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.
Craig Nichol is looking forward to more Kelso success on Friday from Gentleman De Mai in the Children’s Immunology Trust Supporting Chas Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
Trained by Rose Dobbin and owned by her parents, the Northumberland raider has gone up 3lbs for his course win over a slightly shorter trip last month.
“He’s a horse we have always rated highly so hopefully he can kick on and win more races,” Hawick-born Nichol said. “That was his first win over fences and it was a tonic for Rose as she was ill at the time and unable to come racing so she had to watch on tv from home.
“He had to battle last time and only held on by a neck so dropping back to 2m 6f should suit him. That was also his first run of the season and he is likely to be even fitter this time.”
Rivals to Gentleman De Mai included Fergal O’Brien-trained Young Buster, who is on a belated hat-trick following victories at Warwick in May and Kelso in November.
Overcourt and Domandlouis fly the flag for Scotland and are trained respectively by Stuart Coltherd and Lucinda Russell.
The afternoon gets under with red-hot duo Jimmy Moffat and Charlotte Jones teaming up with narrow recent Hexham winner Great Pepper in the Belhaven Brewery Novices’ Hurdle.
Iain Jardine’s Dunnet Head bids to return to form in the Slainte Mhath Handicap Hurdle under three-time champion jockey Brian Hughes.
He was a disappointing favourite at Ayr 18-days ago and connections will be hoping that stepping up in trip will see him back in the winners’ enclosure.