KELSO REVIEW - WEDNESDAY 19th MAY 2010

By Bill Harvey

Mania excels on Carrietau and Jeffreys’ bumper winner

Ryan Mania gave the Barry Murtagh-trained Carrietau (7-4 jt fav) a superb front-running ride to lift the Hunter Property Fund Management Handicap Chase at Kelso’s final meeting of the season on Wednesday 19 May.

Mania (21), from Clovenfords, near Galashiels, is one of the rising stars of the northern jump scene and rode 31 winners last season 

Murtagh said of the 7 length winner: “He jumps very, very quickly – that’s his best asset. Ryan rides him really well.” 

Solway Bay, backed from 10-1 to 13-2, won the £8000 Kleinwort Benson Handicap Hurdle for Lisa Harrison and Harry Haynes, staying on well to beat Coastley by 2 lengths. 

Mick Easterby’s Diavoleria (11-10 fav), ridden by Denis O’Regan, beat the gallant River Alder by half a length in a cracking finish to the NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Novices’ Handicap Chase. 

Nicky Richards’ Benmadigan (5-1) won the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle under Fearghal Davis for Berwick owner Jimmy Dudgeon and Lucinda Russell’s Balnagore (11-4), ridden by Peter Buchanan, won the Scott Coppola Novices’ Hurdle, beating Solis by a head. 

Maxine Stirk’s Moment of Madness (7-1) and Mark Walford beat the gallant three-time winner Anshan Spirit in a thrilling finish to the Charlie Brown United Border Open Hunters’ Chase with Stirk’s 4-6 fav Eliza Doalott falling at the sixth fence. 

Freddie Brown (11-2), trained by George Charlton and given a superb ride by Jan Faltejsek, gave Kelso chairman Johnny Jeffreys a memorable victory in the kelsogolfclub.com-sponsored bumper in front of an 1800 crowd.