Perth Festival - Day 3

PERTH - Friday April 25th

Going - Soft

A decent crowd in for the final day of the Festival at around 4,000. Perth made it a 'Premier Raceday' which is stretching the limits of that description given that the best races were only Class 3. An admission price of £22 for Grandstand is on the pricey side and £17 for the Centre Course enclosure is bordering on taking the mickey for an enclosure with limited facilities. Although I don't have racecourse pass this year I was at least able to save myself £4 through the Racegoers' Club. I enjoy watching from centre course but allow myself paddock and grandstand access.

Gripes over and the racing was competitive enough though since the Festival was introduced in 1989 the meeting has become gradually more top heavy with handicaps, five out of seven on this card.

2.00 2m ½f Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer NH Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)

FOND MEMORY made a decent impression on handicap debut at Newbury and made up for a subsequent disappointing effort at Exeter. Always travelling well he challenged two out and led before the last, a clumsy leap there not stopping him too much.

FINAL PASS created a sound enough impression on hurdling debut. Travelling prominent, he led three out was then passed two out but kept on to the line. He’s already won a point in Ireland and has a future over jumps.

VISION DE LA VIE, a lengthy gelding that should benefit from a stiffer test, kept on from two out without threatening the leaders.

THIS THYNE JUDE created a fair impression in bumpers last year here and at Kelso. She looked well enough off a break, and in the paddock was once again hinting at a dressage career if she doesn’t make it over jumps! Keen in the race, she was restrained in rear and outpaced after three out. She picked up nicely in that latter stages and looks sure to make her mark given a stiffer test.  Her dam was a staying mare.

VAUREN DE VAUZELLE was on my list to follow this season, but like many on my damp squib of a 13/14 list hasn’t gone on through the season. He completed on this occasion, having been a first flight faller on hurdling debut, but was soundly put in his place from two out.

CEILIDH is a chasing type who hasn’t made a mark in bumpers and will need time.

2.30 2m Turning Out Quality Handicap Chase (104-125) (Betfair Series Qualifier)

The Scottish Series is approaching its climax, the final to take place over 2m 5 ½ f at Kelso on May 7^th.

INOOGOO is consistent but had only recorded a single win here previously. There was a strong pace on early and he came from off that pace to take up the running two out. He was all out to hold on from the last suggesting he doesn’t have much in hand off his current mark.

COUER DE FOU looked as if the race would help, but I seem to remember making a similar remark previously so it may be that he carries some condition. He was sweating and on his toes in the paddock, but settled well in the race, made headway from three out to challenge at the last and pressed the winner to the line. His recent record suggests that he is difficult to keep fit.

Double winner BAILEYS CONCERTO could never get into the race. He won at Hexham and Carlisle and found things happening too quickly around here, though he did stay on from the last for third.

LORD OF DRUMS was up with the sharp early pace and faded from two out. He goes well enough around here and is on a decent mark.

WILDE PASTURES disputed or set the pace but weakened from three out and probably went too fast for his own good.

STROBE needs better ground than he encountered here and was beaten down the far side.

3.05 2m 4½f McBookie.com Handicap Hurdle (75-100)

KING’S CHORISTER is not the most reliable of characters but picked this race up for the second year off a 12lbs lower mark. Eased into the race on the home turn, he led before the last and stayed n for victory. He’s 6 wins from 65 races which tells its own story.

AMETHYST ROSE stayed on from two out to take second place. What form she has shown has been with a decent bit of cut in the ground.

INDIGO ISLAND kept on for third place and looks at his best on a sharpish track, though yet to record a win.

MASTER CYNK led three out and threatening to take the race but had come to the end of his tether approaching the last.

DE BEE KEEPER was well backed but didn’t show at the head of the race, making only moderate late progress. There’s probably a small race for him over the summer.

MARLEE MASSIE improved on handicap debut though making no impression form two out.

3.35 2m 4½f Out Of The Ordinary Investment Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (123-133)

DARE TO ENDEAVOUR looked best of these in the paddock. He led for most of the way jumping well and stayed on well from two out. Faster ground may have been against him at Uttoxeter, but otherwise he has been progressive.

