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.
A QUALITY feature race at Kelso sees fledging trainer Ewan Whillans bid for another success with Cracking Destiny.
The 2m 1f handicap chase, which is worth £40,000,is named after Simply Ned, who appeared in it on seven consecutive occasions.
Cracking Destiny supplied Whillans with a maiden strike at Stratford in August and the Hawick handler said: “He was my first runner after I took over from my dad so it was a dream start.
“He was favourite when fourth last year and hopefully he’ll go a lot closer this time but it is a very hot race with plenty of good horses.”
Grade 2 winner Ballyoisin shoulders top-weight and is set to be the first raider at the borders venue for Co Limerick trainer Enda Bolger.
Nuts Well was successful in the 2018 renewal and also scooped last year’s contest before following up in Grade 2 company at Aintree.
And Harriet Graham’s Aye Right, one of the top-rated jumpers in Scotland, carries the colours of Kelso director Geoff Adam bids to go one better after his second-placed effort twelve months ago.
Twice a course and distance scorer back in the spring, Do Not Disturb is after a belated hat-trick for Craig Nichol and Rose Dobbin the novices’ handicap chase.
In an interesting four runner affair, Lucinda Russell’s Aurora Thunder makes a keenly-anticipated debut over fences.
Dianne Sayer could hold the key to the opening Handicap hurdle as the Cumbrian trainer saddles Iolani, Beeno and The Navigator.
The former led home stable companion Frightened Rabbit at Kelso’s opening future of the autumn while six-time Cartmel victor Beeno was a recent winner at Perth.