KELSO REVIEW - MONDAY 6TH APRIL 2009

By Bill Harvey

Tony and Rose Dobbin celebrate Buccleuch Cup triumph

Luksar (6-4 fav) gave Tony and Rose Dobbin a memorable victory in the Royal Caledonian Hunt Buccleuch Cup (Maiden Hunters’ Chase) at Kelso on Monday 6 April.

Rose, in the pink and black silks of her parents Duncan and Sarah Davidson, was riding her 97th career winner as Luksar stayed on well to beat the gallant 40-1 runner-up Paddys Unyoke by one and a half lengths, giving her husband Tony his first training success under rules from their South Hazelrigg yard.

Dobbin (36), who rode 1997 Grand National winner Lord Gyllene, and retired from the saddle in April 2008, said: “That was great. I always get very nervous watching, especially when Rose is riding, but it all went well.”

Rose added: “I always feel pressure. It’s lovely to win the Buccleuch Cup for the first time and in my parents’ colours with a horse trained by my husband.”

Jim Goldie’s Annibale Caro, backed from 14-1 to 6-1, landed a major gamble on his first start for the Uplawmoor yard under James Reveley in the Isabel Archer 101st Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle and Kelso-based Isabel, who was 101 the previous day, was in the winner’s enclosure for the presentations.

Professor Higgins (11-10 fav) and 1-5 fav Doeslessthanme sealed two winners for Howard Johnson, Denis O’Regan and Graham Wylie in front of a 2200 crowd.

Nile Moon won the opener at 14-1 for Ann Hamilton and Paddy Aspell and 16-1 shot Industrial Star scored for Micky Hammond and Barry Keniry.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers fund-raising lunch raised £10,000 for the Borders Carers’ Centre in Galashiels.