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.
NICKY RICHARDS is hopeful of a return to form from top-weight Marown in the £15,000 feature race at Kelso on Monday.
The Greystoke raider, who was pulled up on his only run so far this term, faces seven rivals in the Borders Carers Trust Handicap Chase over just short of three miles.
Richards said: “He just never got into a rhythm at Catterick in February and probably the track just didn’t suit him on his first race since some wind surgery.
“At one time he was a very well regarded horse so it’s a shame he’s had one of two issues that have prevented him achieving what he is capable of.”
The opposition to Marown is headed by Ann Hamilton-trained Bavington Bob, who is on a four-timer following two victories at Newcastle and one at Carlisle. Also in the line-up is Nick Alexander’s Broadway Joe, the winner of three races already this campaign for his Kinneston connections.
Who knows what might emerge from the Brewin Dolphin Buccleuch Cup as the 1958 renewal of this maiden hunters’ Chase went to Merryman, the winner of the Scottish Grand National a year later and then the first televised Grand National at Aintree in 1960.
There may not be anything of that quality in today’s five-runner but the application of cheekpieces may squeeze some improvement out of Alone No More, who was fourth in the corresponding race last year for Lucy and Emma Brown.