KELSO REVIEW - SUNDAY 29TH MARCH 2009

Bradburnes’ Kelso victory and Ewart brace on Ladies’ Day

Or de Grugy (15-2) lifted the £10,000 Birthday Handicap Chase (for the Wilfred & Patricia Crawford Memorial Trophy) for Susan and Mark Bradburne on Ladies’ Day at Kelso on Sunday 29 March.

Bradburne (32), in the colours of Cupar owner Lord Cochrane, sent Or de Grugy to the front at the third-last fence and the seven-year-old stayed on well to beat the gallant 4-1 fav Snowy by three-quarters of a length in front of a 3700 crowd.

“He’s deserved this success as he’s very consistent. I’m delighted to win this prize as I was Bedmax’s (sponsor) first customer,” said Mrs.Bradburne.

James Ewart is enjoying a tremendous start to 2009 and the Langholm trainer sealed a 12-1 brace with Super Baby (11-4), ridden by James Halliday, in the KOSB Novices’ Handicap Chase and 5-2 fav Classic Cut in the Eric Scarth Memorial Novices’ Hurdle under Dougie Costello.

Touch of Irish (5-6 fav) impressed on his hurdling debut for Alan Swinbank, Brian Hughes and Duns owner Bill Walker, romping to a 16 length victory.

Berwick owner John Stephenson celebrated his fifth winner in four weeks as the Sue Smith-trained 85-40 fav Description sealed a hat-trick in the SSAFA Forces Help Handicap Hurdle under Henry Oliver.

The Reverend (3-1), ridden by Lucy Horner and owned by the Reverend Fiona Sample, lifted the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Challenge Cup (Hunters’ Chase) for Newcastle trainer Robert Coupland.

Malcolm Jefferson’s 9-4 shot Gilbarry attracted a £3000-£2000 bet in winning the bumper in great style on his debut under Phil Kinsella and looks an exciting prospect.