NEWS

Totepool Premier Hurdle Day at Kelso   

Kelso's second richest meeting of the season is set to go ahead on Saturday 28th February with £92,000 prize money  on offer, with the first race off at 2.00pm.  Totesport sponsor Kelso’s richest race, the Totepool Premier Kelso Hurdle, which is the only pattern race staged at the track during the season.  This race has been won in the past by horses that have gone on to much greater things and always throws up a pointer for the leading four year old hurdlers later in the season.  Howard Johnson clearly has his eye on this Grade 2 prize as the County Durham, maestro is represented by Doeslessthanme, Door Boy, Fortysecond Street and Teenage Idol. Another fascinating contender could be Henry Daly's Shropshire raider My Moment. 

The Tote also sponsor the very valuable £20,000 Berrymoss Chase that is designed as a potential Gold Cup trail and it is hoped that the prize money will increase next year to make this a really attractive proposition for Cheltenham hopefuls.  Ian Donald and his wife will represent the Tote on the day and do the presentations for both races.  This is likely to produce a small but select field and Donald McCain is leaning towards running Cloudy Lane, who was sixth when joint-favourite for last year's Grand National. Borders racegoers could be in for a treat if Nicky Richards-trained Money Trix takes his chance along with Paul Nicholls' Gungadu, who represents Renfrewshire-born big punter Harry Findley and don't discount Ailie Tullie's three-time course winner More Likely.

Alexander Trotter of Charterhall has very generously sponsored the 3m1f Handicap Chase under the banner of his caravan group Meadowhead Parks this race will be run for the Hamilton Memorial Trophy.  James Ewart's horses are in decent form and the Langholm trainer has the choice of Open de L'Isle, Orang Outan and Super Baby.  Borders interest is boosted by the presence of Oleolat & Bob's Dream (Willie Amos), Royal Glen (Stuart Coltherd) and Aztec Prince (Sandy Forster).

Regular Kelso sponsor Sylvia Fleming continues her sponsorship with the Novice Hurdle in the name of Extr-Ordin-Air the greatly respected cargo haulage company based at Edinburgh airport.  Sylvia Fleming will be on hand to do the presentations after the race in which Alan Swinbank has three and his chosen runner will come from Go On Be A Lady, Hill Billy Rock and Scale Bank.  Charlie Mann has indicated he is keen to run his highly-rated young timber topper Ballinderry Park and Noel Fehily has been booked for the ride.

The Alexander Family have been huge supporters of Kelso Racecourse and their valuable Novice Chase has always produced a fantastic race which would have given great pleasure to Cyril Alexander in whose memory the race is staged.  In this race Pasco, impressive in two wins over fences at Newbury and Huntingdon, is a very interesting entry for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. Howard Johnsons's Degas Art was well-regarded as a hurdler and is just beginning to find his feet over fences.

Alex Farquhar and his daughter Kirsten have generously agreed to come in as new sponsors under the banner of Paul’s Orginal Sandwich House in Edinburgh, Alex was renowned under the Macbet title as being a fearless layer and was the one man who would always take substantial wagers in the ring.  Kirsten Farquhar will be on hand to do the presentations after what promises to be a very competitive 2m6f race.  Dark Gentleman, a good second at Sedgefield last time for Cumbria-based Dianne Sayer, is among a healthy entry of 39 horses. Kenny Johnson is likely to ride course winner Uptown Lad for his Newcastle trainer father Robert.

 Probably Kelso’s most loyal supporter David Logan sponsors the Hunter Chase in the name of the very popular hostelry The Ship Inn in Dalkeith.  David always can be relied on to bring a large and happy party to the racecourse twice a year and this year is so exception and he will make the presentations to the winning connections.  Bilingual, owned by the Duke Of Devonshire, is set to make his debut under Rules for Ian Stark. Ex-Peter Monteith trained course winner Mister Magnum, is another possible for his hunter chase bow and is now with Richmond handler Muriel Naughton.   

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 

Richard Landale                        01668 281041

Jen Young or Trish Spours         01668 280800  

NEXT RACE MEETING:   Sunday 8th March       2.25pm