Updates
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 said: "Unlike on his way to winning the National, nothing has gone smoothly this time. He schooled on Saturday morning and we are pleased with him but he is also ground dependent and it wouldn’t be the worst thing if he went to Aintree without another run."
The home team could face some stiff opposition from the South including the Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton, a prolific winner normally ridden by Bryony Frost, who holds a Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National entry. The top-rated entry is Nicky Henderson's Terrefort, twice a Grade 1 winner last season, who has a BHA mark of 159.
Paul Nicholls could have a strong say in the feature race of the day, the £50,000 Edinburgh Gin Premier Hurdle. He’s three handed at the entry-stage with smart juvenile Pic D'Orhy, Getaway Trump and Southfield Stone. Nicholls won the event in 2016 with Le Prezien.
Five-time champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson could saddle Dream Du Grand Val, a winner on Kelso's Morebattle Hurdle card recently. Aye Right represents Jedburgh trainer Harriet Graham while Elvis Mail could run for the Kinneston stable Nick Alexander.
The second race on the programme, a 2-mile Novices Steeplechase, is named for Nick Alexander’s late father Cyril and was won by the stable’s Clan Legend when the race was last run in 2017. There’ll be no Kinneston runner in this year’s renewal, but neighbouring Lucinda Russell could run dual Kelso winner Alizee De Janeiro.
Russell could have numerous chances on the valuable card, which carries £163,000 of prize money, including the J. P McManus-owned Grand Morning in the final race of the day, a £12,000 handicap hurdle. Twice a late withdrawal recently, this could be the ideal opening for a horse who completed a hat-trick last spring. Nicky Richards' Glittering Love has a more recent winning sequence as he struck for the third successive time at Ayr in early February.
The gates open at 11.30am on Saturday and the first race is due off at 1.40pm.
Top Quality at Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle Day.
The British Horseracing Authority allowed racing to resume, following a 6 day break after an equine influenza outbreak, just in time for Morebattle Hurdle Day at Kelso. While many racing stables were not quite cleared to have runners in time, leading to smaller fields than usual, the quality of the horses on display was not in question.
Captain Redbeard, sent off at 9/2, upset sole rival and red hot favourite Definitely Red in the £25,000 Malcolm Jefferson Memorial Chase at Kelso on Thursday.
Having sat in behind the front-running 1/6 favourite for much of the race, Sam Coltherd kicked for home aboard Captain Redbeard from the second last and the pair saw off the North’s main hope for the Cheltenham Gold Cup by two lengths.
Winning Selkirk-based trainer Stuart Coltherd said: “That was the plan and Sam rode him to perfection sitting on the tail of Danny Cook on the favourite. We didn’t want the race to develop into a battle and Captain Redbeard has quite a lot of speed for a staying chaser.
“His jumping is better when they go a decent gallop and I’m delighted with that. We only got the all clear to run due to the equine flu outbreak at tea time last night so it was touch and go. His target again is the Grand National and he might be a wee bit well in with 9st 13lb now! He may have one more run before Aintree, possibly back here in the Premier Chase.”
Despite the upset, Definitely Red looks likely to go to Cheltenham next month where his stamina is likely to deployed to better effect. In the meantime, Brian Ellison and owners Julie and Phil Martin gained some compensation when Bordeaux Bill squeaked home at 4/1 in the Brewin Dolphin Handicap Hurdle, a head in front of the Jedburgh trained odds-on favourite Aye Right.
There was a victory for Jedburgh based jockey Callum Bewley aboard Blue Flight in the Timeform Novices Steeplechase. The 2/1 favourite is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and will be a name for the not-book when contesting the top staying chases in a year or two.
Nicky Henderson's We Have A Dream, sent off a 1/4 and for some a live contender for the Champion Hurdle, was an emphatic six length winner of the £30,000 Timeform Morebattle Hurdle.
Winning jockey Daryl Jacob said: “He did that very nicely and we were always in the ideal place. His jumping was pretty good even if he was a little untidy at the last and he felt great. I haven’t spoken to the owners yet regarding Cheltenham, so I’m not sure about the Champion Hurdle as they might not want to be too hard on him this season.”
