KELSO – Sunday October 4th
Going – Good to Firm (Good in places)
A competitive card and a well attended meeting as Kelso’s
autumn campaign cranked up a notch. The ground was on the quick side, but
pre-meeting course walk revealed a beautiful covering of grass and certainly no
jar in the ground.
The first race of the afternoon was the Border Principals
Race held over two furlongs. The start of the ‘Common Riding Championship’ is
often a shambles but the starter was on his job today and got them away to a
level break. A close race resulted with the Fraser Hastie keeping the spoils at
home, winning for Kelso but just under a length from the Lockerbie rider Ian
Miller.
2.05 2m Newcastle Arms Handicp Hurdle (90-115)
A tight looking contest to open the card, but two pulled clear
in the closing stages.
Maurice Barnes generally has his string pretty well forward
at this stage of the season. His DYNAMIC DRIVE went down a bit freely, but
settled nicely, made headway from two out and took control on the run-in. A
rise of 11lbs didn’t stop him after a Hexham win and he looks in really good
fettle. With a rise he can remain in this class which might allow a treble.
Noel Kelly campaigned MIGHTY WHITEY in some competitive looking
contests in Ireland with no success. He looks more at home in softer races in the
UK and set a nice pace here, having all bar the second beaten by the last but
unable to hold that one’s challenge. A sound effort and he’s worth noting if
returning here for a similar contest.
ENDEAVOR had his chance but was held before the last. Often
thereabouts he will probably pop up again this season if things go his way.
PUSH ME had conditions to suit, but raced in rear as is her
proven way and stayed on for a never nearer fourth.
ROCKABILLY RIOT has his chance two out but faded on the run
to the last.
LOVE MARMALADE was made favourite on the basis of solid flat
form, but he isn’t as good over the sticks and was beaten not far after
halfway.
2.35 2m Edinburgh’s Mathers Bar Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)
No strength in depth in this event.
SINDARBAN doesn’t look particularly good in his slower paces
and I marked him down on paddock inspection. His handicap mark of 104 doesn’t
all that far off and he clearly has some ability. Taking closer order three
out, he led at the last and stayed on well enough.
BOWDLER’s MAGIC general profile wasn’t encouraging, but he
ran a decent enough race. He led or disputed for much of the way, but gave two
out a serious belt and that may have made the difference as he took a few
strides to get back on an even keel.
SUMMER STROM came into this top rated of those with an
official mark, but faded on the run-in after looking dangerous two out.
BEECHWOOD ALLY had hood added to tongue tie and returned to
something like the form that gave her on third place on hurdling debut. She had
a chance approaching the last but was worried out of it.
The only encouragement from the remainder was for PARLOUR OF
DREAMS. A winning pointer, he looks more of a chaser and ran well for a long
way before fading quickly in the straight. He has possibilities in weak steeplechases
over the minimum trip.
3.15 2m 7½f Geoff & Elspeth Celebration Novices’
Handicap Chase (80-108)
PRESENT FLIGHT was fittest looking of these off a break. His
jumping was sticky early, but he stretched on encouragingly in the latter
stages and was clear before the last. A nice effort and he has the look of a potentially
fair staying handicapper.
DERRYFADDA jumped very well in front, but thumping three out
proved to be crucial as the winner came swinging alongside him on the run to
the next. He kept on well if held by the winner, and this double point win
shouldn’t have to wait too long to break his steeplechasing duck.
LONGUEVILLE FLYER has huge feet which look just the business
for ploughing through the mud. None of that here, so third place doesn’t seem a
bad effort even though outpaced before the home turn. A pointing winner, he is
worth keeping an eye on.
SGT BULL BERRY couldn’t continue his improvement and was struggling
before the home turn.
BAYFIRTH is basically a fairly slow hunter chaser. Mike
Smith got a handicap win out of him at Cartmel, but he’s moved to his owner’s
Carluke yard since and he hasn’t gone on.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY was off the bridle early and behind from
four out.
EMKAE, nervous sort in the preliminaries, whacked the fourth
fence and came down.
3.50 2m 5f Borders Employment Law Intermediate Hurdle (Class
4)
This contest has thrown up fair performers in the past and
the winner looks a decent sort.
