Sandy Thomson could be the man to follow yet again at Kelso on Sunday as the Greenlaw trainer bids for a remarkable fifth straight win in the Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National, a contest which carries £60,000 in prize money.

 

A maximum field of 16 will be tackling the extended four-mile trip and 24 fences in the feature race on a tremendous-looking Festive Family Raceday at the borders venue.

 

The fixture was lost to the weather in 2017 and locally-based Thomson won the marathon highlight in 2014 & 2015 with Neptune Equester, and in 2016 & twelve months ago with 14-year-old Harry The Viking.

 

A quality supporting card sees four-time course winner Aye Right make his debut over fences in the £40,000 Paris Pike Novices’ Chase. Trained at Jedburgh by Harriet Graham, he carries the colours of Kelso racecourse director Geoff Adam.

 

It promises to be a great day out with something for everyone and Father Christmas will on hand to greet young racegoers.

 

Musselburgh will hoping the weather remains mild for a seven-race meeting on Monday after the East Lothian course had last week’s fixture abandoned due to frost-affected areas of the track.

 

At nearly £18,000 the most valuable race is the Every Race Live On Racing TV Introductory Juvenile Hurdle over two miles.

 

Last year Donald McCain was the winning trainer with Liva and this time I see he has lined up ex-Ralph Beckett Guildhall for a possible hurdling debut.

 

It was great to be on hand to interview Nick Alexander after he received the National Hunt Trainer award at the Northern Racing Magic Moments on Saturday night.

 

Nick was nominated for the success of Lake View Lad in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby last December, and he was all smiles as he came up onto the stage to be presented with his trophy.

 

Stuck for secret Santa gift ideas? Why not take part in Heart Research UK’s Heart of Scotland Appeal prize draw. Tickets are only £1 and you could win a fantastic VIP day for two at one of our racecourses. Click here for more info https://heartofscotland.org.uk/prizedraw. The draw will take place on 20th January. #heartofscotland

 

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