BAR DE LIGNE was below form at Kempton last time, but has been consistent otherwise and ran a creditable second without threatening the winner.

ROBBIE was held up and plugged on into third place without threatening to finish nearer.

UN GUET APENS appeared to find the track too sharp and was never travelling with any ease.

SURPRISE VENDOR won the Pontefract Marathon recently on the flat, but was held here after a couple of serious jumping errors.

4.10 3m 7f GA Engineering Highland National Handicap Chase (98-124)

A late decision by Nick Alexander to run BERTIE MILAN paid dividends as he became the first Scottish trainer to land this event. Racing in the first three all the way, Lucy Alexander kicked no from the seventh and had those remaining in contention on the stretch by the home turn. Despite not being fluent at the last two fences there was more than enough in the tank to be driven out for victory. The planned tilt at a 0-100 chase at the next meeting now goes out of the window!

HIDDEN HORIZONS travelled comfortably in midfield, he progressed to press the leader from the nineteenth fence. Chipping away at Bertie Milan from that point he had to give best on the run-in. A decent effort nevertheless and a respectable follow up to his Ulster Grand National win.

ROYALE KNIGHT ideally wants slightly better ground than this but ran a decent enough race, not able to match the first two from three out.

MISTER PHILSON was outpaced from three out and may not have seen out this trip.

INDIGO ROCK progressed to track the pace on the last circuit but was calling enough by four out. His current mark is reasonable if he drops in trip.

GOTOYOURPLAY was keen early and feeling the pinch when coming down five out.

HEEZ A STEEL was never any better than mid division and struggling when unseating at the eighteenth.

FIVE STAR WILSHAM race up front for two circuits but faded quickly after five out and was pulled up before two out. Some of his better efforts staying efforts have come at stiffer tracks and he may well have found the tempo here a little bit too quick. Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies spotted the loose Heez A Steel standing in front of three out, grabbed the reins and led the latter back as he cantered in, earning a generous round of applause from the crowd.

WILD GEESE was never entirely happy and struggling on the final circuit before being pulled up four out.

NEPTUNE EQUESTER hit the second hard and was off the bridle for much of the time after that. Ryan Mania kept working but had to admit defeat before four out.

TARRACO travelled prominently for a circuit, but lost his pitch after that and was well behind when pulled up before four out. He has shot up the handicap of late and may just be held now.

NODEBATEABOUTIT, unlucky here a couple of years back and ridiculously so when stopped by   loose horse at Exeter this season, was never going and his jockey gave up the ghost with a mile left.

4.45 3m 3f Bet on All Non-League at McBookie.com Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (92-121)

I would normally have abbreviated the race title, but as a non-league football nut for thirty odd years I had to pay due respect to the sponsor!

SYBARITE got outpaced three out but stayed on well up the straight and had taken charge by the last. He’s not the easiest ride, even though having plenty of ability, and all credit to Ryan Hatch for getting a decent tune out of him.

Making it a Twiston-Davies one-two, JAUNTY JOURNEY filled second place in this contest for the third year in succession. He led until before the last and kept on once passed. He regularly runs his race in staying contests over hurdles and fences.

HELLORBOSTON made an effort to challenge two out but couldn’t make an impression on the first two. There are a few of these long distance hurdles in the north and he may well be targeted at the likes of here, Kelso and Sedgefield next term.

BOLLIN FIONA was never near the leaders and plugged on for fourth place, just holding PERFECT CANDIDATE who briefly threatened three out but was held after.

MAGIC PRESENT was fired up in the paddock, too keen on the track and beaten by three out.

LOS NADIS never got into the race and this trip may well have taxed his stamina in the conditions.

RYTON RUNNER isn’t up to this class and was well held.

BESCOT SPRINGS has been busy and this may have been one race too many.

5.20 2m ½f Go To Balcormo Races Tomorrow Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

A cracking finish to the last race of the meeting.

