Updates
Kelso Prepares a Warm Welcome for the Racing World
The bet365 Morebattle Hurdle - Saturday 5th March
Kelso Racecourse takes centre stage on Saturday 5th March when the Borders track, which will celebrate 200 years of racing in September, hosts its most valuable fixture ever in front of the ITV Racing cameras and an unrestricted crowd.
Entries have come from the top stables in Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, the £100,000 feature race on a card which is worth in excess of £262,000. At the top of the weights for Scotland’s most valuable hurdle race is Buveur D’Air, the Nicky Henderson trained dual Champion Hurdle winner who shares favouritism with stablemate Balco Coastal and the Harry Fry trained Metier.
Many of the entries, including the Dan Skelton trained Faivoir who finished third in the race last year, would be in line for a bonus of £100,000 if winning the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle and following up at the Cheltenham Festival later this month. Last year’s bonus was collected by the Shunter for Emmet Mullins and additional Irish spice is added this time around by the Jessica Harrington trained Autumn Evening and Stuart Crawford’s Saint D’Oroux.
Evan Williams, who completed a full set of wins at all Britain’s jump tracks with victory at Kelso last month, seeks to scoop the prize for Wales with Current Mood. Strong resistance from northern trainers comes in the shape of Cormier trained by Brian Ellison and James Moffatt’s Alqamar. Scottish interests lie with Elvis Mail, Thereisnodoubt and Voix De Reve, while the horse travelling the least distance will be Do Not Disturb who will needs only to cross the border from Rose Dobbin’s Northumbrian base.
The team at Kelso are preparing to extend a warm welcome to racegoers, as well as the ITV Racing team, following a period of restrictions which has impacted the last two years. Managing Director of Kelso Races said, “Kelso became the first track in Britain to race behind closed doors on 16th March 2019 and we’ve been operating under a series of restrictions or varying severity ever since. This fixture represents a huge turning point for us and we’re looking forward to celebrating with a large crowd. We’ve started to see really strong interest in tickets during the last few days and racegoers will be able to walk up and purchase tickets at the gate.”
The bet365 Morebattle Hurdle will be one of five races broadcast live by ITV. The supporting card includes the £50,000, Grade 2, bet365 Premier Novices Hurdle and the £50,000 bet365 Premier Steeplechase, in which Cloth Cap bids to follow up his win of twelve months ago ahead of a further tilt at the Grand National. The strongest opposition may come in the form of the top-rated Bristol De Mai, trained by Nigel Twiston Davies, although few runners would be a more popular runner than Big River who has already won at Kelso on eight occasions for Fife trainer Lucinda Russell.
The gates will open at 11.00am on Saturday 5th March and the first race is scheduled for 1.00pm.
£100,000 bet365 Morebattle Hurdle the Feature of Kelso’s £1.5 Million 2022 Programme
Kelso Racecourse, where total annual prize money will exceed £1.5 million for the first time in 2022, has committed to prize funds which will significantly exceed minimum values at all fifteen scheduled fixtures.
The prize fund for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, staged on Saturday 5th March, will increase by 33% to £100,000. The additional bonus of £100,000, won last season by The Shunter, will be offered to the winner once again if they can follow up by winning any race at the Cheltenham Festival.
The most valuable hurdle race in Scotland, the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle is the feature event on a seven-race programme that will carry more than £260,000 in prize money. The Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices Hurdle, won last season by My Drogo, and the Listed bet365 Premier Steeplechase, won by Cloth Cap in preparation for the Grand National, will both have total prize funds of £50,000.
Three new race series will culminate in finals at Kelso on Saturday 26th March when total prize money for the day will exceed £200,000. The Cab On Target 2½ mile Handicap Hurdle Final and the Jodami National Hunt Flat Race Final are both part of the Racing Post Go North series of races carrying £30,000 of prize money. Meanwhile, the Herring Queen Mares Only Novices Hurdle Final will carry a prize fund of £50,000 and will be open to mares qualified in races staged throughout Britain.