Henderson was completing a short-priced double as the Lambourn trainer took the opening novices’ hurdle with Nico De Boinville-ridden Dream Du Grand Val.
The next race-meeting at Kelso, on Saturday 2nd March, features the £60,000 Premier Chase and the £50 Premier Hurdle Race.
Kelso Races - Morebattle Hurdle Day
The British Horseracing Authority has given the go ahead for racing to go ahead, following a six day shut-down due to Equine Influenza, just in time for Morebattle Hurdle Day at Kelso Racecourse.
The seven race programme has attracted a bumper entry of 180 horses including Definitely Red in the Malcolm Jefferson Memorial Steeplechase. Trained by Brian Ellison, Definitely Red is unbeaten in the highest company this season and is being targeted at the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.
Run in previous years to commemorate Ivan Straker, the £25,000 Malcolm Jefferson Memorial Chase was won last year by Lucinda Russell’s Big River, owned by the Two Black Labs whose distinctive colours include a silhouette of a black Labrador. Big River is entered once again. Ruth Jefferson, who enjoyed her first winner as a trainer with Cyrus Darius on this card last year, plans to run the promising bumper-horse Black Ebony in the final race of the day, the Racing TV Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Other horses that will be using Thursday’s fixture as a springboard to the Cheltenham Festival include We Have A Dream and Pacha Du Polder.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, who is also planning to run Dream Du Grand Val in the £10,000 Novices Hurdle, We Have A Dream is a live contender for the Champion Hurdle and will start a warm favourite for the feature race of the day, the £30,000 Morebattle Hurdle.
Race named after the late Malcolm Jefferson at Morebattle Hurdle Day
Kelso Racecourse will be honouring Malcolm Jefferson, the Cheltenham Festival winning trainer, by naming a race for him on Morebattle Hurdle Day, Thursday 14th February.
Jefferson, who died just over a year ago, is sadly missed by the northern racing fraternity. His four Cheltenham Festival wins came with Dato Star, Tindari, Cape Tribulation and Attaglance.
Notable successes at Kelso Racecourse included the track’s two most prestigious hurdle prizes in 2017. He took the Premier Novices Hurdle with Mount Mews and the Timeform Morebattle Hurdle Race with Cyrus Darius – the horse which provided daughter Ruth with her first winner, last year, in the same race.
Managing Director of Kelso Races Ltd Jonathan Garratt said, “Malcolm was universally admired by fellow trainers in the North and by racegoers, many of whom backed his horses on racing’s biggest stage. It’s fitting that he should be honoured with a staying race of serious quality, which is why we’ve chosen to name our 3 mile, level weights, Class 2 event the Malcolm Jefferson Memorial Steeplechase.”
Run in previous years as the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase, the £25,000 steeplechase was won last year by Lucinda Russell’s Big River, owned by the Two Black Labs whose distinctive colours include a silhouette of a black Labrador. Big River is being aimed at the race once again.
The feature race of the day is the £30,000 Timeform Morebattle Hurdle. A trial for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, the race was first staged in 1988 and was made popular by Jinxy Jack who gained four wins in-a-row for the late Gordon Richards between 1990 and 1993.
In 2010 Zaynar, at 168 one of the highest rated horses ever to run at Kelso, suffered a major shock when beaten at odds of 1/14 at the hands of Quwetwo. Brian Hughes has become the jockey to follow, as he’s won four of the last six renewals including the last two with Cyrus Darius.
In 2016 Top Notch was successful for Nicky Henderson and the five-time champion jumps trainer is considering running We Have A Dream who runs in the same green colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. The French-bred gelding is being aimed at the Champion Hurdle and was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree's Grand National Festival last spring.
Other races on the seven-race programme, which boasts £100,000 of prize money, include a £10,000 Novice Hurdle, a £14,000 Novices steeplechase and an Open Hunters Steeplechase which could well be targeted by Pacha Du Polder – winner of the last two runnings of the Foxhunter Steeplechase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The first race gets underway at 1.25pm and gates will open at 11.30am.
