Kelso is a small borders town close to the River Tweed. It’s not too difficult to get too. If coming from the Yorkshire direction you head through Coldstream and you find that Kelso is well signposted. From Carlisle you might as well head to Corbridge and use the best free fun run rollercoaster in England.This is shown on the roadmap as the A68. When you get to Jedburgh you will find that Kelso is well directed. From central Scotland it probably makes sense to get around the Edinburgh City by-pass and use the Dalkeith by-pass down to Lauder and then Kelso is clearly marked. The racecourse is on the Edinburgh road just to the north of the town. Whichever way you go the countryside is phenomenal. But make sure you’ve enough fuel as it was miles from Kelso to Lauder without a filling station so on my virtually empty tank the last few miles must have been like hoping Sharpo could stay a mile!
The Borders has its own culture really as is a little remote from the rest of Scotland. It is real hunting country and many of the towns in the area such as Hawick, Selkirk and Lauder have horse festivals known as common ridings. I attended Selkirk many years ago and it is a really good day out. The festivals have their roots in Scottish / English struggles in the past. For example Selkirk’s celebrates the solo return of the town clerk from the disastrous Battle of Flodden Fields. The Hawick Common Riding is steeped in tradition and involves church blessings, obscure food and riding around the town boundary marshes without getting the English colours or flag muddy. It could only be Britain. Inevitably the final day involves significant amounts of drink which is fair enough.
This part of Great Britain has been the recipient of development funds in the past. The most notable of these was the major construction managing the Rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees. The head of this scheme was to Bakethin Dam set smack on the border near Keilder Castle. The flagship of the whole project is the impressive Keilder Dam near the Bellingham which is known as either the beginning or end of the Pennine Way depending on whether you’ve walked uphill or downhill. Prior to the development The Pennines was the main draw from a tourist perspective. Other features are a leg of the World Rally Championship (which lost nothing by being staged in the middle of the night when I watched it in the 1970s) and The Bellingham Show which is a typical rural celebration and seemed to centre around sheep, more sheep and drink.
I have wondered what the driver for the project was in the first place. It was suppose to be water management and the provision of water for the north of England as well as a mechanism for control of the river levels to the major conurbations of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesborough. There was also the fact that the resulting reservoir was of a substantial size and would draw tourists interested in sailing, fishing and other water pursuits. However there is also the fact that the North East of England was suffering high levels of unemployment in the middle nineteen-seventies so a local injection of cash would not go amiss. The Common Market as it was no doubt called in those days was beginning to be viewed as a source of capital to support infrastructure expenditure.
There were not too many funded projects I am aware that predate Keilder but we have seem the acceleration of this source as a fiscal stimulus process. Republic of Ireland is a good example of fund application taken to new heights. It could be viewed that the influx of funds, preferential business corporation tax rates, low inflation/high growth due to Euro membership and export favourable exchange rates with sterling / dollar led to the Celtic Tiger. The fact that despite all these pluses the Irish people voted the European Constitution out in the referendum really rankled in Brussels. But that’s the Irish, never underestimate them as the thick paddy card has been played time and time again against the unwary.
There are no signs of this method of trying to even out Gross Domestic Product per capita within member states losing any momentum. It pays to follow the money and companies negligent of seeing where the best bets are will miss chances. There are other ways of getting stuck into the Brussels Trough. This may seem to be money for nothing but it does serve an important aspect of Europe. The more people trade, transfer knowledge, collaborate and absorb culture the more a European identity is forged. It worth remembering that the main reason around the Iron and Steel Treaty between France and Germany which was the founding process of today’s European Union was avoiding conflict. Europe has seen much tension and turbulence since the end of the Second World War, but we have not seen armed conflict.