Subject to Levy Board funding remaining consistent throughout the year, all Class 3 chases and handicap hurdles at Kelso will be advertised at £15,000 or more, while all Class 4 chases will be worth £10,000 and Class 4 hurdle races £9,000. Class 5 chases and hurdles will be worth £7,500 and £7,000 respectively. While hunterchases will be subject to a separate rate-card, the course’s Corinthian Cup will increase in value to £12,000.
On behalf of bet365, Pat Cooney said “We are delighted to sponsor Kelso’s most valuable meeting of the year and look forward to some really competitive action. In our first year of sponsorship, the introduction of the £100,000 bonus for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle really added spice, so we’re delighted to help Kelso increase the total prize value again this season.”
Managing Director Jonathan Garratt said, “Kelso Racecourse is a not-for-profit company and our purpose is to promote National Hunt racing for the benefit of all the industry’s stakeholders as well as our local community. The board consciously supports the development of an aspirational race programme for the North and we hope this commitment will offer encouragement to all racehorse owners, but especially to those that have their horses trained in our region. The programme for bet365 Morebattle Hurdle Day is particularly exciting.”
Welcoming the enhanced minimum values for races Ken McGarrity, the Scottish based Director of the Racehorse Owners Association Board, said “Kelso’s commitment to prize money has been recognised by owners for a number of years and it was notable that, even during lockdown, the majority of races continued to be staged at well above minimum values. One of the really positive aspects of this announcement is that it will support owners across the whole spectrum, with opportunities for all horses from Class 1 to Class 5.”
£50,000 Lilburn Estate Scottish Borders National, Sunday 5th December
Dino Boy is expected to make a bold bid to become the latest back-to-back winner of the £50,000 Lilburn Estate Scottish Borders National at Kelso on Sunday 5th December. A fifteen-length scorer last year for Dumfriesshire trainer Iain Jardine and jockey Conor O’Farrell, he is one of 31 entries for the extended four-mile marathon.
Jardine said: “Last season, as well as the Borders National, he was runner-up in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh so it would be great to win again at Kelso. He’s already gone close over fences this autumn when only beaten by a nose at Carlisle.”
Dino Boy was left clear at the last when Duc De Grissay sprawled on landing and unseated Ryan Mania and Sandy Thomson’s Greenlaw raider is also among the entries along with Nakadam, who was third home for Cumbria-based Barry Murtagh twelve months ago. The top-rated entry, on a BHA mark of 141, is the Venetia Williams trained Achille, a game sixth in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter when last seen out in March.
Big River, who sports the paw-printed colours of owners ‘The Two Black Labs’ has won six and been placed twice in nine appearances at Kelso, the only hiccup being in this race in 2019 when the Lucinda Russell trained gelding was brought down while seemingly still travelling well. Running of 11stone 9lb, he’ll be guaranteed a run, as would Do Not Disturb, who completed a hat-trick of Kelso wins in October and runs for the same connections that won the race in 2019 with Bigirononhiship.
The Paris Pike Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase usually signposts the top staying novice chasers in the North. Doyen Breed showed a nice attitude when scoring on his debut over fences at Hexham recently for Sandy Thomson and Ryan Mania. Similar comments apply to southern raider Castle Robin, trained Charlie Longsdon and partnered by Paul O’Brien, following his chasing bow success at Exeter.
The first of seven races gets underway, just after noon, with the William Hill Bookmakers “National Hunt” Auction Maiden Hurdle. Winning point to pointer Chase Outlaw is a fascinating recruit to timber for the bang-in-form combination of Brian Hughes and Donald McCain.
Racegoers, who will be obliged to share their contact details with the racecourse for track & trace purposes, are advised to book tickets as early as possible and to wear plenty of warm clothing so that they are able to enjoy the races in the fresh air if possible. While indoor spaces will be open to the public as normal, visitors are reminded that it is mandatory to wear face coverings indoors in Scotland unless eating or drinking.
Image: Big River
Family Fun Day, Sunday 3rd October 2021
Kelso’s Family Fun Raceday, featuring a cracking edition of the £40,000 NSPCC Schools Service Handicap Chase, is set to attract a multi-generational crowd on Sunday 3rd October when seven exciting races will be augmented with extra entertainment for families and young children.