Festive Crowd to Round Off the Year at Kelso Races
The team behind Kelso Races will be hoping to round-off the year in style on Saturday, 29th December, when the Borders track hosts its final fixture of 2018 with a seven-race programme featuring the £20,000 Children’s Immunology Trust Novices Steeplechase.
Two years ago the feature race was won by the Irish raider Angus Milan, trained by Noel Kelly, in front of a massive crowd. Last year’s race was lost to the weather, but the forecast looks much more favourable this time around with positive night time temperatures and sunny spells predicted for Saturday afternoon.
Debs Thomson, one of the two golf-widows that own Grand National winner One For Arthur, supports the feature race in order to promote the work of the Children’s Immunology Trust. The charity, which is helping to set up an immunology base at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh and fund research at the children’s bone marrow transplant unit in Newcastle, will be raising funds on the raceday.
Despite losing two fixtures when the ‘Beast from the East’ brought snow to the region in March, 2018 has been a record breaking year for Kelso Racecourse. The total amount of prize money offered exceeded £1,250,000 – more than ever before. The course now stages the highest quality jumps programme of any track in Scotland and makes the eighth best contribution to prize money of all the jumps courses in Britain.
In April the ITV racing team broadcast live from the racecourse for the first time in 40 years, when the big race winners included Keyboard Gangster from the Hawick based yard of Donald Whillans. In June worked commenced on the new Parade Ring and Winners Enclosure which was used for the first time amid winds which gusted up to 70 mph at the first fixture of the 2018/19 season in September.
There was more success for local trainers when Sandy Thomson won the £50,000 Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National with Harry The Viking earlier this month.
Jonathan Garratt, Managing Director of Kelso Races, said “We’re gradually improving the race programme and raising prize values every year. It is really satisfying to see local trainers winning the money as we have such a lot of talent in the Borders. They should be rewarded with more horses, and a higher quality of horse, so that over time we’ll eventually rival the best of the yards in the South.”
Entries for Saturday’s races will be made on Wednesday, slightly later than usual due to the Christmas holiday. The first of the seven races is due off at 11.45pm, with the gates opening at 10.00am. There will be musical entertainment after racing in the Paddock-side marquee.
While there will be plenty of tickets available at the entrance, racegoers can save money by booking online before 2pm on Thursday 27th December – safe in the knowledge that if there were any weather mishaps like last year’s, with no racing taking place, all admission monies would be refunded automatically. Advance tickets are £15, the on-the-day price is £20, while all accompanied children aged 17 and under are admitted free of charge.
Scottish Borders National - 9th December
Preparations are well underway for Kelso’s richest race of the Autumn, the £50,000 Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National, which will be staged on Sunday 9th December.
In order to provide fresh ground for the big race, the steeplechase fences have been moved sideways during the four week gap since the last race-meeting. The obstacles have been refurbished with fresh birch and the running-rail realigned.
Racehorse owner Jim Beaumont is hoping to lift the trophy for the fourth time in succession, having been successful with Neptune Equester in 2014 and 2015, as well as Harry The Viking in 2016. Beaumont will be relying once again on Harry The Viking who is trained locally by Sandy Thomson.
The 2017 running of the race was abandoned due to heavy frost and officials at the track are hopeful that they’ll escape the cold weather this time around. Jonathan Garratt, Managing Director of Kelso Races Ltd, said “We’ve an excellent covering of grass and we’ve purchased additional ground-cover sheets which help us to protect vulnerable areas from frost.”
£125,000 of prize money will be on offer across the seven race programme, which includes the £30,000 Scotty Brand Veterans Chase and the £15,000 Paris Pike Novices Chase. The two races attract quality horses at opposite ends of their careers and are therefore particularly popular events for Kelso’s enthusiastic racegoers.
There’ll be a festive theme across the venue, as racegoers gather for a pre-Christmas celebration. Visitors can expect to meet a giant Santa on stilts – with plenty of time to tell him what they’d like for Christmas. A jazz band will greet visitors at the entrance with traditional festive tunes.
The first race is due off at 12.00 noon and the gates will be open from 10.00am.
Treats in Store at Kelso Halloween Meeting
A huge number of entries have been received for Kelso’s Halloween Fixture on Saturday 27th October. Recent rain and autumnal weather has helped racehorse trainers to hone the fitness of the horses in their charge, while the ground at Kelso is officially described as Good.