I watched this head on from by the winning post and LOOKING WELL showed plenty of determination to squeeze through a gap up the rail near the finish, getting his head in front right on the line. Unlike some of Nicky Richards’s newcomers there appeared to be a bit to work on, but this one clearly has an engine and a very good attitude. I would expect this one to progress.

MAJOR IVAN still looks a bit green, weaving around when asked for an effort from three furlongs out. He put in plenty of effort though and a visit to the winner’s spot is merely delayed.

THE WAY IT WORKS is a taking half-sister to bumper winner Balboni. Arguably best on looks, she stayed on well from off the pace and there should be more to come. A nice sort to remember for next season.

Irish raider MELBOURNE LADY wasn’t disgraced in fourth place, having hinted at ability at both Down Royal and Wexford.

WISH IN A WELL. Coming off a decent recent effort at Ayr, was outpaced from two out and appeared to find this a bit sharp.

CLAN CHIEF, a winner at Ayr but a big boat of an animal, was very fizzy and had two handlers in the paddock. He was uncooperative on the track and Kit Alexander did well to get him down to the start. Keen in the race, he probably did quite creditably to finish sixth after all the fuss. If he calms down he should turn into a chaser in time as he has the size and clearly has ability.

Scottish Flat opens at Musselburgh

MUSSELBURGH – Friday April 18^th

A later start to the Scottish flat season with a late Easter, but Musselburgh helped serve up the first ever racing programme on Good Friday. There was a crowd of just less than 3,000 in attendance, not too bad given that Bank Holidays aren’t observed across the board in Scotland, with more observance of local holidays at varying times. The weather has been decent this spring and the ground was just on the fast side for the Friday and Sunday fixtures.

Musselburgh early season two-year-old races have served up a few decent performers in recent times. The winner here MUKHMAL is worth noting as he put up a reasonable time seeing off a previous winner in Cheerio Sweetie. This winner is capable of notching up another win or two before the others catch up and might conceivably be readied for a pot at Royal Ascot.

BORDERLESCOTT narrowly failed to win the race run in his honour, bursting through in the final furlong off a strong pace and foiled right on the line by SMOOTHTALKINRASCAL. The former might have missed his best chance of the season but still gives it the works, while the latter might be good enough to squeak a minor Listed contest.

JONNY DELTA won the staying handicap, working his way through the field form the home turn and this is how races need to work out for him.

Lightly raced BILIMBI won the Royal Mile Handicap in a race with plenty of pace early on. The race didn’t yield many winners last term though unplaced Top Notch Tonto did gain a second in a Group 1 contest. The Johnston pair of BOW CREEK and ALMARGO went a bit too fast for their own good up front.

SILVANUS, down to a mark of 74 from a 2012 high of 90, landed his first win since then getting the better of a final furlong duel. He goes well here and was recording a fourth win in 13 goes.

RED BARON led for much of the way and stuck to his task well once headed. He’s one to note if a race looks likely to give him an easy lead as he has early pace to burn.

ALEXANDRAKOLLONTAI was down the field and taken off her feet in the second division of the sprint handicap, but she needs races to get fit and will be a more realistic prospect in upcoming engagements.

MUUSELBURGH – April 20^th

2.05 1m totepool.com Handicap (44-60)

An exposed bunch with plenty of ‘previous offences’ between them and in the event it was the most lightly raced that came out on top. ECHO OF LIGHTNING picked up nicely off his own pace setting and was always holding his field in the final two furlongs. Paul Pickard rode a fine race here and is worth noting on pace setters at Musselburgh.

MOWHOOB had his chances last season and remains a maiden. He looks one to oppose.

CALL OF DUTY stayed no from well back for third but is a well exposed nine-year-old.

2.35 7f 30yds totepool.com Maiden (Class 5)

LIBRAN picked up nicely in the final furlong to head the pacemaker. He is related to winners and should benefit from the experience.

INSAANY has strengthened since last year. He set a reasonable pace and stuck to his guns in closing stages. He will be better suited by a stiffer test than this.

