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.
Lucinda Russell recorded her 1,000th career winner as Patrick Wadge rode out his claim in style aboard Starlyte at Kelso.
The mare, a popular 7/2 chance, spreadeagled her rivals by six-lengths in the Graeme Todd Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
“It’s lovely that it has happened at Kelso as my very first winner came here in 1993 with a horse called Gunmetal Boy in the Buccleuch Cup,” said Russell, whose tally includes her winners on the Flat .
“I only had a point to point licence in those days and my first winner as a professional trainer was Fiveleigh Builds at Perth two years later.
“I’m also delighted Patrick has ridden out his claim as well as we were so proud when he was crowned champion conditional rider last season.
“Obviously we’ve had those high-profile wins at the Cheltenham Festival and with One For Arthur and Corach Rambler in the Grand National, but we truly celebrate every winner and we are so lucky to have such great staff and wonderful owners.”
Russell and Wadge went to to complete a double after Humble Jumble made a winning debut in the concluding bumper
There was also a milestone for Caithness-Born Ray Green when Sandy Thomson-trained Gold Des Bois, ridden by Ryan Mania, landed the Ian Anderson Memorial Handicap Chase.
The gelding supplied Green with his 500th strike as an owner with the total including Flat, jumps, point to points and partnerships for winners in Britain, Ireland and France.
Green is currently on holiday in Antigua and Thomson said: “Ray is a great a supporter of northern racing and he deserves all the success that comes his way – I’ve spoken to him on the phone and he managed to follow the race from the Caribbean!”
Selkirk-based father and son, Stuart and Sam Coltherd, teamed up to take the featured Paxtons For Kverneland Machinery & Genuine Spares Wishing Well Handicap Chase with Breakdance Kid.