In addition to an inflatable slide, bouncy castle, merry-go-round and face painter, the staff of the Scottish Racing Academy will be on hand to give children some fun practical experience of what it is like to care for a horse and ride in a race. Racegoers will be invited to ride Betty, a simulated model of a moving racehorse, and to bandage the legs of another model horse who is as yet unnamed. There’ll be a book-themed fancy dress competition too, with prizes awarded to the best costume inspired by a book character.
Simply Ned, the dual Grade 1 scorer who retired at this fixture last season, will parade before the feature race at 3.40pm. In addition to starting and finishing his racing career at the Borders track, Simply Ned developed a special place in the hearts of Kelso racegoers when running in 2m 1f feature race on seven consecutive occasions, including when winning it in 2014 and 2015.
He’ll be joined in the parade ring by Nuts Well, another dual winner of the race, trained in Northumberland by Ann Hamilton. Having scored in last year’s race before following up in Grade 2 company at Aintree, Nuts Well leads a cast of thirteen potential runners.
The top-weight Aye Right, trained near Jedburgh by Harriet Graham, carries the colours of Kelso director Geoff Adam and, on a BHA mark of 153, is one of the top-rated jumpers in Scotland. Runner-up in this very event twelve months ago, he had some near misses in major races last season including when second in both the Ladbroke Trophy and Sky Bet Chase. He’s set to be partnered for the first time by Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania.
Entries also include Cracking Destiny, the first winner saddled by fledging Hawick trainer Ewan Whillans back in August, and Ballyoisin, a Grade 2 winner in Ireland and a possible first runner at Kelso for Enda Bolger.
The card begins with the Welcome To Family Day Handicap Hurdle, a qualifier for the Go North Two Mile Hurdle Series, in which Dianne Sayer’s recent Perth scorer and six-time Cartmel winner Beeno is one of the picks of the weights.
Rose Dobbin-trained Do Not Disturb won back-to-back races at Kelso’s final two meetings of the spring and he could be the one to beat should he bid for a belated hat-trick attempt in the RacingTV 100% Profits Returned To Racing Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Although tickets will be available on the day, racegoers are advised to book in advance if possible, to avoid delays due to the recording of Track & Trace information. The first of seven races is due off at 1.55pm with gates opening at 12.00 noon.
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Season Finale, Sunday 30th May 2021
Annual Members of the racecourse at Kelso will be permitted to attend the final race meeting of the season on Sunday 30th May, following approval by the local authorities. The meeting will be the first sporting event in the Borders to be permitted a crowd, albeit a very small one.
No additional tickets will be sold for the race meeting which is subject to a heavy restriction on numbers as part of a trial which could lead to larger crowds in the Autumn.
Managing Director Jonathan Garratt said “We are relieved that the local authority has approved access for our annual members in addition to racehorse owners. Both groups have been incredibly patient and supportive throughout the long and highly restricted winter season. We very much hope that, following our summer break, we can open our gates to a wider audience and extend our usual warm welcome.”
Denholm trainer Alison Hamilton is looking for a big run from her stable star Skyhill before he gets turned out to grass for the Summer. The two-time course winner is set to be ridden by the trainer’s nephew Jamie Hamilton in the Racing TV Supports Racing Handicap Hurdle.
Mrs Hamilton, who has around a dozen horses at her Dykes Farm House yard, said: “As long as he ground is okay we want to give him one more race to set him up for his summer holidays. He had a really good spell two seasons ago when he won four races in-a-row, including two at Kelso, but he went up two stone for that and he hasn’t won since. He’s only come down 9lbs and is still paying for that really good season.
“We’ve given him a tiny operation on his soft palate to aid his breathing. Jamie gets on really well with him and the other jockeys are always commenting down at the start saying what a small horse he is. He’s not the easiest to get on with so he has to go to post early and can pull your arms out but he always tries his best in the race.”
Skyhill is one of 19 entries in the near 3m 2f event and possible opposition include course and distance winners Court Baloo and Dequall, trained by Alistair Whillans and Stuart Coltherd respectively.
