Halloween hopefuls look to make presence felt at Kelso

A competitive feature EDF/ER handicap chase could see potential Grand National candidate Harry the Viking in the line-up for Greenlaw trainer Sandy Thomson.

He has already proved his liking for the track with two good seconds last season.

Another to watch is the Chris Grant-trained William Money, who won here in February, before scoring again over a longer trip at Haydock.

One of racing’s great characters is celebrated with the running of the “Sir Maxwell Harper Gow memorial handicap hurdle” race, sponsored by Leonard Harper Gow and his Greenlaw family. Recent Carlisle victor Endeavor, will be making his 95th appearance if declared to run by Cumbrian handler Dianne Sayer.

One of the impressive Borders business success stories is that Eric Gillie and his family have now been trading for 40 years, providing an unrivalled horse transport service across the country from their base at Potsclose, just south of Kelso. Major Ivan, named after the late Ivan Straker, would be a popular winner of their race, having finished second on his racecourse debut at Kelso two years ago. The James Ewart-trained Touch Of Steel goes for a course hat-trick after his recent wins at the first two autumn meetings.

Robert Thomson Builders from Trabrownhill back the opening maiden hurdle race where a huge entry includes the Nick Alexander-trained dual Irish point-to-point victor Bertalus. Another interesting contender is Big River who won a bumper at Kelso in March.

The Clifford and Martin Firth race has an interesting contender in Shubaat, a four-timer hurdle winner, for John Ferguson. Ueueteotl was homebred by James Ewart’s brother William and he has already won a bumper as well as over hurdles and fences.

The final race, at 4.50pm is sponsored by William and Stephanie Carrington from Cornhill who support B.A.R.K. and the work they do to help small animals. Selkirk trainer Stuart Coltherd has a few entries on the card including Hatton Springs who has gone close several times on the Flat in 2015. Lorcan Murtagh, for Rose Dobbin, is set to partner Marrakech Trader for the Alnwick trainer.

Racing comes under orders at 1.55pm.