Nuts stores away possible winter success after triumph at Kelso track

Ridden by Danny McMenamin and trained in Northumberland by Ann Hamilton, the 17-2 chance saw off Ayr Right by a length and a half in the £25,000 NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase, reports Gordon Brown.

Owner and trainer’s husband Ian Hamilton said: “We were genuinely worried about the ground and he was nearly a non-runner, but, in the end, it was great to see him win again as he is a little horse who travels and tries really hard.

“Danny gave him a great ride and we never need to give him any instructions.

“We could go to Wetherby later in the autumn as there are a couple of possible races there and we may even step him up to three miles for a crack at the Charlie Hall Chase.”

Simply Ned (13), a two-time winner of the race and a dual Grade 1 winner in Ireland, was retired by his trainer Nicky Richards after coming home last of the five finishers.

Borders trainers Harriet Graham, Stuart Coltherd, Iain Jardine and Alistair Whillans were all on the mark at home turf at Kelso.

Graham saddled Dancewiththewind, a most impressive winner of the second division of the Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Hurdle under Richard Johnson.

And Linelee King was an emphatic winner on his debut over to complete a double for the four-time champion jockey in the William Hill Racecourse Bookmaker Novices’ Hurdle.