Neptune Equester wins Borders National

Neptune Equester defended his crown with a back to back victory in Sunday’s feature Persimmon Homes Scottish Borders National at Kelso.

His popular success in the £30,000 contest marked a memorable afternoon for Greenlaw trainer Sandy Thomson, who had earlier saddled Seeyouatmidnight to win the £16,000 Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course Paris Pike novice chase.

Just three of the eight starters completed the testing four-mile challenge, with Neptune Equester finishing 16 lengths clear of Presented, with Tikkandemickey, from Raymond Shiels’ Jedburgh stable, a game third.

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“We always knew he would stay, but he is absolutely relentless, and has a great heart,” said winning jockey Derek Fox, after riding the 12-year-old to victory.

Class hurdler Seeyouatmidnight had finished behind Silsol on his chasing debut, but reversed that form with an impressive performance, cruising home 13 lengths clear of Paul Nicholls southern raider.

“I am thrilled to bits with that,” said Sandy, whose wife Quona owns the winner.

“He was entitled to beat Silsol in receipt of 10lbs,” he added.

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“There is still plenty to work on and he is not ground dependent, although he wouldn´t want it too quick,” he added.

“Where we run next is tricky as there are not many suitable races in the north. It might be that he will go to Cheltenham in the New Year and then Wetherby in February,” he concluded.

Fife trainer Nick Alexander and his daughter Lucy – Scotland’s only professional lady jockey – began and ended the afternoon with a winner.

Road of Gold landed the opening Black Swan Kelso novices’ hurdle race before Marlee Massie headed the concluding Kristoffersen Carpets novices’ handicap hurdle race,

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Kelso owner Deborah Thomson celebrated a second course success with Alizee De Janeiro, when the five-year-old posted her second win from three starts to head a competitive D G Pryde Ltd handicap hurdle race.

“She hated the ground, so that’s not a bad performance for a horse that doesn’t like the going,” said winning trainer Lucinda Russell.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls won the Scotty Brand Champion Chase .

Racing returns to Kelso on Tuesday, December 29

RESULTS

12.00 – ROAD TO GOLD (L Alexander) 6-1; 2, Nuts Well 5-4 fav; 3, Cornborough 6-4. Eight ran.N Alexander, Fife.

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12.30 – SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT (B Hughes) 5-6 fav; 2, Silsol 11-4; 3, One For Arthur 8-1. Six ran. A Thomson, Greenlaw.

1.05 – ALIZEE DE JANEIRO (P Buchanan) 7-2; 2, Smadynium 28-1; 3, Hunters Belt 3-1 fav. Nine ran. L Russell, Milnathort.

1.40 – NEPTUNE EQUESTER (D Fox)11-4 jt fav; 2, Presented 15-2 3, Tikkandemickey 11-2. Eight ran. A Thomson.

2.15 – VIVALDI COLLONGES (N Scholfield) 15-8 fav; 2, Firth of the Clyde 100-30; 3, Silver Tassie 17-2. Six ran. P Nicholls, Ditcheat.

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2.45 – La Dama De Hierro (B Hughes) 6-1; 2, Miss Tiggy 12-1; 3, Presenting Rose 10-1. Eight ran. M Jefferson, Malton.

3.15 – MARLEE MASSIE (L Alexander) 10-1; 2, Oscar O’Scar 4-1 fav; 3, Kilquiggan 11-2. 13 ran. N Alexander.

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