Grand National hero One For Arthur was a winner on this programme two years ago and the races staged at this October fixture frequently attract horses that go on to win major races later in the season.
Last year’s programme featured the Paul Nicholls trained As De Mee, owned by Dame Judy Dench - a previous winner over Aintree’s Grand National fences. The Lucinda Russell trained Big River won the novice chase on the programme and could be destined for Aintree glory himself – so the races are well worth watching and the winners noting.
This year Lucinda Russell relies upon Arizona Bound in the Clifford & Martin Firth Memorial Novice’s Chase - already a winner over fences who carries the colours of Kelso Lowflyers syndicate, a group of annual members of the racecourse – as well as Chanceiton owned by her father Peter. An interesting raider, and chasing debutante from the south, could be Mahler's First from the Devon yard of Victor Dartnall.
The Ian Anderson Memorial Maiden Hurdle Race divided into two races last season and Rose Dobbin, who landed the second division with Some Reign, bids for more success with Definite Wisdom and The Hollow Chap. Inverurie-based Jackie Stephen is Britain's most northerly trainer and she is double-handed with Captain Kurt and Starozov.
All the top stables are represented in the feature race of the day, the 3-mile EDF Handicap Steeplechase, including Jonjo O'Neill, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Kim Bailey, David Pipe, Donald McCain and Nicky Richards. The highest rated horse on parade is Fergal O'Brien-trained Perfect Candidate, an early casualty in last season's Grand National who has a BHA mark of 152.
Michael Scudamore's Mysteree was the winner of the 2017 Eider Chase at Newcastle while Tom Lacey-trained Thomas Partick was successful in Grade 3 company at Aintree last April.
Civil Unrest and Ailizee De Janeiro, second and third in the Sir Maxwell Harper Gow Handicap Hurdle Race, are among the massive 28 entries for the 2018 renewal. Dual Kelso bumper winner Tokaramore, bred in Berwickshire by Ailie Tullie, puts her unbeaten course record on the line as she samples her first taste of a handicap hurdle.
Nick Alexander has his three-time course winner Benny's Secret entered along with stablemate Jet Master for the Carnacrack Handicap Hurdle at 4.40pm. Irish trainer John McConnell, who saddled a double at Kelso's opening meeting of the autumn, has pencilled in his two-time winning hurdler Roi De Dubai.
Ascot De Bruyere, trained by James Ewart, was the horse that supplied now-retired Brian Harding with his final winner when successful at Kelso in March 2017. He’s an entry in the final race of the day at 5.15pm. Wyfield Rose, owned by borders-based John and Liz Elliot and trained by Dianne Sayer, has already scored this Autumn when making all at Sedgefield early last month.
Irish singer/songwriter, Craig McMorrow, a competitor on The Voice Ireland in 2014, will be providing the post racing entertainment in the Pavilion Marquee followed by a DJ.
The gates open at 12.00 noon and the first race is due off at 1.50pm.
For further information: Jonathan Garratt, Kelso Races, 07771 660114 / Lauren Burns 01573 221221
Border Principals Race Day at Kelso Races – Sunday 7th October
The fifteenth running of the Annual Border Principals Race, at Kelso Racecourse, takes place on Sunday 7th October. The four-furlong dash, staged for the first time in 2004, features fourteen riders (listed below) – each of whom has represented their town this year during the Ridings.
The race celebrates the broad equestrian culture that exists throughout the Scottish Borders and provides the focal point for one of the largest social gatherings of the Border Ridings Season. As usual, horses will be allocated at random and the race will take place at 1.15pm before the National Hunt races commence.
The feature race of the day is the £40,000 NSPCC School Service Handicap Steeplechase. The 2 mile race is sponsored by Ray and Anita Green, on behalf of the charity, and they have a likely runner in the shape of Upsilon Bleu, trained by the Otterburn based Pauline Robson.