Irish debutante MAID OF THE GLENS was green in the preliminaries. She kept in the final furlong to finish on the heels of the first two

COME ON LULU ran green, was outpaced early and never got on terms.

3.05 1m 1f totejackpot Handicap (79-66)

EUTROPIUS ran well last spring, winning a couple of times, and presumably benefitted from a recent pipe opener. He made good progress from two furlongs out and led inside the final furlong.

DANCING COSMOS has been running well on the all-weather at Dundalk. She made her effort two out and kept on after the winner. She will have other opportunities and it would nice if her trainer could find a fillies’ event for her.

KARAKA JACK has plenty of miles on the clock. He ran his race here but is a ‘win in turn’ performer.

RED CHARMER progressed nicely last summer, scoring twice over an extended mile at Hamilton. He led briefly three out but was held in the final furlong. He will be of interest back on a stiffer track.

SWEHAN looked to need the race. He faded from three out and was not given a hard time once beaten.

3.35 2m totepool Musselburgh Gold Cup Handicap (70-83)

PASS MUSTER ran a couple of decent races here over hurdles in the winter. A fair performer on the flat, he returned to land this decent prize. He led inside the final furlong and was driven out to win against a persistent second. This was significantly further than he had won over on the flat, but he did win a Kempton jumpers’ bumper at the trip and clearly stays well.

BRIGHT ABBEY has done well over jumps for Dianne Sayer and has 3 wins and this second from 10 runs on the flat. He should win a race even with a small rise in the ratings as his attitude is really good.

The pair were clear of HIGH OFFICE who could make no impression in the final two furlongs. He has a win record of 4 from 44 so normally opposable.

SIR FRANK MORGAN has a sound record in similar events on the all-weather. He raced prominently, but was held in the last furlong or so. A fair enough effort on a move to turf and there should be a minor handicap for him on the grass. He has a noticeable wall-eye but I understand it causes no problems and is merely due to lack of pigment in the eye.

CALEDONIA look very well, but looked very geed up and made no impact. He’s been disappointing on the flat to date.

KING OF THE PICTS has been doing well hurdling but was beaten before the final furlong here.

TWELVE STRINGS looked well, but was outpaced early and last entering the straight. Races are seldom won from so far back at Musselburgh.

4.05 1m 4f 100yds tote TentoFollow.com EBF Maiden (Class 4)

ALEX MY BOY is bred to be a Classic contender, being by Dalakhani out of double Oaks winner Alexandrova. He doesn’t seem entirely straightforward in character, a bit fizzy and accompanied by two handlers in the paddock.  In the race he was keen early on, always handy, took over four out and stayed on relentlessly up the straight. After the race Dierdre Johnston wouldn’t commit on plans for this one, but a return for the Edinburgh Gold Cup would surely be a possible, with the Queen’s Vase a follow up if he learns and progresses.

NEW TARABELA was progressive in all-weather maidens without winning and came up against a good one here. He stuck to his task very well and a start handicap mark of 77 does not seem unreasonable on this evidence.

Bumper winner MOLLY CAT, lightly bandaged in front, was held from two furlongs out.

PETITE MADAME is a nice looking filly who should offer better in time. She was weakened two out having been driven four out and was well held.

Seven-year-old newcomer HAAMES, bandaged on his hind legs, was well held as was cheap buy CLASSIC ORANGE. Both will need to gain a handicap mark before becoming competitive.

4.35 7f 30yds totepool Live Info App 3yo Handicap (55-75)

DESERT COLOURS has been in belting good form on artificial surfaces and carried that form through to the turf. He set the pace and, despite coming under pressure three out, kept finding more and was always holding on. His excellent attitude could carry him to further success.

SIR GUY PORTEOUS had shown a little promise in four runs and made a persistent challenge in the final two furlongs. He won’t always run into such a determined winner and should land a similar contest.

REGIMENT had every chance two out and kept on for third place. He had some tough tasks in sales races last year after a Catterick maiden win and should come on for this seasonal introduction.

