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.
Iain Jardine has his eye on one of the £15,000 feature races on Kelso’s final card of the year.
The Dumfriesshire trainer is set to saddle Dunnet Head, ridden by Conor O’Farrell, in the 2m 6f Slainte Mhath Handicap Hurdle on Festive Fling Raceday at the borders venue.
“He made his chase debut at Kelso on Borders National day three weeks ago but the ground was just too soft for him and it’s not likely to be as testing this time,” Jardine reported. “He is a chaser in the making but we’ve no concerns bringing him back over hurdles in the time being.
“We think there is a really good race in him somewhere along the line and he’s still quite well handicapped. He’s a lovely big, jumping type and the track and trip won’t pose him any problems.”
Sandy Thomson and Ryan Mania won the corresponding event twelve months ago with Imaginary Dragon and they are represented by I Am Max, who was in front when falling just before half-way at Wetherby on his chase debut in November.
Bertie-B, a winner at Plumpton earlier this month, is a first Kelso runner for Herefordshire permit-holder Clive Boultbee-Brooks while Chris Grant’s Young Jack tries to follow up his recent course and distance success under Danny McMenamin.
The Visit Kelso In 2025 Handicap Chase sees Escapeandevade attempt to enhance an already impressive course strike-rate.
Trained down the A7 at Langholm by James Ewart, he has won on two of his three trips to his local venue while four of his five career victories have been achieved with three-time champion jockey Brian Hughes in the saddle.
Thomson and Mania again figure prominently, this time with Carcaci Castle, another with two course win against his name.