By Gordon Brown
VALENTINO DANCER was a cosy winner of one of the features races on Kelso’s final meeting of the spring under a confident ride from Paddy Brennan.
Trained near Cheltenham by Fergal O’Brien, the 3-1 joint-favourite slammed Nordic Combined by three lengths in the £12,000 William Hill Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.
Brennan said: “He’s a good-looking horse alright and we were a little disappointed he didn’t win on his first run for us at Worcester as he was certainly fit enough.
“The cheekpieces being back on helped today and he could be quite smart. I’d say he could be an interesting horse to keep on the go throughout the summer.”
Irish trainer Noel Kelly was on hand to saddle a 47-1 double courtesy of Charcor and Doune Castle.
The former took the opening novices’ hurdle for James Bowen while Doune Castle was a first Kelso winner on just his second course ride for William Marshall.
Bowen also went on to complete a double when Nicky Henderson-trained Grand Mogul made a winning debut over fences by ten-lengths in the Subscribe To Racing TV Novices’ Handicap Chase.
For more information contact Gordon Brown on 07850 258063 for Scottish Racing