So as a businessman I would say support and embrace the European project, identify how you can get stuck into the opportunities and remember that Great Britain is essentially a trading nation which has knowledge as its principle resource
Kelso’s racecourse is about a mile and a bit for the hurdle course and a mile and a quarter for the chase. The hurdle is a bit sharper than the chase as they take a tighter bend into the country. Although is a tightish track it is not as sharp as say Bangor. There are minor undulations on this left hand circuit and a slight uphill finish. The strange thing is the long run in of about two furlongs has its final furlong following a funnel which narrows to about 8 metres. From that you’d think it would be difficult to make a late run and in fact many winners were nudged along close home looking cosy. The fences looked a bit on the soft side despite many guides describing them as stiff. All in all there are probably tougher point circuits out there. Which is fitting as the atmosphere at the track is friendly and the audience a knowledgable hunting crowd so not dissimilar to a top of the range meeting between the flags.
The layout for racegoers is very compact. Plenty of the areas are given up to members which means a daily badge may be worth considering. I didn’t but soon wished I had as there were precious little seated areas in the grandstand concourse unless you were eating. As soon as you get through the ‘turnstiles’ you are faced with a good sized paddock. The weighing room is clearly the oldest building on the site which was built in the early nineteenth century. It is a typical borders type granite stone ‘fort’ and a real feature. The grandstand or Tweede Stand is very modern and nicely laid out with corporate boxes above the viewing areas.
In the past there has been criticism of the ground at Kelso. A couple of years ago after overnight rain changed the official going to good, good to soft in places to good, good to soft in places. However the ground appeared false with the top soft but just beneath was firm. The gallop appeared to knock the top 10mm off the turf and therefore it didn’t really suit the soft specialists and looked a touch slippery. This must drive the trainers nuts in terms of what to run and how to race them. In fact one of the trainers commented about this on his way out after the seller. He asked one jockey returning whether it was riding any better. The jockey said not really and the trainer flounced out with an owner muttering that it was a disgrace before chatting through the next day’s entry at Thirsk where the worry as to fast ground was discussed.
At a previous meeting I attended here I looked at the runners and saw that Kelso was mainly supported by border entries with 90% from south of Edinburgh and North of Durham. The jockeys were mainly from the locals with a couple of ‘names’. The first race was a keenly contested novice handicap hurdle.
The track lacked any trees in the paddock unless you count a telegraph pole. The catering was ery decent indeed. I had a hot tasty cup of tea with real milk so a plus there for only £1.30. The food was also nive and a steak sandwich was great at £4 but proper beef so I was happy to pay that. The only water features on offer were one drainage lagoon near the furlong pole and some ornate drainage ditches with bridges in the immacualte golf course. Infact if the trimmed and varied trees around the course had appeared in the paddock then the Plumpton ladies would have had to put the Gordons in the draw.
I also noted a spire over the back straight which looked like it must have been part of a decent Kirk but couldn't be arsed to find out any more.
In recent years we have seen a growth in the trend of horses being bought out of Irish points. Several high profile horses including Best Mate were purchased in this way. Back in the eighties the route to riches was to buy an unbroken four year old Deep Run gelding. The number of these listed in Sporting Life adverts gave the illusion of an impressively virile stud lording it in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains watchful of herds of mustangs prone to skimming the odd barbed wire fence a little too close. The next trend which was a nineties image of picking up a nice young chaser from France. This was on the basis that they did mature a good bit earlier than those from these islands. They also seemed to take to jumping fences better than timber. As there was a very favourable weight for age pull this meant conditions were more open for those with the necessary talent. The Fellow was an early indication of this trend. Many others have followed not least the great Kauto Star. So as these trends seem to be of a ten year duration we must be due a new one. But what will it be? Other sources of thoroughbred may be tapped. The greyhound world has been turned on its head by the influx of Australian lines notably from the phenomenal Top Honcho. I am sure that no one stud has had such an impact on a bred since Eclipse himself. Perhaps a new line will dominate. However the question is how relevant to success is breeding in the jumping game? I would argue that the biggest influence on success has been training methods for example Martin Pipe followed by Paul Nicholls.
