Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
The Ferry Master gained his first success since November, 2020 when landing the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel Handicap Chase under Ryan Mania.
The £20,000 two-mile contest was the Ladies Day highlight on the final card of the spring at sun-kissed Kelso on Sunday.N
“He’ll probably have a wind operation, maybe sometime in July, but there there should be a race or two for him before then,” said winning trainer Sandy Thomson after his first winner for 63-days.
“The ground is key for him as he’s been down to run three times only for the going to turn heavy. If you go back to 2021 he was fourth in the Scottish National so he has a bit of class.”
Sam Coltherd, riding the half-length runner-up Hidden Commander, dislocated his right shoulder as he tried to get the long-time leader to rally on the run-in.
Rose Dobbin and Dylan Johnston teamed up to land the Five Star Taxis Handicap Hurdle with Rae Des Champs.
The mare, who cost £90,000 at Doncaster Sales two years ago, stormed home three and a quarter lengths ahead of Sputnik.
And Dobbin quickly completed a quick-fire double when Rockonsoph took the following J A Wilson Contractors Novices’ Handicap Chase under Sean Quinlan.
Three-time champion jockey Brian Hughes took the opening William Hill Bookmakers Novices’ Hurdle with Donald McCain-trained 1-6 favourite Clody Lane.