Kelso Ladies Day Summary

KELSO – Sunday May 26^th

Other commitments kept me away from Kelso for Ladies’ Day, but kept up with the action via race replays on www.sportinglife.com . Replays are free via Skybet and they generally post them up quite quickly.

The opening novices’ hurdle was won comfortably by Some Day Soon from the other main contender Valentino Dancer. However, the one that caught my eye was the third BROKOPONDO. Given just enough encouragement to finish a comfortable third he was last of the remaining three to come off the bridle and showed enough to suggest he will make a mark once handicapped.

The novices’ handicap chase over the minimum distance (2m 1f) was won by FELIX MENDELSSOHN who started for Aidan O’Brien in Ireland and raced in Listed company for David Simcock on the Flat in 2015. He’s dropped back from that level but has done what was required to win at Perth and then here. There a fast pace but even then the winner looked to idle a bit in front late on. His mark will still be low enough to seek out similar events at the likes of Perth and Cartmel in the coming weeks.

LOVELY SCHTUFF plugged on for second and should give the Stephen stable some fun in low level two milers. LYCIDAS jumped extravagantly but not always accurately in front and paid for a number of howlers as he weakened after two out.

The 2m Coppola Family Handicap Hurdle looked a decent event if only attracting six runners. ST GALLEN was having only his fourth race, won a maiden last time, and looks a nice type to progress over the summer for Olly Murphy. The winner got first run on MANAMITE who has proved a decent handicap hurdler, was tapped for speed as they quickened after two out but then saw his race out well enough to suggest he can win again before long.

The next event was a 2m 7f Class 3 Handicap Chase, a contest landed by Olly Murphy’s BEAU SANCY to give the stable a quick fire double. The winner eased to the front at the last and won with any amount to spare and Murphy will have an eye on the better staying handicap chases over the summer.

VIENS CHERCHER had an uncontested lead for most of the way but was quickly outpointed by the winner. Of those behind, Cultram Abbey and Lowanbehold ran their race but are well exposed veterans. Elusive Theatre is a temperamental sort, and was fighting a losing battle when decanting his rider two out, while Blue Kascade jumped scruffily and was beaten four out.

The four runner staying novices’ handicap chase was won by CAKE DE L’ISLE, the most fluent jumper of the three that finished. I’m not quite sure how much the winner achieved as Petite Ganache laboured a bit in finishing second though plodding on to the end. Fly Rory Fly jumped sketchily and was well beaten from three out. Potters Story was pulled up after clouting the second fence down the side first time round.

The Hunters’ Chase boasted the biggest field for such an event in Scotland this season, justifying the £7,000 first prize. A waiting race of the highest order ridden by Jamie Alexander on RACING PULSE who made headway steadily on the last circuit, coming to take it up after the last and forging on. Alexander gave a few years and more to the other pilots but his years of race experience clearly made a difference, though he did have to ‘summon a taxi’ after his mount made a clumsy leap at the first!

MR MERCURIAL looked the most obvious choice and looked the likely winner approaching the last, but was outpointed on the run to the line and held into third.

SHIMLA DAWN led or disputed most of the way and was still there with every chance at the last, while NINE ALTARS was another performing most creditably having taken on the leader for much of the second circuit and kept on well for second place.

ZAKHAROVA made experience pay in winning the closing mares’ bumper. That was a third win and she should make hay in mares’ novice hurdle company going forward. It was a fairly narrow win, but her rider used no more than hands and heels and I suspect there was a fair bit more in the tank.

Nicky Richards introduced three and by far the best performance came from HEADSCARF LIL, the only one to give the winner the hurry up. She stayed on strongly up the straight and must surely win a bumper.

The rest were soundly beaten though another Richards newcomer KITTY HALL went well enough to the home turn. Lack of condition seemed to tell from that point and there was more than a hint of greenness. I suspect there will be better to come in time.

Kelso now takes a rest for the summer before a September return. In meantime I expect to take in two or three of the meetings at Perth alongside a few flat meetings. I can't guarantee a full report each time but will flag up horses to follow.

Flat horses to keep an eye on.

I’ve been caught up with commitments to other activities lately so not able to do as much horse racing stuff as I would like. The local Rotary Club has taken up a fair bit of time, but does give me a excuse to run a race night which was very popular and also taken parties to Perth and Hamilton in recent times.

I thought I would try to put up a few horses that I spot this season on the northern flat circuit.

My flat season started with a visit to Hamilton where I picked up a couple of interesting horses both of which have run since.

RARE GROOVE came clear in good style in the 1m 5f Class 3 Buttonhook Handicap. He subsequently ran midfield in a hot looking Class 2 event over 1m 4f at York which doesn’t look bad form as he was held up and unable to get in a blow. He’s currently on a mark of 94 which should be workable for a Class 3 event of the weaker Class 2 handicaps. Well held when running over 1m 6f, but I see no reason why he shouldn’t be suited by the slightly stiffer test.

Second in the above race was CHARLES KINGSLEY who has yet to win a race, but might be a typical Mark Jophnston horse that toughs it out and wins races by having more determination than his rivals. Currently on a mark of 87 and there should be a handicap or two to be won in the coming months on the northern circuit.

Six-year-old sprinters are not normally my cup of tea, but LATHOM caught my eye chasing home Spirit Of Wedza in the opening Class 5 sprint handicap. He hasn’t won a race since the Super Sprint at Newbury in 2015, and was off the track last season. He stuck his head down determinedly and chased home a winner that got a jump on him, clearly retaining ability and enthusiasm. He subsequently ran a cracker when a neck second to rejuvenated Duke Of Firenze at Thirsk and the latter franked the form impressively in better company at York yesterday. Lathom really ought to pick up a 0-75 or 0-80 event to start with and may progress from there.

Fourth horse to keep an eye on is Richard Fahey’s MR DIAMOND who opened the season with a narrow win a 7 furlong Class 4 handicap at Wetherby. He then ran a creditable fifth in a Class 2 event at Goodwood. He was held up and his rider looked for the gap at the cutaway two out, but the end result favoured those coming down the centre so the form might be better than initial impression suggests. A mark of 82 gives room for manoeuvre class wise so his trainer should find another race soon.