Do Not Disturb is another returning Kelso scorer and Rose Dobbin’s charge is among the nine entries for the Subscribe To Racing TV Novices’ Handicap Chase over 2m 7f. Craig Nichol has again been booked for the ride after steering his partner to a handsome six and a half length victory in early May.
Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning pilot Paddy Brennan has been ‘jocked up’ on Valentino Dancer by Fergal O’Brien in the William Hill Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle. Gloucestershire-base O’Brien enjoyed a personal-best 104 winners last season when both his runners at Kelso were successful - his overall course strike-rate of 45 per-cent is his highest on any jumps track in Britain.
Sunday 11th April 2021
ALMAZHAR GARDE, sent off at 9-4 second favourite, made it two from two at Kelso when storming home in the feature race at the borders track on Sunday.
Ridden by Gavin Sheehan, the Charlie Longsdon-trained top-weight led all the way to slam On A Promise by eleven lengths in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Chase.
Sheehan said: “Apart from the second, he did everything brilliantly. I managed to get a breather into him and he’s stayed on strongly. Charlie trained his full brother Hammersly Lake and he raced through the summer so that’s an option for this fellow as well.”
Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox teamed to win the Join RacingTV Live Now Handicap Chase with Mannochmore who made all to score by lengths. “It seems the best way to ride most of our horses at the moment and he’s seen the trip out well,” Russell said. “We weren’t sure if he would stay and this was just his second start over fences.”
Russell and Fox competed a 43-1 double when Bollingerandkrug took the Manners Le Gracon d’Dor Handicap Hurdle for owners Debs Thomson and Colin Dempster. A delighted Dempster was one of a few dozen racehorse owners who were able to watch the races at the racecourse, following an industry agreement that owners could attend at the start of this month.
Crowds are not yet permitted to attend sporting events and so there are currently no tickets on sale for future Kelso meetings, although the racecourse management is awaiting further information from the Scottish Government in the hope that the public may be able to attend public events later in the year.
The Buccleuch Cup, a maiden hunters’ chase which has a long history at Kelso, went to Rules debutant Rio Des Echanault, ridden by 32-year-old Nick Orpwood and trained by Jessica McKie, daughter of former National Point To Point Champion Jockey Ian McKie.
The famous green and yellow colours were once carried by 1972 Grand National winner Well To Do and the hugely popular chaser Dublin Flyer. While Rio Des Echanault would have to progress a good deal further to emulate that great pair, he could well have a fruitful campaign ahead of him in Novice Chases.
The next race meeting at Kelso is set to take place, behind closed doors, on Wednesday 5th May.
Tuesday 23rd March 2021
Report from Monday / Preview Saturday…
Monday’s Racing at Kelso
The action is coming fast and furious at Kelso. Just five days after a cracking card on Monday, there is £136,000 up for grabs for another seven-race behind-closed-doors meeting at the Borders venue on Saturday, 27th March.
The opening race on Monday’s programme was named to celebrate The Shunter, who carried off a bonus of £100,000 last week by following up his win in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle with a famous victory at the Cheltenham Festival. The race was won by Dequall, trained by Selkirk-based Stuart Coltherd who said “There was a wee bit of a concern about the quicker ground but he’s tough and saw it out well. It’s as far as he’s won over so we should have a few options for him now.”
Court Master earned himself a crack at the Grand National fences after a gutsy performance in the LCS Joinery 50 Years Of Trading Handicap Chase. Sent off at 100-30, he was given a power-packed ride by Brendan Powell to pip front-running Schiehallion Munro in the day’s feature race.
Winning trainer Michael Scudamore said: “He doesn’t like the testing winter conditions and this better ground was more to his liking. We’re looking towards a spring campaign and the Topham Trophy at Aintree next month is a possibility as he is such a good jumper.”
Nick Alexander was on the mark with Chanting Hill, a six-length winner under Henry Brooke in the Novices’ Handicap Chase. The Kinneston trainer said: “Three miles round Musselburgh didn’t suit her last time and this was a lot better today. She likes this ground so there should be plenty of opportunities in the coming few weeks.”
