KELSO REVIEW - SUNDAY 6th DECEMBER 2009

By Bill Harvey

L’Aventure and Jacob in Borders National glory

Devon raider L’Aventure (5-1 fav) and Irishman Daryl Jacob lifted the £40,000 John Smith’s Scottish Borders National in great style at Kelso on Sunday 6 December.

 L’Aventure, gaining her first success since winning the 2005 Welsh National for Paul Nicholls, stayed on strongly to beat Bold Ransom (11-2) by 16 lengths with Royal Mackintosh (6-1) a gallant half-length third.

 “She loved the soft ground and she stays forever. I was always confident of winning and I’m delighted for Nick Williams and the team,” said 26-year-old Jacob.

 Nicky Richards’ imposing grey Money Trix (5-6 fav), ridden by Brian Harding, beat Belon Gale (13-2) by a neck in a thrilling finish to the Eric Scarth Memorial Champion Chase, with Cloudy Lane 14 lengths third.

“He’s as brave as a lion and he really battled for Brian. He’s entered for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas,” said an elated Richards.

Knockara Beau (1-8 fav) cruised to an 18 length success for George Charlton and Jan Faltejsek in the John Smith’s Paris Pike Novices’ Chase.

Cassius (7-4 fav) won the ‘Brian Meikle is 50 Today’ Handicap Hurdle for Bruce Mactaggart and Graham Lee and Berwick Law (15-8 fav) lifted the John Smith’s ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle under Richard McGrath on his first start for Pauline Robson.

Nicky Richards’ star chaser Monet’s Garden, 1997 Cheltenham Festival hero Sparky Gayle, The French Furze, Telemoss, Lord Jack and Cita Verda paraded in front of an appreciative 2700 crowd at Kelso.

 


L'AVENTURE

Winning the 2010 John Smiths Scottish Borders National

for Mr C J Harriman, Nick Williams & Daryl Jacob

(Photograph Courtesy of John Grossick Photography)