TIFFANY BAY could make no impact in the final two furlongs. She may well learn from this handicapping debut.

5.05 5f totepool.com Apprentice Handicap (59-45)

An exposed bunch of schoolmasters and mistresses for the young riders, but three consistent sorts at this level fought out a tight finish.

LITTLE ELI was on his toes and doing a bit of dressage training in the preliminaries . He broke well, took a length lead a furlong out and then hung on close home. He has a fair record to date and may well cut it in the next grade up.

ROY’S LEGACY be an owner’s delight with 9 wins and and 14 places from 59 attempts, yet racing here off 54. He broke well, briefly went a length or so down a furlong out but rallied to great effect and just failed. He’s best at five furlongs.

Where Roy’s Legacy is a small animal, GREENHEAD HIGH is much bigger and muscly. He raced prominently and was closing at the death. He’s another regularly competitive at this level and yet only racing off 54.

IGGY closed towards the line for fourth. A good effort from a lightly raced srot that may just need a stiffer test.

An import from Hong Kong, the 10-year-old COMMANDABLE showed good early pace but was held from over a furlong out.

Kelso - March 22nd

KELSO – Saturday March 22^nd

Going – Good, Good to soft in places

A bit of a nip in the air, but plenty of sunshine and a pleasant enough day.

I had a brisk walk around the chase course and found the turf in pretty decent nick for this time of the season, the rails having been moved out on the bends to provide better ground. Down the far side of the chase track the better ground was middle to outside, and there was the usual patch of softer ground in the dip before the last. Hurdles run in was about as short as it is likely to be at around 170 yards.

1.30 2m ½f Abbey Tool and Gauge Handicap Hurdle (103-115)

A moderate contest to open the card with a number of exposed performers taking those with only a few middling runs on their record.

CAPTAIN BROWN set a decent pace here and Brian Hughes kicked on round the final bend. His mount was coming to the end of his tether by the last and took a tired fall, although he may still have held on if standing up. The screens went up and there was a ten minute wait before the winded Captain Brown recovered and appeared to a big cheer from the crowd. He was taken back in the horse ambulance but I suspect that was no more than a precaution.

KEENELAND had steadily made ground on the leader, though wasn’t assured of victory when left in the lead. This was a step up on his Sedgefield run which would have been needed after a 21-month lay-off and there’s a fair chance of a bit better to come. 12/1 price was a surprise in this company as he was turned out looking a picture and had proven in the past that he had ability to take this sort of contest.

OVERPRICED pushed the winner all the way, performing well off a break which she has done in the past. Previous pattern suggests a mare who is at her best in spring and summer.

SPITZ kept on but never looked any better than fourth best until the leader came down. The 2m 2f around here might suit as he kept on to the line.

DAMASCUS STEEL could make no impression from two out, but got nearer than in recent outings. He ran well in the spring last season and was a winner at Hexham.

RHYMERS Ha’ seems an awkward cuss and stayed on having been off the bridle for much of the race.

Ex-American flat race PULPITARIAN disappointed once again. Provided there’s nothing physically wrong it could be just time required to adjust to jumping.

2.00 3m 2f Liz Adam Memorial Handicap Chase (118-142) Handicap Chase

A decent contest with Channel 4 finally acknowledging that Kelso was worth an airing on terrestrial television.

SCOTSWELL has run some decent races this season against testing opposition and rewarded connections in determined style. Leading for much of the race and jumping well, he was hard pressed from two out but found more and was going clear again on the run-in. The Scottish National is a possible target, though the well endowed novices’ handicap chase on the same card.

FENTARA raced rear division for much of the race but stayed on from the final bend without ever quite getting to the game winner. She only has a single chase win to her name but she is game and generally gives her running.

GULLINBURSTI came with every chance two out and wasn’t far down at the last, but could offer no more on the flat. He has a good record coming off a break.

IMPERIAL VIC raced up with the pace, but was tapped for speed from four out. He showed his honesty in keeping on from that point but never threatened the first three. Feedback from connections is that he may just be best when settled in an uncontested lead. The target had been the Scottish National but that’s likely to be missed for this season, the novices’ handicap on the same card now a possible.

