KELSO REVIEW - SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2008

By Bill Harvey

Russell’s Hurdler Stars In Kelso’s Intermediate Hurdle

Lucinda Russell’s Gray Mountain (9-2) lifted the £8000 Support Childline Intermediate Hurdle in great style under Peter Buchanan in front of a 4500 crowd on a glorious afternoon at Kelso on Sunday 5 October.

Gray Mountain, owned by Buchanan’s sister Jane, stayed on strongly to retain his unbeaten record over hurdles by 8 lengths in impressive fashion and is to be aimed at Chepstow on 25 October.

More Likely (12-1), owned, trained and bred by Ailie Tullie, romped to a 17 length victory in the Betfair Handicap Chase under 19-year-old Ryan Mania for the Duns permit-holder.

Border Tale won the opener for Jimmy Moffatt and Brian Hughes at odds of 12-1 and Graham Wylie’s Silk Drum (5-2) impressed on his hurdling debut for Howard Johnson and James O’Farrell.

Kim Bailey, trainer of 1990 Grand National hero Mr Frisk, celebrated his first-ever Kelso success as Max Bygraves (4-1 jt fav) scored for Tom Siddall and the Tom George-trained Red Man Ray (7-2 jt fav) sealed a Gloucestershire brace under Denis O’Regan.

Malcolm Jefferson’s McMurrough (7-2) lifted the bumper for Phil Kinsella and looks a smart prospect for the Malton yard.

Hawick’s Ben Graham won the Border Principals’ Race over five furlongs in impressive style on Winner Takes It All and received the loudest cheer of the afternoon.

The Duke of Roxburghe’s 11-year-old son George Innes-Ker won the 5f pony event on Clonross Star and East Yorkshire’s Alex French (12) won the 7f race on Miss Brady.