Charity to benefit from Kelso meeting
RACING returns to Kelso this weekend for their second meeting of the Autumn season.
Saturday will see Macmillan Cancer Support as the biggest winners of the day, with fund raising for the charity beginning as soon as gates open at 12.30pm.
With help from Galashiel’s based charity fundraisers the Borders Barmy Army, the Racecourse is hosting its second running of the Pantomime Horse Race in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, the chosen charity for the Borders Barmy Army fundraising efforts this year.
The pantomime horse race is the launch of a series if fundraising efforts by the BBA which will culminate in a mammoth effort to run the Edinburgh and London Marathons.
There are 15 “horses” entered in the dash down the final furlong from a range of local business based throughout the borders. R.P. Adam have kindly sponsored the race and will be presenting a cash prize to the winning “horse” of the race that will precede the racing at 1.20pm.
The feature race on a seven race card is the Elliot Landells Roadsweeper Handicap Chase for the Marshall Trophy, a perpetual trophy presented by the family of the late Major A.C. Marshall.
Won last year by Allie Tullie’s popular mare More Likely the £8000 prize is always competitive.
Tim Easterby’s likely top-weight Zitenka has been second and third on his previous two starts at the Borders course.
Howard Johnson has entered Top Dressing and Royal Rosa while Peter Monteith’s Cast Iron Casey won on this card over hurdles 12 months ago.
The Rodger Firth and Urgewain Motors from Morecambee in Lancashire have been tremendously loyal supporters of Kelso and once again bring a party up for the first race off at 2.30pm, The Clifford Firth Memorial Maiden Hurdle which has thrown up some smart winners in the past notably Rasharrow, Mytimie and Gralmano in recent times.
Ferdy Murphy struck with a winner at Kelso’s opening autumn fixture and he could be tempted to run Mister Wall Street, who was last seen out when unplaced in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Patrick Griffin’s Maggio is another interesting contender as the Irish raider was second at Hexham recently.
James and Fiona Doyle are once again travelling from their Hamilton base to present mementos to the winning connections of the Handicap Hurdle, which they kindly sponsor in memory of James’ late father, a keen racing enthusiast.
Three-time course winner Bob’s Dream, trained by Willie Amos is among the entries, along with Jim Goldie’s Grand Diamond and Waterloo Corner, trained by Sedgefield handler Ray Craggs all will make for an interesting contest.
Regular supporters of the Border track the Edinburgh City Football Club sponsor the second race on the card, and first chase of the day off at 2.55pm. Donald Scott has brought a party down from the city since 1994 and will again be on hand to make the winning presentations.
James Ewart plans to have his first runners of the backend at this meeting and they are likely to be headed by Sirkeel. Yetholm-based Sandy Forster will be keen to run Dukeofchesterwood, who was a cracking form when second at Cartmel in the summer.
Hutchinson Sewage Treatment sponsor the final competitive chase of the day.
Jean McGregor is hopeful of More Shennanigans winning his first race sooner rather than later, as always, her near neighbor Lucinda Russell has made plenty of entries for Kelso and they include Prince Tam.
The third race on the card, a Novice Hurdle is looking extremely competitive.
Maurice Barnes recorded a superb double at Kelso’s first meeting of the new season and he could unveil a newcomer to his Cumbrian yard in the shape of ex-George Foster and Nicky Richards-trained Minnigaff.
Hawick’s Alison Hamilton has entered Bow School, a horse that showed good form over hurdles and in hunter chase company earlier in the year.
Betfair return to Kelso and sponsor the final race of the day specifically for conditional jockeys as part of the racing excellence initiative. Lisa Harrison is back in action
after having a baby during the summer and she has two entries in this, Solway Bee and Solway Blue.
Buckstruther is set to make his first appearance for Scottish Grand National-winning trainer Andrew Parker.
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Weather for Duns
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
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