The race represents one of the first significant skirmishes of the core National Hunt season and has become a traditional starting point for the Grade 1 winning chaser Simply Ned, who has won the race twice and been second twice in the last four renewals. He’ll re-oppose Theflyingportrait, who won the race in 2016, the David Pipe trained Vaniteux, Vosne Romanee and the locally owned Mixboy.
The first race, the Radio Borders Handicap Hurdle, also features the first and second from last year among a strong field of seventeen entries. Newstart, who won the race last season for Brian Ellison is now trained by Katie Scott, while Martila is another runner for the Pauline Robson / Ray Green combination.
Donald McCain could hold the key to the 2 mile novice hurdle race as he’s double handed at the entry stage with the smart pair: Val Mome and Noah And The Ark. Hitman Fred could be an interesting runner for Rose Dobbin.
Harriet Graham’s Aye Right landed a nice gamble at the opening meeting of the season and could reappear in the Alistair Rutherford’s Retirement Novices Hurdle. The race has been named for Alistair, who retires from Andersons Butchers this year and will present the mementoes to the winning connections after the race.
The Queens Head Hotel, located just off the square in Kelso, is a popular staging post for trainers and stable staff who are staying over the night before a raceday and owner Mark Hay has become a regular sponsor at the local track. The Queens Head Novices Handicap Chase features double entries from Rebecca Menzies and Mick Hammond, both of whom tend to have plenty of runners at Kelso throughout the season. Swinton Diamond may be the pick for Mick Hammond, while Tanacando is worth a second look for trainer Tim Vaughan.
The final race of the day, attracting 29 entries, is the P&G Allan Catering Handicap Hurdle. Slaney Craiglegacy is another winner from Kelso’s first Autmun meeting, losing her maiden tag at the 17th attempt. The mare is trained near Alnwick, in Northumberland, by Hugh Burns who is originally from East Lothian. Irish trainer John McConnell is also a qualified vet and he has close recent Clonmel runner-up, Montys Angel, earmarked for the race.
The gates will for Kelso’s Sunday fixture at 12.30pm. The Border Principals Race is due off at 1.15pm and the first official race at 2.20pm; the final race at 5.25pm.
2018-19 Tickets go on sale Monday
Our 2018 -19 season is nearly here! We are excited to announce that tickets will go on sale on Monday 6th of August at 12 Noon, however there are a few small changes...
The Racecourse will now be operating with only ONE ENCLOSURE, taking down barriers between paddock and members areas to create more space, better accessibility as well as a more friendly and welcoming environment for all.
Early Bird Tickets will remain at the same price of £10 (£20 for Ladies day) however we only have 3000 available across the season so you better move quick, as once they're gone, they're gone!
Advance tickets priced at £15 (£25 on ladies day) will be available to purchase up until 48 hours prior to the raceday. All tickets bought up until a week in advance of the raceday will now be posted out.
Please note we will no longer be offering any concession tickets on the day, so make sure you buy early for our best price.
We look forward to welcoming you to Kelso Racecourse soon!
William Hill to open betting facilities on all Scottish Racecourses
Scottish Racing is delighted to announce a partnership with William Hill which sees the bookmaker open betting facilities on racecourses in Scotland.
The on-course betting facilities at Ayr, Kelso, Hamilton Park, Musselburgh and Perth are to be operated by William Hill from Saturday 14th July, which coincides with Hamilton Park’s evening fixture that day, and is followed by racing at Perth on Sunday 15th and Ayr on Monday 16th.
This agreement between Scottish Racing and William Hill follows on from the long-term sponsorship of the Ayr Gold Cup, the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh and previous sponsorship of Hamilton Park’s Braveheart Night.
William Hill’s Divisional Director, Steven White, said: “We have a long and proud association with Racing in Scotland, which has gone from strength to strength in recent years. We are very excited about extending our presence to the on-course betting facilities across the country’s racecourses and are confident that this will be a long and successful partnership.”
Scottish Racing Manager, Delly Innes, said: “by partnering with William Hill, Scotland’s largest high-street bookmaker, we’re providing customers at all our racecourses with a complete betting experience. They can now enjoy the action on the track, whilst also being able to watch and bet on other race meetings and sports. William Hill’s facilities are well placed to meet all customers’ needs and thrive in the years ahead.”
