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.
Bruce Lynn rode out his claim as Elvis Mail stormed to his sixth course success to secure the feature race at Kelso for the second year running.
With the last two fences omitted due to the low sun, the top-weight, returned at 10/1, saw off Famous Bridge by three-lengths.
“I was a bit worried that the ground might not be soft enough for him but he jumped super,” said winning trainer Nick Alexander. “This was very much the target to see if he was still at the top of his game or whether he goes down the veterans route and he’s given us his answer.
“He’s been a super horse for us and my daughter Lucy always thought he could be a 150 plus horse and she could be right. We might look at the Rehearsal Chase for him at Newcastle towards the end of next month.”
Lucinda Russell struck with a 335/1 treble supplied by Alan Doyle-ridden Bold Light and Walk On Quest and Old Gregorian under Derek Fox.
“Bold Light is a super horse and was bought cheaply by his owners,” the dual Grand National winning handler said. “I’m delighted he has won as he was nearly put down due to leg injury.
“Walk On Quest did well to win over this trip as he’s a three-miler. Derek gave him a fantastic ride and he’s a well-handicapped horse.”
Old Gregorian stormed home by nearly four-lengths to sprung a 20-1 upset in the two-mile handicap hurdle
Similar Story, trained by Stuart Coltherd and ridden by son Sam, was a well-backed winner of the novices’ handicap chase.
The 2/1 favourite stayed on well to nab Meetmeinthemorning on the run-in and the winning handler said: “It was her chase debut and she has schooled well since day one. We were expecting a big run and she duly delivered for us.”
The Selkirk raider built on a recent return-to-form third at Perth to foil a gamble on 15/8 favourite Brandy McQueen by a comfortable five-and-a-half lengths
Champion jockey Harry Cobden made a rare trip to the borders and he was successful aboard Jumping Susie for John McConnell in the Welcome To Family Day Novices’ Hurdle.
Sent off at 6/5 the mare saw off hot-favourite Step Out by thirteen-lengths.
Cobden was also on odds-on chance Yokkell, who was pipped by a nose by 20/1 outsider Samwise in the Remembering Paula Greig Novices’ Hurdle.