Saturday’s Action
Saturday’s programme forms part of the valuable ‘Go North Weekend’ of racing. Supported by the British Horseracing Authority and sponsored by The Racing Post, the three day event starts at Carlisle on Friday before moving on to Kelso on Saturday and Musselburgh on Sunday the centre day of the three.
Jonathan Garratt, Managing Director of Kelso said, “The original plan was for spectators to be encouraged to stay in the region and visit all three racecourses. Sadly that’s not possible because of Covid, but we’ve decided to retain the races because it will build anticipation for next year.”
Saltburn-by-the-Sea trainer Gillian Boanas has two exciting entries including Crixus’s Escape, in the Paxtons For Kverneland in The Borders Handicap Chase, and Sultans Pride in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle; both races carrying a guaranteed pot of £35,000.
Gillian said: “The prize money is again very good at Kelso. Crixus’s Escape has won there before but he disappointed in the Edinburgh Gin Chase in February and it turned out he had a breathing issue so he has had some wind surgery. That should help him a lot although we could do with a bit of rain before Saturday.
“Sultans Pride has been in terrific form and he won his third race of the season at Doncaster recently. Brian Hughes is quite excited about him and he will make a lovely staying chaser next season.”
Potential rivals to Crixus’s Escape include Nicky Richards-trained Chapel Style and Claud And Goldie, a local raider from Sandy Forster’s Yetholm stables who carries and extra 5lbs for his third win at Kelso in February.
Opposition to Sultans Pride could see Mr Harp, second in a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock last month, become the first course runner for St Albans trainer Thomas Gallagher while Middleham-based Jedd O’Keeffe has already booked Henry Brooke for the ride on his mare Miah Grace who has already been placed in Class 2 company this spring.
The other feature race is the £30,000 William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle and it will be interesting to see if Tommy’s Oscar is in the line-up come Saturday. Trained in Northumberland by Ann Hamilton, he was a big gamble prior to finishing sixth in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle. The form of the ‘Morebattle’ could be tested further as third placed Favoir (Dan Skelton) and eighth home Christopher Wood (Paul Nicholls) are also entered in the valuable two-miler.
Bumper entries for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle
THE re-vamped bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, the £75,000 centrepiece of ITV Racing’s coverage from Kelso on Saturday 6th March, has attracted a tremendous 49 entries with the winner set for a £100,000 bonus should they go on to land any race at the Cheltenham Festival.
There are five horses rated 150 or higher and the top-rated entry on 159 is Cornerstone Lad, trained by Micky Hammond, the winner of the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in 2019.
Esprit Du Large, trained by Evan Williams, is a Grade 1 winner over fences having landed the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in 2019 and there are several other Grade 2 and Grade 3 winners among a quality initial entry. Eleven-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls has pencilled in six horses with progressive Christopher Wood the highest rated on 150.
The top-rated of Nicky Henderson’s trio is Call Me Lord (150), who ran in last year’s Champion Hurdle for his six-time champion trainer. Olly Murphy-trained Brewin’upastorm, on a lofty 155, is a winning chaser but is also a smart hurdler as he illustrated when runner-up in Grade 1 company at Aintree two years ago.
The sole Irish entry is The Shunter, trained by Emmet Mullins and the winner of the Grade 3 Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. Scottish trainers are responsible for six entries with Iain Jardine’s Voix Du Reve, a Grade 1 chase winner when with Willie Mullins, the highest rated on 149.
Kelso Managing Director Jonathan Garratt said, “Sponsored for the first time by bet365, we decided to move the Morebattle to March where it will become the feature race of Kelso’s richest-ever raceday with £209,000 up for grabs. The supporting card features the Grade 2 Premier Hurdle and the Listed Premier Chase, so it will be quite an event.
Bet365 have already formed an ante-post market and they have installed Prochema as the 8-1 favourite. A very smart horse on the Flat, he has taken to hurdles well since joining Dan Skelton and is the winner of two ‘jumpers bumpers’ at Newcastle recently.