The Racing
First up was a half furlong over two and three quarter miles. It was a fairly well supported novice hurdle having thirteen runners. It was run at a fair gallop for the trip and produced a thrilling finish with winner and debutante Rowdy Rocket holding on by a head having joined issue inside the final furlong. Well bred for the game being from the same family as Kopeck. Stays this trip and will probably get three miles as well. Difficult to rate this run as did hurdle well but may find a penalty a push. Second home by a head was the Donald McCain trained Tarlan who tried to make most and ran with much promise on his debut having shown some jumping ability when winning an Irish point. Cost a few bob although probably as a flags winner than on a glowing pedigree. In truth there was a lot to like about both the first two who were well clear so if one wins next time out it will be a pointer to the other. Nothing like sitting on the fence! One final point is the fact that the good chaser and winner of a novice Smorting Exit was behind and I would say that put these first two on about OR110. The 6/4 favourite Dark Glacier on the basis of some good bumpers wins and a far from disgraced effort in the Champion Bumper. However he didn’t seem to be a natural hurdler and it may be sometime before he is troubling the judge. Storming Exit was carrying a penalty and the eight year old pulled too hard for his own good. He was rated 133 over fences last spring so this could be part of the prep having had a win and a third in novice events at Kelso this autumn so I would say after this that he may be in the right frame of mind to go well in a chase next run. Ravens Secret didn’t seem to stay or act on this tight track in comparison to the 20f second at Carlisle.
The 3 mile 1 furlong class 5 novices’ handicap chase was won in fine style by course winner Super Ally. Disputed throughout and led from about halfway. Appeared to be held approaching last but kept pulling a bit more out to win by over three lengths. Not very expose as this was only fourth chase so there could well be a bit more in the tank. Clearly suited by Kelso and stays at least three miles and can now move up to take on more experienced handicappers. Wins have both been with a slight cut in the ground. However the main positive to come out of the race was runner up Frontier Boy who was making smooth progress before hitting the second last but had enough once momentum was back to come back again and hang on for second. Is going the right way and the current 88 in novice handicap territory looks attractive. Also on the positive side was third home Chicago Outfit who was held up and gradually produced to stay on in strong manner. Looked to be on a confidence booster after unseating at Sedgefield. The well backed Tanzanite Bay was 9/4 favourite but pulled far too hard and was beaten before the last although not disgraced six lengths behind. I wouldn’t be rushing to back him next run.
The two mile six and a bit class 3 handicap chase was another exciting race on a good card today. The fight out was between long time leader the confirmed front runner and in-form Garleton buckled with hatrick chasing The Panama Kid with the latter prevailing by a length. Garleton is a game old battler and is in the form of his life approaching eleven up from 111 to 140 since May so might be at the top of his curve. He jumped well and led or disputed throughout. The Panama Kid stalked leaders but looked beaten five out when appeared not to recover from a blunder. He got going again and picked up well. Came to challenge approaching and lead at the last battling well to hold on to win. Up to 142 now goes best on tight tracks and although clearly talented may well find continuing this fine run difficult. Den of Iniquity lost touch around halfway where it was apparent had gone lame. Fancied Indian Groom was close up until quickly weakened from four out to finish fifth probably better in the mud and two miles. Raysrock prominent and jumped well but failed to quicken being caught for third by Mirage Dore on the run in. Is off 127 at the moment which I think is a bit too high for him. Mirage Dore stayed on well having been held up. He is now off a very attractive mark of 120 and this is a higher mark he won off over hurdles at Cheltenham. He also has a second place in the Coral in 2009 so has plenty of ability and comes out as a positive today as I would think at a stiffer track would hold a great chance. Douglas Julian made mistakes
The top hurdle of the day was a class 3 handicap over 3m3 so was a thorough test of stamina. The winner was the held up Soprano who came through to lead over the last and was pushed out to win by a comfortable eight lengths. Second was Scotswell who seemed to stay the trip well but lacked the finishing kick of the winner Wins have all been just shy of three miles though and on that basis this was a good run and he might be better campaigned over that shorter trip, however is 110 rated which is much higher than his 100 maximum winning level to date. More Equity stayed on very well and looks like she may be suited by even further. I would prefer to see her have a shot over the fences again but has been a bit of a disappointment since an April win over three miles at Kelso. The rest were all thrashed including the favourite King Fontaine who was staying on well having been held up until but a blunder three out led to being pulled up, returning from a fair effort in the Grand National so it wasn’t that encouraging for the future but the race often knocks the nuts out of horses.