THE PANAMA KID chased the leaders and then weakened from two out. He won off 135 here in 2011, but a mark of 124 now seems a bit stiff.

NO PLANNING was well held from four out and is another that may well be held after a recent win.

SYDNEY PAGET was disappointing, dropping away from the fifteenth and soon pulled up. He jumps wins have all come on soft and heavy and it’s likely this ground was too quick.

ISLA PEARL FISHER was bumped up three pounds for trundling around in the wake of Long Run and Knockara Beau, but since the same handicapper saw fit to drop Green Flag a single pound for a decent fourth at the Cheltenham, then one does seriously wonder if the man is on the same planet as the rest of us. Nick alexander’s charge was never travelling on this occasion, but 129 looks more than high enough for an eleven-year-old.

SERGEANT PINK is decent on his day but quirky and decided enough was enough early on the final circuit. He refused at the thirteenth fence and deposited Tony Kelly on the turf.

2.30 3m 3f Bentley Homes Handicap Hurdle (118-142)

There aren’t many hurdle races over this sort of distance and this would be one of the better ones.

This was just up the street of a rejuvenated LIE FORRIT. He jumped superbly up front and kept on determined as the cavalry closed up the straight. A popular winner for local owners McNeill and Gillies, the latter mother of much missed Campbell Gillies. I would presume Aintree will be targeted, though a soft surface would be required.

NEPTUNE EQUESTER stays all day and did finish in Neptune Collonges’s National, though he has been better over hurdles of late. Having been held up he stayed on relentlessly up the straight and would not have need much further to prevail. A stiff test is essential.

LACKAMON is better handicapped over hurdles than fences and was another closing to the line. He needs this sort of test of which there are few at his level over hurdles.

QUEL ELITE runs some fair races without winning often. I assume he has not looked comfortable schooling over fences as he has not been tried in staying chases.

ARCTIC COURT was never in position to threaten. He has won here before but has two ways of running.

DROP OUT JOE attempted to match the winner but distress signals were evident with a mile to go and he lived up to his name. He’s better than this while another southern challenger WHO OWNS ME ran no sort of race. James Reveley was hard at work early on and gave up the struggle before three out.

3.05 2m 1f Ashleybank Investments Reg and Bettie Tweedie (118-134)

KIE barely took off at the third, demolishing a section of the fence and putting Wilson Renwick in hospital with back injuries. Kie gets away with the odd howler, but he walked through the fence on this occasion. The fence was omitted on the final circuit.

JET MASTER was given some hope as he was not hammered by the handicapper for his facile win here last time. Ridden with restraint once again he was brought through to challenge two out. He led before the last but seemingly idled a bit once in front and had to be rousted to maintain the advantage. Picking off the field from a strong pace seems best for him. The first pair were well clear and future prospects depend on his subsequent treatment in the ratings.

UN GUET APENS ran a decent race, leading briefly two out and making Jet Master pull out all the stops.

STORMIN EXIT made progress to lead three out but then weakened from two out.

IMJOEKING was outpaced to the eighth and an effort to two out was in vain.

STAGECOACH PEARL set off at a merry pace in front but was spent by three out and is regressing.

ROCKAWANGO, well below form of late, was never going.

3.40 2m 2f DG Pryde Limited Novices’ Hurdle (Class 4)

KILGEFIN STAR needs further than this, and will make up into a chaser in time, but Danny Cook made this a real test on the day of his comeback from a broken leg. His main pursuer looked up against it when coming down three out and the Michael Smith trained ex-Irish pointer saw the race out well.

ONE FOR ARTHUR kept on into second but never got to the winner. A decent effort on his hurdling and he looks a likely scorer in the near future as Lucinda Russell’s stable homes in on the Scottish record for the season.

JUST CHILLY plugged on into third place. She looks the time to benefit from another summer behind here do this place is a welcome bonus.