For more information: contact Gordon Brown on T: 07850 258063 or Jonathan Garratt
on T: 01573 221221 / 07771 660114
Entries Close at Noon Today for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle
The bet365 Morebattle Hurdle has moved from mid-February to become the headline event on a bumper £209,000 programme, at Kelso Racecourse, on Saturday 6th March. The seven-race card, which already features the bet365 Premier Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) and the bet365 Premier Steeplechase (Listed Race), will be augmented by the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (handicap) which will a prize fund of £75,000.
In addition, the winner of the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle will be eligible for a bonus of £100,000 if going on to win any race at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. We are indebted to our sponsors bet365 for their generous support which has helped to bring this long term plan to fruition.
Entries for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle will close at noon today 16th February. Entries for all other races on 6thMarch will close at the normal 6-day stage.
Festive Family Fun ahead of £60,000 Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National.
Father Christmas will be greeting young racegoers at Kelso Racecourse’s Festive Family Raceday on Sunday 8th December. There will be fun activities for children in the Pavilion Marquee, next to the parade ring - where older racegoers can enjoy a view of the horses ahead of one Scotland’s most valuable racedays.
The Greenlaw based trainer Sandy Thomson will bid to extend his remarkable record in the £60,000 Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National. Despite being one of the most competitive events of the season, no other trainer has won the marathon feature since 2013. Thomson scored with Neptune Equester in 2014 and 2015, and with Harry The Viking in 2016 and 2018, the race having been abandoned in between. Thompson could be two handed in this year’s race with Harry The Viking and the recent Kelso scorer Caventara.
Joint top-weighted for the race are the Sue Smith trained Sharp Response and Mysteree, who carried the colours of Bonnyrigg owner Lynne Maclennan to victory in the valuable Belhaven Brewery Steeplechase at Kelso in October.
A maximum of sixteen of the thirty entries will be permitted to line up for the race. Other likely candidates include Kelso winner ACDC and the Maurice Barnes trained Bafana Blue. The Worcestershire based trainer Dr Richard Newland, who struck with Royale Knight back in 2013, has two entries in Aaron Lad and No Hassle Hoff.
The £40,000 Edinburgh Gin Veterans’ Steeplechase has attracted a quality entry including the 152-rated Outlander, trained in Newmarket by Richard spencer. He was ninth behind Tiger Roll in April’s Grand National and is a triple Grade 1 winner over fences in Ireland. Possible rivals include last year’s winner Cultram Abbey, trained by Nicky Richards and Indian Temple for the father and son team Tim and Harry Reid.
The £20,000 Paris Pike Novices Steeplechase, sponsored by Mrs Ivan Straker, is the second race on the programme and never fails to highlight some of the best emerging talent in the North. Punters looking for clues should follow the betting as the last three favourites for the race have all won. The Harriet Graham trained Aye Right, a four time winner at the course over hurdles, could make his debut over fences for his owner Geoff Adam who is a director of the racecourse.
The Robert Eggo Handicap Hurdle Race has been sponsored in memory of one of Kelso’s most dedicated followers and has attracted a bumper entry. The list of stables with entries reads like a who’s who of Scottish and northern trainers. The Ruth Jefferson trained Temple Man, who runs in the colours of Mrs Ivan Straker, could be the answer if he settles in the race.
November Saturday Recap - 9th November 2019
RYAN MANIA was back in the winners’ enclosure at Kelso for the first time since his return to action on October 28. The Grand National-winning pilot, who quit the saddle around five years ago after losing his battle with the scales, struck on Caventara trained by his stepfather-in-law Sandy Thomson.
Speaking following his ninth comeback ride Mania, 30, said: “It’s such a relief not having to sweat and I’ve never felt better. The difference is all to do with exercise and nutrition and it’s great to come back and do it at my local track - now I just want to kick on from here.”
Borders-born Mania’s finest hour came when he scooped the 2013 National aboard 66-1 chance Auroras Encore and he rolled back the years as he scored on his bold-jumping 9-2 partner.