The top race of the day was the class 2 limited handicap chase over two miles. This included the great Kalahari King who looked short of a run, the trip is too short for him but despite being well out paced from three out he seemed to finish OK. However was a long way behind this lot and I would like to see how he runs next time before casting a vote. He is in the Lancashire Chase entries which looks much more his forte. His stable mate was even less impressive being never in the hunt really. The going I think was a bit too soft for him and I know he had fair form in the French mud but my view is he needs good ground but a stiff test of stamina to be seen at best. His fourth in the Grand Annual off his new 137 mark auger well and I think he is a capable of much better when raced over suitable conditions. Despite all this the winner trained by Sue Smith was Stagecoach Pearl who jumped pretty well throughout and galloped on strongly. Is a more than useful two mile chaser and has only been out of the first three twice in his twelve chases (falling once when likely to be in the frame. Clearly decent but 152 is a lofty perch. Second was Sa Suffit who was probably a bit inconvenienced by the trip as needs two and half minimum really. His 149 might just be in his grasp given the right trip would be very interesting. Tchico Polos wore a tongue strap for the first time so there must have been some thoughts about breathing. Seems better suited by right handed racks, however I think he was given every chance at the weights given that all bar him and KK were out the handicap. A bit disappointing and I think he will find winning hard this year and as such I have him as a negative.
The class 4 handicap over two mile one closed off the steeplechasing for the day. It was won by Storm Surge, was always close up led from about halfway. Fiddled last but kept on. Very well ridden by Lucy Alexander as a seven pound claimer. Pushed up nine for the trouble which will be difficult to pull in. Baaher plugged on OK to be second. Just won one race out of 35 which was a fast going Perth handicap. Cannot see him winning any time soon though. Primrose Time had the momentum knocked out of him by an error at a crucial time but still rallied to finish third. Best suited by a stiff galloping track over this trip and I think a return to say Carlisle off this 105 will see him winning again and rates a positive.
We rounded off with a class 4 handicap hurdle over 2m2 with nearly half the obstacles omitted. It was easily won by Falygrey who was very nicely ridden by Alexander Voy who is a useful five pound claimer to win from leading where two out would have been. He is now up to 107which as an unexposed novice looks winnable. Suits sharp tracks. The favourite Jumby Bay was well beaten back in tenth never in with a chance and it could be that his neck novice hurdle win was not up to much so the 97 may be an over estimation of ability. Inoogoo remains a novice and was outpaced today but it was still a fair effort at the weights. Karmadice tried to kick on from where the old third last was which was the last today but was caught and one paced. Relatively experienced in this field and this was a chance today however clearly 105 is too high in the weights. The five year old Cool Baranca slipped on the final bend and didn’t recover. Unlikely to have been much more than his finishing fifth position.
Notebook
Super Alley (P) up £30
1 3/1
Took advantage of a lenient hurdle mark back ay his favoured Kelso next run however has now had a hike in weights and I would say unless here ar Kelso is well worth avoiding now until mark comes down
Frontier Boy (P) up £60
1 6/1
Mext run was a cracking win at Sedgefield. However subsequently weight has gome up a stone on Kelso run and despite a good effort to be third you couldn't have fancied him and have been ditched now
Chicargo Outfit (P) down £10
2
Fair second where a couple of novicey jumps at Doncaster he has ability on a good mark in comparison to the first and second out of this race so I am confident he can win a novice handicap chase before long. I know he is a bit chancey with his jumping but that can improve and is worth a few more goes
Mirage Dore (P) down £10
P
Jumped very poorly today and worth binning now
Tchicos Polos (N) up £10
0
Thrashed nrxt run
Baaher (N) down £40
1 4/1
Got that one wrong as a step up to 20f seemed to help despite missing a few out won at 4/1 but upped a bit now in the weights and I can see him losing a few more
Primrose Time (P)