NEVILLE WOODS ran another fair race in fourth and once again it’s worth noting he is likely to be better over fences.

COUSIN GUILLAUME was sold out of Karen McLintock’s stable for £40,000 and that looks a good deal from McLintock’s point of view. Word has it that he’s a bit of a softie and race performances would tend to support that. He was hampered by the faller three out but wouldn’t have been any better than third.

DOUBLEDISDOUBLEDAT is a chasing type who was on and off the bridle here. He showed a modicum of promise and is likely to do better in time.

PLAN AGAIN ran a disappointing race and looked held when hampered three out.

TOUGH TRADE seemed just to be getting the worst of the argument when taking a tumbling fall three out. He looks like a chaser and that will be his game in time.

*** Other news from connections of the winner here concern two horses. The first is MASTERLEADERMAN who was given a ‘disappointing ride’ when fourth at Newcastle last weekend. He’s capable of a good deal better than this run apparently showed.

TIMOTHY T was bought out of a claimer at Kempton recently for £2,000.  This one was third in the Acomb Stakes at York as a two-year-old, then spent three years in Hong Kong without visiting the track. Discussions centred on the fact that it was surprising he hadn’t ended up ‘in a tin’ but, dreadfully poor taste humour aside, he clearly retains some ability and will now be billeted with Nottinghamshire based Mick Appleby.

4.15 2m 4½f Jedforest Deer Park Handicap Hurdle (88-110)

I believe this is the first time this start has been used since the course layout was re-hashed in 2012.

Essentially the field consisted of a host of well exposed and some elderly performers. Judgement suggested it was worth looking at the younger horses with less ‘previous’ to their name. All very well but even the five-year-olds here were difficult to recommend though it was one of them, BELLOROPHON, that did the business in comfortable fashion. He eased clear of the field from two out to win by 23 lengths. I can’t imagine he will find it very easy next time off what is sure to be a significantly higher mark.

FUNKY MUNKY kept on for second and runs some fair races but doesn’t win very often.

Elizabeth Butterworth did quite well to coax a third place out of KNIGHT VALLIANT. He has ability but isn’t the easiest of rides and was patiently ridden to challenge for second at the last.

OUR BOY BEN plugged on for fourth place, a reasonable effort on handicapping debut, while NEWDANE DANCER, in decent heart of late, led to three out but faded into fifth place in the latter stages. A less stiff finish sees him to better advantage.

EVERDON BROOK pulled up and was removed from the course by horse ambulance and I understand was subsequently examined by the course vet, but further information has been difficult to obtain.

4.50 2m Kelso Races A Great Day Out Standard Open NH Flat Race (Class 6)

Half the crowd had disappeared before this contest but for those of use looking for future winners these contests are eagerly awaited.

Make note of any lightly raced horses or newcomers that Nicky Richards brings to Kelso. If you are at the track it’s worth checking out the fitness just ensure factors are in your favour, but Richards has a decent record in novice, maiden and bumper events around here. SIR VINSKI looked one of the more likely here and was forward enough in condition to suggest every chance if good enough. He came clear in the last two furlongs and has the mark of Simply Ned and Eduard, two decent performers that started in Kelso bumpers. Not sure that he will appear again this season but a definite for next season’s horses to follow.

MAJOR IVAN caught the eye as a nice sort. He was outpaced five furlongs out but stayed on well up the home straight to wrest second close home. He will benefit from the run and is a nice jumping type to remember for the future.

SHADES OF MIDNIGHT looked a mare that still has some developing to do, but she has the engine and raced prominently throughout to take third place.

WOLF SWORD, a nice deep chested chasing type, ran creditably under a penalty for a Sedgefield win on Boxing Day.  He was presented looking nicely fit, had every chance but couldn’t up his game once the winner got away.

A few more will need a bit of time. FIGHT AWAY BOYS raced prominently to four out and then faded. He won an Irish point in five attempts and will likely show up better when presented with a set of obstacles in front of him.

TOUCH OF STEEL, a half-brother to a winning chaser, looked very green and will need time.