KELSO REVIEW - SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2009

By Bill Harvey

Knockara Beau impresses in Premier Kelso Hurdle

George Charlton’s Knockara Beau (6-1) starred in the £35,000 totepool Premier Kelso Hurdle on a tremendous afternoon of jumping action on Saturday 28 February.

Knockara Beau, ridden by Czeck-born Jan Faltejsek, stormed clear from the final flight to beat the 4-6 fav Wendel by 27 lengths in the colours of Stocksfield owner Ben Trueman in front of a 3600 crowd.

Charlton, lifting the Grade 2 prize for the second time after Bywell Beau (2007), said: “He’s a very good horse. I thought he would win and he stays forever. He’ll go for the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival.”

Nicky Richards’ Money Trix (2-1), the subject of a £6000-£3000 bet, won the totesport.com Premier Chase under Noel Fehily after the dramatic fall of the 4-5 fav Cloudy Lane at the first fence.

“Kelso deserve great praise for staging this race. He’ll be entered for the Scottish Grand National and the Perth Festival,” said the Greystoke trainer after Money Trix beat Natiain by 26 lengths.

Sue Smith’s Camden George (7-4 fav) and Description (7-2 fav), both ridden by Henry Oliver, sealed two winners for the West Yorkshire yard.

Peter Monteith’s Cantgeton (11-4) won the opener by a short-head and Lucinda Russell’s Livvy Inn powered to a 13 length victory on his hurdling debut at odds of 28-1.

The Reverend (100-30), ridden by Lucy Horner and owned by the Reverend Fiona Sample, gave Newcastle trainer Robert Coupland a memorable first winner under Rules in the hunters’ chase.