Thomson added: “Hats off to Ryan as he is riding as well as ever and we’re delighted to have him back riding for us. With his experience, it’s a huge help having him in the yard sitting on the horses.” Referring to all-the-way scorer Caventara, he said: “His dam L’Aventure won the Borders National in 2009 and he could be back here for that next month.”
Well Above Par also made all the running as he romped to victory for Thomas Willcott in the featured IJF Wishing Well Handicap Chase.
Winning trainer Lucinda Russell said: “He sulked a bit at Perth so I’m delighted for the syndicate that have him. He’s a big, strong type and he loves his jumping. Tom has done a great job with him.”
Court Baloo extended his winning sequence to four when taking the 3m 2f handicap hurdle for Alistair Whillans and Ross Chapman. The Hawick raider began his winning run at Hexham in early September and Whillans said: “He’s in great form and I remember when we had Major Bell he won five in a row over fences in 1996.”
Well-backed from 10-1 into 4-1, Bruce Lynn-ridden Spirit Of Kayf landed a touch for the Nick Alexander yard in the 2m 5f handicap hurdle. The Leslie trainer said: “We used Bruce’s 7lb claim as he had top-weight and isn’t the biggest of horses. He’s been fragile and was well-treated on his best form.”
Santa Claus is expected to be in attendance at Kelso’s next fixture, the Festive Family Raceday on Sunday 8th December. Children are admitted free of charge and can expect a gift from Santa if they’ve been well behaved. The feature race is the £60,000 Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National.
IJF Wishing Well Chase Day, Saturday 9th November
The £30,000 feature race of Saturday’s fixture at Kelso Racecourse celebrates the discovery of a wishing well during the development of the new parade ring less than eighteen months ago.
An unusual structure to be found on a racecourse, the well is believed to be more than 200 years old and lay hidden beneath the main public concourse before the development works began. It was subsequently incorporated into the design of the parade ring viewing steps. Any coins tossed into its water are collected for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
The 2 mile 5 furlong event was won last year by Charlie Mann’s Fixed Rate and the Lambourn trainer has another contender in the shape of The Dubai Way, a winner on his most recent outing which came at Plumpton in March.
Rose Dobbin has her horses fit and healthy after a quiet spell last season. The Northumberland based trainer, who enjoyed a winner at Kelso’s last fixture and scored with Jonniesofa at Ayr on Saturday, is represented by Slanelough.
The big race entries include five previous Kelso winners including ACDC, trained by Chris Grant, Beau Sancy, Bernardelli, Clan Legend and Western Rules. The highest rated horse, on a BHA mark of 131, is Scoop The Pot who is owned by J P McManus and trained by in-form Ben Haslam.
The first race on the programme, the George Harrow Memorial Novices Hurdle Race, has gone to the favourite for the past three renewals and always features some classy individuals. Top trainers such Nicky Richards, Charlie Longsdon, Olly Murphy and Donald McCain could all have runners and the winner will be worth noting for the future.
In addition to the Injured Jockeys Fund there will be opportunities to support the armed forces charity SSAFA, who will be taking over the charity tea room, as well as World Horse Welfare for whom Bruce Farms have sponsored the second race. Local trainer Alison Hamilton will be seeking to make it a family affair with Choix Des Armes ridden by Jamie Hamilton.
Rose Dobbin’s Jack Devine, with Craig Nichol already booked to ride, returns to Kelso for the Graeme Todd and Friends Handicap Hurdle at 1.20pm, a race he won last year.
Lucinda Russell has made a habit of winning the Ian Anderson Memorial Handicap Chase, having taken two of the last three runnings. Scotland’s leading jumps trainer is five-handed at the entry stage with Ain’t My Fault, Effet Special, Le Frank, Saint Freule and Well Above Par.
The family of the late John Urwin, one of Kelso Racecourse’s most ardent supporters, will be on hand to present mementos to the winning connections of the race named in John’s honour at 3.05pm. Donald McCain has a choice of three for the 2½ mile handicap hurdle race including Cousin Oscar, Ormesherand Quids In.
The first of seven races gets under way at 12.10pm and the gates open at 10.00am.