First May day – Wednesday 9th May 2018
The penultimate fixture of the season takes place at Kelso on Wednesday, 9th May. The Borders jumps track traditionally takes a break during the Summer before recommencing racing in September.
The first May meeting has been kind to punters in previous years and there were seven well-backed winners at this fixture in 2017, including four winning favourites. The first race gets off at 2.00pm with the Principal & Prosper Novices’ Hurdle Race. James Ewart, hopes to make a flying start with Calix Delafayette, who romped home over a shorter trip at Kelso on April 16.
The Kelso Handicap Hurdle Race promises to be quite a hot race. Nicky Richards is entering Top Billing, who is dropping back in trip, with Graystown stepping up in distance for Stuart Coltherd. James Ewart is pencilling in Ascot De Bruyere, who gave Brian Harding his final winner when scoring at Kelso last March.
Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd has put his Grand National runner Captain Redbeard out to grass for the summer and he expects to be represented by Achill Road Boy in the fourth race, The Bedmax Handicap Steeple Chase, following on from his win at Carlisle in late March. Wicked Spice reverts to fences for Nicky Richards after a couple of spins over hurdles.
The Scotty Brand Handicap Steeple Chase, over an extended two-mile trip, was won in impressive style last year by Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell with King’s Wharf, who is now in the Lambden yard of Sandy Thomson. He could attempt to go for back to back wins.
In the final race of the day, James Ewart intends to enter both Cellar Vie and Marocchino from his Langholm yard while Nicky Richards is looking at the race for Glinger Flame who carries the colours of former Carlisle racecourse chairman James Westoll and was an encouraging third on his debut at Newcastle in November.
Quick Turnaround for Buccleuch Day
There’ll be a quick turnaround at Kelso Racecourse, following Saturday’s high profile fixture, as the Borders track hosts Buccleuch Cup Day on Monday 16th April.
The first race, The Duncan and Margaret Sinclair Memorial Novices’ Hurdle Race, is off at 2.10pm. Lucinda Russell holds a strong hand with three entries including Chasseur do Tete, Le Frank and Prince Dundee.
Next on the card is The Tarrag Naegel Ltd Handicap Hurdle Race in which Russell’s Hail Us In could make a quick reappearance, having won at Kelso on Saturday. She also trains Jump For Dough, who runs in the colours of the Low Flyers Syndicate, a group of annual members at the racecourse.
Oscar O'Scar is an intended runner in The Border Carers Centre Handicap Steeple Chase for Middleham trainer Micky Hammond, who also had a winner at Kelso's richest-ever fixture last Saturday. Micky said: "We're keen to run him as he's been entered at loads of meetings that have been abandoned for various reasons. He's been placed over hurdles at Kelso and won a race over fences at the track about this time two years ago."
Sandy Thomson, whose stable star Seeyouatmidnight runs in the Grand National on Saturday, intends to pencil in John Williams in the fifth race of the day. The Greenlaw-trained gelding was a close runner-up on the corresponding card last year.
The Brewin Dolphin Buccleuch Cup is always well supported by the Borders Point-to-Point community and Diamond Brig, Chanceiton and Whisperdale are possible entries for well-known connections. Diamond Brig, home-bred and trained by Wendy Hamilton, and has two wins between the flags to his name this year.
Chanceiton, trained by Lucinda Russell and owned by her father Peter, has point to point wins at Alnwick and Corbridge to his name this term. Whisperdale is trained by Stuart Coltherd's wife Lesley and made all to score at Alnwick on Easter Monday.
Gates open at 12.10pm and tickets will be available at the entrance on the day.
Party in the Paddock – Saturday 7th of April 2018
Inclement weather didn’t dissuade the crowds from flocking to Kelso on Saturday, from where ITV were broadcasting live coverage of the richest ever programme of races at the Borders track. A crowd of more than three and half thousand racegoers gathered for the meeting which boasted £166,000 in prize money.
Smooth Stepper, trained by Sue Smith, stormed away with the feature race, the £50,000 Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Steeplechase. Ridden by a Danny Cook, the 16/1 chance saw off Baywing by eight lengths. Cook said: “He didn’t stay last time in the Eider Chase at Newcastle and he’s kept finding and finding today. We’ve been handy the whole way round as they went a relentless gallop from the start.”
