Big win at Kelso for Hawick rider Craig

The 12-1 chance, partnered by Craig Nichol, careered away from Just Your Type to score by nine lengths, after leading at the sixth fence from home.

Dobbin, whose stable was badly affected by a virus last season, said: “What an amazing result! I’m absolutely delighted for my mother and father who have been so, so supportive of us.

“Ideally, I would have wanted another week between his races, after his win at Wetherby last month, but it has turned out well in the end.

“We have to be looking at something like the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February for him, now we know he stays four miles.”

Hawick-born Nichol completed a double when Keith Dalgleish-trained Glorious Lady justified favouritism in the mares’ novices’ hurdle.

Sandy Thomson, of Greenlaw, whose fancied big race contender Caventara fell when going well in the lead at the 14th, opened the card with an impressive winner in the shape of Elf De Re, ridden by his stepson-in-law Ryan Mania.