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.
Sandy Thomson stole the show at Kelso where he saddled a fabulous 1,079-1 four-timer – the first of his career with Salvino, Sirwilliamwallace, Stoney Rover and Pavlik.
The locally-based handler said: “I’ve had a treble before but it’s nice to have four winners especially at the track where my late father was chairman for many years.
“I thought we were going with several horses with chances and it’s brilliant when it comes off – I think we might be having a wee celebration this evening.”
Sirwilliamwallace showed plenty of ‘Braveheart’ spirit under Ryan Mania to land the £20,000 feature race.
Returned 4-1 joint-favourite, he saw off Dalyotin by a length in the 2m 5f handicap chase.
Thomson said: “Our senior work rider Andrew Fairley lost his wife recently so it is a bitter/sweet moment for the whole yard and our thoughts are with his family.
“He’s a horse that needs soft ground and this trip is just short of three miles is perfect for him. His owner Ken McGarrity hasn’t enjoyed much luck recently & he was cheering him home from down at Aintree.”
Stoney Rover and Pavlik both scored to complete a treble for Mania while opening race scorer Salvino was partnered by Bruce Lynn.
Sam Coltherd returned from suspension to boot home Wheelbari for his trainer father Stuart in the 2m 1f handicap chase.
The Selkirk jockey said: “I wasn’t sure I was going to win at half-way but the horse is tough and didn’t want to be passed.”
James Ewart won the long-distance novice chase with Brayhill and Hawick handler Ewan Whillans made it a clean sweep for Scottish trainers when Kingston Bridge took a dramatic bumper.