By Bill Harvey

Chief Dan George stars in John Smith’s showcase

Chief Dan George (11-4 jt fav) starred in the £20,000 John Smith’s Novices’ Chase for Lauder owner Maurice Chapman at Kelso on Friday 20 March, winning in great style in front of a 2000 crowd.

Jimmy Moffatt’s Grade One-winning hurdler stayed on strongly under Paddy Aspell to beat the James Ewart-trained Sa Suffit by three and a half lengths in a classy nine-strong field for the Class Two prize.

“He’s proved what a good horse he is. I’ve never lost faith in him and he’ll go for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr (18 April),” said the elated Cartmel trainer.

Midlands raider Mister Apple’s (11-2) and Charlie Huxley beat the 11-4 fav Stagecoach Diamond in a cracking finish to lift the John Smith’s Handicap Chase for the Ian Williams yard.

Billingham trainer Chris Grant celebrated two winners, Barton Grey (8-1) in the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Handicap Hurdle and Tom’s Toybox (8-1) in the ‘One Off’ Caverton Handicap Chase for an 80-1 brace under Richard McGrath and Lucy Horner respectively.

Ferdy Murphy’s Big Burrows (4-1) and Graham Lee and Howard Johnson’s First Stream (6-1), ridden by Denis O’Regan, won the maiden hurdles.

Alastair Whellans' Storm Brig impressed in winning the bumper on debut at 16-1.

The fund-raising lunch for the Borders General Hospital 21st Birthday Appeal raised £5,000.