NEWS

Kelso’s Penultimate Race Meeting of the National Hunt Season 

The Border track stages its first May meeting on Wednesday 6th and the second last meeting of the year with the first race time off at 2.20 pm. 

 Kelso are once again beating the National trend where forecasts of a 40% drop in sponsorship have not happened and another fully sponsored card promises very competitive racing on Wednesday 6th May.  The Dryburgh Abbey Hotel return to sponsor at the Border track and this progressive and very popular thirty eight bedroom 4 star hotel is using the racecourse to promote their unique and superb facilities for weddings and the full range of corporate opportunities in addition to their normal hotel business.  John Wallace the highly respected Managing Director will be on hand to do the presentations in what promises to be an exceptionally competitive 3m1f Novice Chase.  Brian Storey may look at running Humourous with Scuzme another Maurice Barnes possible. Evergreen Swanee Haldane could be represented by Billsgrey. 

A tremendous Border character is fondly remembered in the Colin Furness Memorial Novice Hunter Chase.  The Furness Family have got together to sponsor to mark Colin tremendous achievements made as he was hugely respected, not only in the Borders but further afield for his accomplishments in the equestrian world.  His widow Margaret and Robert Furness who has painted a picture for the winning owner will make the presentations.  Briscoe Place was a first runner under Rules for former jockey Ian ‘Scobie’ Jardine at Perth and he may turn out again next Wednesday.  Witness Run, trained by Sandy Thomson at nearby Greenlaw, is another possible. 

The first race on the card is 2m6f Novices Hurdle race and this is sponsored by Roxburgh Home Improvements, in this race Alistair Whillans pair Dallas Bell and Thatildoforme are possibles along with Lucinda Russell’s Breakwater House.  Maurice Barnes has his stable in fine form and the Cumbrian trainer may be tempted to run Currahee.

 One of Kelso’s most loyal supporters, Nicholson Brothers turn out again to support the Border track and will have a party of their clients to enjoy the afternoon.  This highly respected firm of electricians from Edinburgh have supported the 2m1/2f Novice Hurdle.  Bruce Mactaggart’s Steel Man along with Andrew Crow’s The Dunion may tackle this along with Donald Nolan’s Howards Dream. 

The 3m4f Handicap Chase has been sponsored anonymously but named after Park Place a well known horse from a few years back.  Shulmin, trained at Carlisle by Carol Ferguson, was fifth last year and may appear in the race again. Korelo, trained near Jedburgh by in-form Harriet Graham, is another possible.

 The Fleet Bar are another strong supporter of racing at Kelso and the landlord David Meek has a strong racing following in what is arguably Eyemouth’s most popular pub.  In this race Willie Amos could run Prince Mouse and Sandy Forster’s Stark Raven may also be in the line-up as well as I’m Your Man from the Appleby yard of Evelyn Slack. 

SIS, the suppliers of television pictures to the betting industry support the last race on the card which is a 2m2f Handicap Hurdle.  Howard Johnson has his team in fine fettle and he could run Sedgefield runner-up Barashi. Borders-based Willie Amos may enter Oleolat. 

The Pavilion Marquee is offering a fantastic May special with 15% off Silver and Gold packages, for further information please call 01668 280800 or visit the website at www.kelso-races.co.uk`

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

NEXT RACE MEETING:    Wednesday 20th May     Gates Open: 12.25pm  First Race: 2.25pm