The going was officially heavy, although rain throughout the afternoon eased the ground to make is less holding. The valuable races attracted runners from far and wide, but that didn’t prevent a 28/1 victory for the home team in the totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle. Keyboard Gangster, trained in Hawick by Donald Whillans and ridden by his son Callum Whillans, got home by three-quarters of a length and a head from Reverant Cust and Taxmeifyoucan.
Callum Whillans said: “He has been a bit wayward so we tried a hood and a ring bit on him as it appeared to help. I came over to the stands side as the hurdles were against the rail and gave him nowhere to go. He likes this ground and there might be something at Perth later this month. We will keep him at two miles for the moment as he is a bit too keen to stay further.”
Kris Spin was a first Kelso winner for both trainer Kerry Lee and jockey Richard Patrick in the Edinburgh Gin Handicap Hurdle. Herefordshire-based Lee said: “I came up here when my father was training but these were the first runners in my own licence today. The prize money is great and we’ve been really well looked after so we will definitely be back.”
A further local win came when Haul Us In justified favouritism in the Belhaven Best Handicap Hurdle for Hawick jockey Blair Campbell and trainer Lucinda Russell.
The next fixture at Kelso Races is Buccleuch Cup Day, Monday 16th April. Gates open 12.10pm with first race off at 2.10pm
Premier Hurdle Day - Sunday 11th March
The prestigious Totepool Premier Hurdle Race-day at Kelso Racecourse has been rescheduled for Sunday 11th March.
The original programme, which attracted high class entries including the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Bristol de Mai, was abandoned following heavy snowfall ahead of last weekend. The addition of a further handicap hurdle to the programme means that there will now be seven races instead of six.
Racecourse Managing Director Jonathan Garratt said “Having spoken to many of the trainers who had horses engaged in the abandoned meeting, we knew that many of them were desperate for us to reschedule if it was at all possible. While the track still has a covering of snow, the thaw is quite well advanced and the forecast is for much milder weather towards the end of the week.”
Paul Johnson, Head of Racing at the BHA, said: "With Scotland and the far north of England suffering disproportionately from abandonments this season, we have taken the unusual step of adding in an additional third Sunday fixture onto 11th March in order to ensure that the race programme continues to cater for horses which may have missed recent engagements due to the poor weather.
"With the help of Kelso and the Levy Board we are pleased to also have been able to take the opportunity to reschedule the two feature races from the original card and expect them to offer a Sunday highlight this week."
The Totepool Premier Chase has been increasingly used as a springboard to Aintree and the original entry attracted both of Scotland’s Grand National hopes: the Sandy Thompson trained Seeyouatmidnight and Stuart Coltherd’s Captain Redbeard. They would face stiff opposition from the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Bristol De Mai, who ran away with the Betfair Chase earlier in the season and who is being prepared for a tilt at the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl. Paul Nicholls could be represented by Warriors Tale and dual Scottish National winner Vicente.
The Totepool Premier Hurdle has been won in the past by useful sorts such as Glingerburn, Le Prezien, Mount Mews and Clever Cookie - who subsequently developed into a Group horse on the Flat. Kevin Ryan's Beyond The Clouds, unbeaten in all three hurdle starts, was one of those in the original line-up with winning Kelso form, having scored at the Borders track in October.
The seven race programme, which boasts more than £103,000 in prize money, is set to get underway shortly after 2.00pm (exact race times to be confirmed), with the gates opening at 12.15pm and first race at 2.10pm.
For further information: Contact Kelso Racecourse, 01573 221221.
Morebattle Hurdle Day Report
CYRUS DARIUS gained an emotional success in the Timeform Morebattle Hurdle to supply Ruth Jefferson with her first ever winner as a trainer, having taken over the licence following the death of her father Malcolm earlier this month.
Brian Hughes, successful earlier on aboard Taxmeifyoucan, was always confident on the 5/2 chance who slammed Better Getalong by twelve lengths to win the prestigious event for the second year in a row.
