Kelso winner brings seasonal best for Coltherd

The gelding defied a 9lbs rise for his recent Carlisle win when leading from pillar to post in the Timeform novices’ limited handicap chase.

He stayed on gamely to hold the challenge of Mandarin Sunset from James Ewart’s Langholm yard by three-quarters of a length.

Winning jockey James Reveley went on to complete a double with another front-running victory – Mr Supreme justifying favouritism to head the Fiona Dalyrmple handicap chase, where two non-runners saw just four go to post.

There was a sting in the tail to his success, when Reveley picked up a three-day ban after weighing in two pounds heavier.

The Ewart stable went one better in the Elliot Henderson Ltd handicap hurdle race, where Zaru produced a game performance to hold Embsay Crag in an exciting finish.

Given a positive ride by Langholm jockey Dale Irving, the gelding battled resolutely to the line for a half-length success.

Lord Brendy obliged for favourite-backers in the opening Lyntoun Private Hire maiden hurdle race.

Ridden by Kenny Johnson and trained by his father, Robert, the grey powered home ahead of 100-1 chance Amilliontimes, who ran a stormer in the hands of Hawick claimer Craig Nichol.

Nichol gained consolation in the Hogg & Thorburn Chartered Accountants handicap chase with a fine front-running display aboard the Rose Dobbin-trained Robin’s Command.

“He´s a lovely horse and he´s doing what we always thought he could do,” said the Northumberland trainer.

“He wasn´t finishing his races so we held him up, but he seems to enjoy making the running and he finishes his races off now,” she added.

Keeneland recorded his fourth win from five starts over hurdles when powering home in the Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky handicap hurdle for in-form trainer Donald McCain.

Shropshire-based favourite Fruit Fayre – who missed two pointing engagements in favour of Kelso – was rewarded with a comfortable victory in the concluding Eildon Hill Stables novices’ hunter chase, defeating Buccleuch Cup victor Present Potential.

“She´ll go for the John Corbett Cup at Stratford,” said winning trainer Sheila Crow.

Racing returns to Kelso on Wednesday, May 7.

RESULTS

1.45 – LORD BRENDY (K Johnson) evs fav; 2, Amilliontimes 100-1; 3, Fearless Tunes 6-1. 13 ran. R Johnson, Tyne & Wear.

2.15 – DOUBLEDISDOUBLEDAT (J Reveley) 2-1; 2, Mandarin Sunset 8-1; 3, Clondaw Knight 13-8 fav. Five ran. S Coltherd, Selkirk.

2.50 – MR SUPREME (J Reveley) evs fav; 2, Isla Pearl Fisher 4-1; 3, Nodform Richard 5-1. Four ran. K Reveley, Cleveland.

3.25 – ZARU (D Irving) 4-1; 2, Embsay Crag 15-8 fav; 3, Parc Des Princes 4-1. Five ran. J Ewart, Langholm.

3.55 – ROBIN’S COMMAND (C Nichol) 7-4 fav; 2, Hotgrove Boy 13-2; 3, Have You Had Yours 11-4. Seven ran. Mrs R Dobbin, Northumberland.

4.25 – KEENELAND (A Lane) 4-1; 2, Allow Me 2-1fav; 3, Winstone 11-2. Seven ran. D McCain, Cheshire.

5.00 – FRUIT FAYRE (Mr P Gerety) 10-11 fav; 2, Present Potential; 3, Ballyanrahan 20-1. Six ran. Mrs S Crow, Shropshire.