HELLO GEORGE, looking as if he can still be made a little
fitter, led and dictated a pace as his jockey chose. Kicked on after two out he
was clear at the last and won in pleasing fashion.
COOKING FAT looks a chaser in waiting, even at the age of
four, but is doing nicely for Dianne Sayer over hurdles. He closed three out
but was held after two out, though keeping on well enough for a sound second
place. I shall be keeping an eye on how this one is campaigned.
WELCOME BEN ran up to his best and was driven to win a
private battle for third place. A decent effort and his trainer should be able
to place him to win again. In general the stable favour the good ground for
their horses.
THORPE runs some decent races but is difficult to win with,
his Listed race fell for him last season. He driven and outpaced before two out
though did keep on to the line.
WATERCLOCK raced prominently but gave way from two out. This
was more competitive than the race he won here last time.
SLANEY STAR was up against it at these weights and outpaced from
three out, while RAIFTIERI is slow and was presumably sent for the appearance
money and the hope one or two might dip out. The fact that BENVARDIN couldn’t
even keep up with Raifteiri tells a tale.
4.20 2m 1f NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase (131-157)
SIMPLY NED is a class act and has been a favourite of mine
ever since his appearances here in bumpers. He’s just below top class, but hasn’t
been totally disgraced in Grade 1s. He had too much in this company, once again
well prepared for the early opportunity, staying on well from two out and in
charge on the run-in. Full marks to Kelso for putting on an event which
attracts decent rated animals, making my course membership more than worthwhile.
ROBIN’S COMMAND has progressed over the last two summers and
arguably produced a personal best running a stormer in this company. He raced
prominently, and led briefly before two out. The winner was too good but Robin’s
Command did well to hold a talented third. He is an exciting animal in quick
conditions.
CROCO BAY, third in the Grand Annual last year, made a
respectable return to the track. He will likely come on for this and will be
sniffing after the top two mile handicaps this season.
DUNRAVEN STORM jumped extravagantly early, and rather to the
right. He disputed or led until fading away from two out. His jumping went to
pot last season and he doesn’t look completely straightforward.
LISBON hit the fifth fence and never got in a blow. He looks
high in the weights over fences.
FAIR DILEMMA was behind from three out. He looks on a high
mark.
4.55 2m 7½f Walking The Courses Handicap Chase (71-97)
Richard Farquhar completed the Kelso leg of his 13 month UK
wide tour in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK and Racing Welfare. Good luck to
Richard going forward.
I’m pretty much on speaking terms with most of these six
horses! However, it was a comparative newcomer, recent Rose Dobbin acquisition DONAPOLLA
who did the business. He raced close up, led two out and had the race won at
the last. He looks better than basement level.
SOLWAY BAY was on the stretch quite a way out, but he stays
all day and kept on determinedly from two out to take second. He’s proving
difficult to win with but regularly runs his race and is a credit to the
Harrisons.
GENEROUS CHIEF as out the back for most of the way but did
best work in the last half mile to take third. He has ability but is not
reliable.
REVERSE THE CHARGE led on the final circuit, but faded when
headed two out.
WINTER ALCHEMY often goes well around here, but he’s a moody
sort and faded having led to the thirteenth.
BESCOT SPRINGS is capable on his day but has two ways of
running. He was in negative mode on this occasion and beaten three out.
5.30 2m 6½f Radio Borders Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (78-92)
James Ewart found a weak race for TOUCH OF STEEL last time,
and presumably couldn’t believe his luck to find this dire event. He set the
pace and stayed on well up the straight. A good stayer and currently taking some
passing at this level.
Minor entertainment was provided by MARLEE MASSIE who
decanted Lucy Alexander at the third. He raced around the outside of the track
loose, turned round at the second last and then raced up and down the far end
of the track with his trainer following progress through binoculars. Luckily he
stayed clear of the remaining runners.
DESTINY AWAITS was the one who put it to the winner in the
straight, but he was held from the last.
MISS JOEKING hasn’t shown an awful lot to date and a third place
in this company probably isn’t worth too much.
WARKSBURN BOY was outpaced from two out on handicap debut.
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