Ruth Jefferson said: “I’m delighted with that as the horses have all been running well. He’s a lovely big horse and we’re not ruling out going back over fences. We’ve no plans but I’d say we'll mix and match it with him hurdling and chasing.”
Big River saw off Shantou Flyer in pleasing style to land the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase by four and a half lengths in the hands of Derek Fox. Winning trainer Lucinda Russell said: “He loves it round here as that’s five wins from six visits. He’s in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham but I’m not sure if that’s the race for him; he could wait for the valuable novice chase at Uttoxeter soon after.
“I’m delighted to win this race as Major Straker gave me a valuable reference when I applied for a licence some twenty years ago.”
Sir Jack Yeats looks to be Festival-bound, following his victory by the narrowest of margins, in the Office Bar Hawick Hunters’ Steeplechase. Ridden by James King, the seven year old gelding just got up to beat Cultram Abbey and looks capable of featuring prominently in the Foxhunters Steeplechase at Cheltenham.
Sean Bowen made the long journey from Wales worthwhile, by scoring on Ron’s Dream in the Mares Novices Steeplechase. Meanwhile local jockeys were to the fore with winners for the Jedburgh born Callum Bewley, aboard Mac N Cheese in the Brewin Dolphin Handicap Hurdle, and Callum Whillans from Hawick aboard Dali Mail in the final event of the day.
Morebattle Hurdle Day – 15th Feb 2018
Entries for one of Kelso’s most prestigious races, the Timeform Morebattle Hurdle, to be staged on Thursday 15th February, will close on Friday 9th February. The £25,000 feature race is one of three races on the valuable programme regularly used as stepping stones towards next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
A recognised trial for the Champion Hurdle, the Timeform Morebattle Hurdle is run over a distance of two miles and two furlongs, often attracting a small but very high quality field of runners. The roll of honour includes some of the sport’s most popular performers including: Large Action, Direct Route, Peddlers Cross and Simonsig, not to mention the Gordon Richards’ trained Jinxy Jack who scored four times between 1990 and 1993.
Last year’s renewal was won by Cyrus Darius, saddled by Malcolm Jefferson who sadly passed away earlier this month. The Norton based trainer will be greatly missed by everyone associated with the sport of horseracing and his passing will add a poignancy to proceedings at this year’s meeting.
Nicky Richards, who has won the race twice in the last five years, hopes to run Better Getalong, a highly regarded young hurdler who has been placed at Cheltenham in Grade 2 company already this season. He carries the colours of David Wesley Yates, an owner best known for his association with spring-heeled grey Monet's Garden who happened to win a bumper at Kelso during his formative years.
The main supporting race, also with a prize fund of £25,000, is the Ivan Straker Memorial Steeple Chase, run over a distance just short of three miles. Last year’s winner, Saphir Du Rheu, went on to finish a very creditable fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is due to make his seasonal reappearance at Kelso before heading back to Cheltenham once more.
The Paul Nicholls trained chaser could be joined by Tea For Two, the horse that gave Lizzie Kelly her first Grade 1 winner as a jockey. Tea For Two has been placed in the last two renewals of the King George VI Chase and is another seeking glory at the Festival.
Lucinda Russell intends to run Big River, a real course specialist with his five previous course trips yielding four wins and a second. He's owned by Two Black Labs so look out for his distinctive colours featuring the silhouette of a dog on the front and paw prints on the sleeves and cap!
The John Wade Group Hunterchase, the sixth of seven races on the card, usually features at least one or two horses seeking to qualify for the Foxhunter’s Steeplechase at Cheltenham. Last year’s race was won by Charles Levinson's Premier Portrait who upset the 1/8 favourite Black Thunder by a short head. Potential entries include Winged Crusader, runner-up to impressive Festival-bound Wonderful Charm at Musselburgh last Sunday and the Nicky Richards' trained Cultram Abbey.
Gates will open at 11.25am, with the first of seven races getting underway two hours later at 1.25pm.
For further information about racing at Kelso: Jonathan Garratt, 07771 660114.
Tasty Programme for Burns Pudding Race Meeting
The thaw has arrived just in time for the Burns Pudding Race Meeting at Kelso on Thursday 25th January.
