Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Craig Nichol was the jockey to follow at Kelso where he booted home Both Barrels and Kingston Bridge for a 48-1 double.
Donald Whillans gave the Hawick jockey his 50th course success with the former in the Support Qme Care Handicap Hurdle before the latter, trained by Ewan Whillans, sprung a 16-1 upset in the Go North Cab On Target Handicap Hurdle Series Final.
“It’s always great to have winners at your local track and I’ve known the Whillans family for a long time,” Nichol said. “Both Barrels jumped a lot better today and you’ve got to re-remember this was only his second time in a handicap.”
Ewan Whillans added of Kingston Bridge: “He wasn’t himself when disappointing last time so we gave him a full MOT to get to the bottom of things and that was a lot more like it as everyone saw out there.”
Nick Alexander and Bruce Lynn were also in double form after teaming up with Up Hella Aa King and Atlantic Dancer.
Lynn excelled on the first winner, whose saddle slipped badly on the run-in, while Atlantic Dancer, owned by his family, is set to be retired after she landed the mares’ handicap hurdle for the second year running.
There was a sour end to the day for Alexander after his newcomer Kellerman suffered a fatal injury on the first circuit of the bumper, which resulted in the race being declared void.