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.
ARDERA CROSS, bottom-weight in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase, bids to move ahead on his own as the modern-day record-holder over jumps at Ayr on Tuesday.
Trained by Clyde Valley permit-holder William Young, he joined The Bajan Bandit on nine course wins with his 14-1 success on January 2.
The Bajan Bandit, trained by now-retired Len Lungo, only lost once in ten visits to Ayr between November 2000 and March 2008 and his victories came in bumper, hurdling, chasing and hunter chasing company.
Thirteen-year-old Ardera Cross, set for his last campaign according to his handler, will be making his 33rd appearance at his favourite venue.
“He’s certainly not owe us anything,” said Young of the gelding, who cost a mere £1,000 out of the Dan Skelton stable in the spring of 2019. “Given his age, it will probably be his last season and I imagine the only places he will run between now and his retirement will be Ayr and Cartmel.”
Patrick Wadge, currently lying second in the race to become champion conditional, has five mounts starting off with Fiveafterfour for his boss Lucinda Russell in the Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys’ Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
A winning point to pointer, who cost £80,000 last April, she carries the same colours as the stable’s dual Grade 1 winner Ahoy Senor.