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.
Ewan Whillans is dreaming of a repeat success with Cracking Rhapsody in the £120,000 bet365 Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.
Twelve months ago, Scotland’s richest hurdle race – a handicap over two-miles – went to the Hawick raider, who stormed up the hill to score by four and a half lengths in the hands of Craig Nichol.
“I’m delighted Craig is clear to ride him again which is a massive plus,” Whillans said. “He’s won on him three times and knows him really well.
“Cracking Rhapsody had a gallop after the last meeting at Kelso and we’re happy enough with him. He had his final piece of work at home on Wednesday so it’s all systems go.
“If he jumps two out in contention and sees his race out again I will be delighted. We all know he loves Kelso and he’s won three of his five visits to the track.”
There is a £100,000 bonus should the Morebattle winner go on to win over hurdles or fences at the Cheltenham Festival, a feat achieved in 2021 by The Shunter, trained by Emmet Mullins, who is represented by the mare Vischio this year.
Alan King-trained Favour And Fortune is top-weight on 12st and, like Cracking Rhapsody, holds an entry in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham while last year’s runner-up Ginger Mail could attempt to go one better for Nick Alexander.
Grey Dawning, on a BHA mark of 162, is the top-rated horse on the card and Dan Skelton is aiming him at the £60,000 bet365 Premier Chase.
He is joined in the line-up by Grand National entry Iroko for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero and Lucinda Russell’s hat-trick seeking mare El Elefante.
In the £75,000 bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle, Chart Topper is a first ever runner at Kelso for Willie Mullins and was bred by his wife Jacky. The gelding, also a first Kelso ride for the trainer’s son Patrick, takes a big step up in class after back-to-back wins at Downpatrick and Wetherby.