NEWS

Family Funday starts new season at Kelso on Sunday

The eagerly awaited new season of National Hunt racing at Kelso starts at the Border track on Sunday 5^th October with the very popular Family Fun day, gates opening at 12 o clock and the all free fun fair and Extreme Buggies will be in action straight away.  Extreme Buggies is an exciting new innovation and will provide a real thrill for the budding Lewis Hamiltons who want to try their hand at the dirt track.  All the usual attractions including pony rides, face painters, a magician, stilt walkers, a donkey display and all the other fun of the fair.

The Border Principal Race kicks off proceedings at 1 o' clock and will be followed closely by the two Pony Races at 1.20 and 1.25.  There are fourteen entries for the Border Principal Race and it is expected to be more competitive than ever with Ben Graham the Hawick Cornet vying with Adrian Gaychak the Kelso Laddie for favouritism.  Quietly fancied is the Selkirk Flag bearer, Guy Blair whilst Susie Anderson, the Reivers Lass from Duns is one three lady riders who are all fancying their chances to beat the men.  John Smiths have again provided very generous prizes of a large quantity of beer for the winning jockey or this year  if the race is won by one of the ladies it will be Bulmers Cider.

The two Pony Races are expected to be very competitively contested and the Duke of Roxburghe’s son, George Innes Kerr, will be a favourite to win having won convincingly at Musselburgh last Sunday but he won’t have things all his own way if Tom Hamilton gets a good start.  There is local interest in the other Pony races with Shannen McVitie from St Boswells and Hamish McNeil form Lauder

A new initiative, which has been brought in by popular request is a restaurant in the Tweedie Stand, where it is possible to book lunch and keep your table for the day in the glass fronted Grandstand that has the finest view of the racecourse.  Two different packages are available but it is essential to book in advance through the racecourse office.

Racing proper gets underway at 2.20 with the Sunday Mail Handicap Hurdle which is generously sponsored by the Daily Record, who are such enthusiastic supporters of all five Scottish courses.  This race won by Scottish trainers four times in recent years and Peter Monteith bids to win it again with Cast Iron Casey and Quicuyo.  Dianne Slack landed it in 2007 with Front Rank and the Cumbrian combination are back for more Kelso prize money.

Betfair sponsor the feature Handicap Chase which is sure to be very competitive.  Betfair, the leading on-line betting exchange continue to go from strength to strength and corner a huge proportion of the betting in running market and Evelyn Slack loves her greys and Stoneriggs Merc should be easy to spot as he bids to follow up a success at Cartmel in May.  Alan Mactaggart’s Royal Mackintosh looked a nice prospect when winning two races at Carlisle back in the spring and locals will be giving him plenty of support.

Ray and Anita Green have very generously sponsored the Intermediate Hurdle to raise awareness and funds for the support of Childline, which is such a crucial charity and deserves all the support it can get.  Political Paddy has been starting to show a little bot if form and Rayson Nixon has already booked the services of Richie McGarth for his Selkirk raider.  Gray Mountain is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles for Lucinda Russell and is rated a fine young prospect.

Radio Borders will be broadcasting live from the course all afternoon and one of the highlights of the show will be their own Juvenile Novice Hurdle race which has attracted an entry of 17 and Stuart McCulloch, Station Manager, will be on hand to do the presentations after the race.  Midnite Blews, another bargain but at just 1,300gns for Maurice Barnes, makes his first appearance for connections after moving from the Andrew Haynes yard.  Howard Johnson has some quality juveniles in his yard and the Crook trainer has entered Rio Nova and Silk Drum.

Scottish Racing, the marketing arm of the five Scottish racecourses, sponsor the Novice Handicap Chase and Jonathan Garratt, the Marketing Executive of Scottish Racing will be on hand to do the presentations.  Wise Choice has winning form over hurdles and could be an interesting chasing recruit for Lucy Normile, who held her open day recently.  Newcastle trainer Robert Johnson is a great supporter of the Borders track and he has entered Toulouse Express.

Satellite Information Services support the Novices Handicap Hurdle which has atrracted an entry of 36.  Len Lungo’s Flamed Amazement has yet to finish better than third under any code, but owner Ray Green has already secured the services of his new son-in-law Timmy Murphy.  Scots born claimer Campbell Gillies has been riding winners on the flat and over jumps this summer and he’s been snapped up by Morpeth handler Jack Aynsley for Forsters Plantin.

The Bumper is sponsored by City Roofing Ltd of Edinburgh in support of the Balerno Bowling Club who are bringing a large party to support the event.  Billy Erskine has organised the outing and will be on hand to do the presentations after the race.  Bonjedward-based Andrew Crow has son Gillon on board Pistolet Time as the combination bid to build on their excellent second at Wetherby in June.  McMurrough was the cosy winner of a bumper at Market Rasen in May and Malcolm Jefferson runners are always worth a second look in these races.

The Pavilion marquee is available for booking for the meeting on the 18^th and the rest of the meetings up to Christmas.

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

NEXT RACE MEETING:    Saturday 18th October     Gates Open: 12.10pm  First Race: 2.10pm