By Bill Harvey

Rising star Mania celebrates first-ever treble at Kelso

Borders teenager Ryan Mania, one of the rising stars of the northern jumps scene, celebrated his first-ever treble in front of a 2000 crowd at Kelso on Friday 21 November.

Mania (19) scored on Peter Monteith’s 11-8 fav Signalman and 15-2 shot Doc Row and sealed the 54-1 treble on Rayson Nixon’s 7-4 fav Political Paddy.

Signalman won the Louis Coppola Novices’ Hurdle, Doc Row was the short-head winner of the Ashleybank Investments Reg Tweedie Novices’ Handicap Chase and Political Paddy lifted the Irish Racing Annual Handicap Hurdle in great style to clinch the milestone.

“It’s fantastic to ride my first treble at my local course,” said the elated 7lb-claiming Mania, from Clovenfords, near Galashiels.

Ray & Anita Green’s King Barry (10-1) reigned supreme in the RBS Handicap Chase, staying on strongly from the final fence for a 6 length triumph for Pauline Robson and Richard McGrath.

“I fancied him today and backed him at 12-1. He’ll be aimed at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr in April.” said Ray Green.

Nicky Richards’ Palomar (9-4) impressed on his chasing debut under Davy Condon and Ockey de Neulliac was the 9-1 winner of the Lilburn Estate Introductory Hurdle for Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee.

Malcolm Jefferson’s mare Issaquah (5-1 fav) won the Scotdisc Handicap Hurdle, beating 17 rivals under 10lb-claiming James Halliday  in impressive fashion.