racing pictures. SIS feed pictures to home and International markets, pictures of Kelso’s races are beamed into new outlets in Moscow and gradually expanding throughout Russia, as well as the Far East and parts of Australia. James Ewart may be tempted to run Devil Water while Ron Bewley could enter Suajana. Keith Reveley’s mare Heavenly Chorus is another possibility.

Kelso’s new race card printer, Timeform from Halifax have generously agreed to sponsor the final Handicap Hurdle off at 5.25pm, they very much hope that one of their Syndicate horses will run in the race.  Timeform were founded and made famous by Phil Bull and they now produce various horse racing publications that are vital for serious form pundits who are interested in both National Hunt and Flat seasons.  Their Timeform ratings in the race card have greatly improved the success rate of the purchasers of each day’s race card.  Simon Walker from Timeform will be on hand to do the honours after what promises to be a very competitive handicap hurdle. Stopped Out won well for Kate Walton at Kelso in April and a repeat bid could be on the cards. Maurice Barnes-trained Patriot and Nicky Richards’ Premier Sagas and two others to consider.

Kelso’s initiative of offering reduced admission for the last “Three Wednesdays” has proved successful, this is part of a new “Racing for Change” initiative that the racing industry is making to open the sport up to a wider audience and encourage new race goers to discover and enjoy horse racing.

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 seven 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 19^th May “The Finale”