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.
Stainsby Girl bids for a repeat win for her new connections in the Kelso Betting Betting Ring Handicap Hurdle on Sunday.
A winner twelve months ago for Donald Whillans, the top-weight has since changed hands for £22,000 and is now under the care of Nick Alexander.
The mare produced an instant dividend for her Kinneston handler on Betfair Chase day at Haydock and he said: “She was impressive in November and then found the ground a little too holding for her next time.
“It was great to have a winner on such a high-profile card as that’s what gets you out of bed in the morning and it was a lovely moment for the howl family.
“She was the first winner for ages for my son Kit as he only rides horses we own ourselves and he bought her at the sales. If this race doesn’t come too soon she should go well again.”
The likely favourite, from the opposite end of the handicap, is James Ewart’s Beat Box, who has been raised 7lbs for his pre-Christmas romp at Ayr.
Big River is also after back-to-back wins, in his case in the Chairman’s Cup Handicap Chase.
Lucinda Russell’s teenager gained a record-equalling eighth course win by an impressive six-lengths last year.
“His owner is desperate to got that record outright so most of his races are at Kelso these days!” Russell said. “Apart from that the track really suits him and the ground should be fine too.”
One of the main dangers to Big River is recent course and distance runner-up Just Don’t Know, trained near Hawick by former jump jockey Paul Robson.