ITV Racing Team at Kelso, Saturday 23rd March
Ed Chamberlin will lead the ITV Racing Team when they make their appearance at Kelso Racecourse this Saturday, 23rd March. Together with regular pundits Mick Fitzgerald, Luke Harvey and Sally Ann Grassick, plus the commentator Richard Hoiles, Chamberlin will present four races live from Kelso including the £50,000 Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Steeplechase.
The feature race of the day has proved a useful stepping stone, in recent years, for emerging equine talent. Lake View Lad, who was third last year, is a leading fancy for next month's Grand National for Scottish trainer Nick Alexander, while the 2015 winner The Last Samuri went on to finish runner-up in the following year's Aintree marathon.
While the likely top-weight is the Paul Nicholls-trained Adrien Du Pont, a winner at Kempton’s Christmas Meeting, much of the interest will centre around dual Kelso winner Blue Flight. Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and owned by Dundee United football club director Jimmy Fyffe, the huge-framed novice chaser is progressing rapidly and looks like a star in the making.
The official going description is ‘Soft’, increasing the likelihood of larger field sizes for the six-race programme which gets underway at 1.50pm.
The first race is the £20,000 EBF / TBA Mares Novices Steeplechase which has attracted eleven entries including the five-time Kelso winner Alizee De Janeiro and the classy southern raider Dalila Du Seuil. Trained by Lucinda Russell, Alizee De Janeiro has already won three races at Kelso this season and is likely to head off to stud later in the year. Any progeny will be expected to become hot favourites at the Borders track!
The £40,000 Bernhard Handicap Hurdle, over 2 miles, is the second race on the programme and while there’ll be no repeat victory for Keyboard Gangster, the Hawick trainer winner from last year, although there’ll be local support for the James Ewart trained Aristo du Plessis, the Pauline Robson trained Martila and Sandy Thomson’s Saint Leo.
The ITV programme will be completed by the £40,000 Paxtons Exclusively Kvernland Handicap Hurdle Race. Trainer Sandy Thomson could hold the key once again, as the Greenlaw trainer is triple-handed with Arthurs Secret, Seemorelights and Buckled. Last year's second Donna's Diamond could be in the line-up once again for Chris Grant in the black and white stripe colours of North East owner David Armstrong.
Mount Mews, who won the Premier Hurdle at Kelso when trained by Malcolm Jefferson, is entered for both of the valuable hurdle races on the programme. Now trained by Donald McCain, the Trevor Hemmings owned gelding declined to race when getting over-excited at Cheltenham where he looked fit and potentially well-treated by the handicapper.
The fifth race on the card, which will be run immediately after ITV go off-air, is the Ashleybank Investments Reg and Betty Tweedie Handicap Chase. Named to commemorate the influential couple, both of whom became Patrons to the racecourse in their own right, the race offers Caraline an opportunity for back-to-back wins after her strike for Middleham trainer Micky Hammond last year. Rebecca Menzies has her horses in great form and she has already booked Conor O'Farrell for recent Catterick winner Halcyon Days.
The biggest entry on the entire card is for the final race, the Ferguson Planning & Development Handicap Hurdle, which could divide if more than half of the entries declare to run. The race is well supported by Lucinda Russell whose four entries include: Ain't My Fault, Saint Freule, Sammy B and Touchedbyanangel.
The gates open at 12 noon.
Grand National Contenders Converge on Kelso
Kelso Racecourse stages the most valuable fixture of the weekend on Saturday 2nd March, when the £60,000 Belhaven Brewery Premier Chase has attracted a quality field including all three of Scotland's contenders for the 2019 Grand National - 2017 hero One For Arthur, Captain Redbeard and Lake View Lad.
Captain Redbeard's Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd said: "He's in tip-top form and it's a good race on our doorstep. He beat Definitly Red nicely at Kelso last time and the plan is to go at his stage."
Nick Alexander, trainer of Lake View Lad, said: "It's really exciting to have a Grand National horse in the yard. We will make a decision nearer the time as he is ground dependant and a better horse when the going is soft."
One For Arthur is trained by Lucinda Russell who&
