NEWS

Racing returns to the Borders Traack on Monday 6th April with the first race off at 2.30pm and a very competitive six race card.

 The Buccleuch Cup this year is sponsored for the first time by The Royal Caledonian Hunt, who were granted Royal patronage in 1822, the same year as the original Grand Stand was erected at Kelso, which is still the focal point of the course today   The first race under this banner was run at Kelso in 1779 and this year the Duke of Roxburghe is Preses for the Hunt.  Benny Boy, based with Steve Waugh in Northumberland, has winning point to point form and ran a nice race in Hunter Chase company at Sedgefield recently. Clive Storey may be tempted to run his lightly-raced Hasper, who was second in this grade at Hexham last summer while Robert McDonald had been hurdling Ben Nelly without success before trying his hand at this code. 

 Colin and Ruth McGrath have generously sponsored the two mile Handicap Hurdle to celebrate her Mother’s101st Birthday hence the name of “Isabel Archer 101st Celebration”.  Colin and Ruth very generously provide the carrots for the Employment Help presentation to the winning trainer after every race and this causes much interest.  Sue Smith’s First Boy was just touched off last Sunday and may attempt to go one better for his in-form Bingley yard while George Charlton is hoping to run Hazeldene. 

Karen and Keith McLean have generously allowed their sponsorship that was lost in December to be carried forward to this meeting and sponsor the feature 2m 1f Handicap Chase.  The race is sponsored in the name of Keith McLean Carpets, the highly respected business from Selkirk in what is certain to be a highly competitive event.  Lucinda Russell-trained Seeyaaj could be in the line-up along with Ferdy Murphy’s February Carlisle winner La Roi Rouge. Manhattan Boy, from Andrew Crow’s nearby Jedburgh stable, is another contender. 

One of the features of Kelso’s season is the presence of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers who hold a very well supported Charity Lunch to raise funds for the hard working carers who so seldom get full recognition for what they do.  Sadly the Princess Royal has sent her apologies but she will be represented by Joe Scott-Plummer, whose wife Christine will do the honours on behalf of an anonymous sponsor who has so generously sponsored their race.  George Charlton’s Heez A Steel has been second, third and fourth in his five previous trips to Kelso and is due to add a one to his course figures. Alan Swinbank might give Scale Bank his first crack at this longer trip while Robert Johnson is looking at the race for his mare Pendle Forest. 

The well known builders merchants, Keyline, through their Newtown St Boswells branch have generously agreed to sponsor the Novice Hurdle.  Ian Crawford, their Branch manager has arranged the day and will be on hand to do the judging and presentations on what will be a very competitive 2m Hurdle.  Alan Swinbank is planning to enter recent Kelso second Frankie Anson and hurdling debutant Sir Mulberry Hawk while in form James Ewart could be represented by Best Lover. 

The first race is sponsored by Weatherbys who are the administrators of British Racing and this race is being sponsored under their Bloodstock Insurance Department and their Senior Client Relation Director, Nick Cheyne will be travelling up from Wellingborough to do the honours.  Nicky Richards expects to enter Guns And Butter, who was a late withdrawal on Kelso’s popular Ladies Day meeting. Patrick Haslam’s Hi Dancer is a possible along with Robert Johnson pair Uptown and Toulouse Express. 

There are a few spaces left in the ever popular Pavilion and can be booked by ringing 01668 280800or can be booked online at www.kelso-races.co.uk.

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

NEXT RACE MEETING:    Wednesday 29th April (eve)     Gates Open: 4.00pm  First Race: 6.00pm