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.
Elvis Mail and Famous Bridge renew their rivalry in the £15,000 United Council Of Racecourses Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.
Better known these days for their exploits over fences, the pair were late withdrawals in the feature chase at Kelso last Saturday, a race in which they were first and second twelve months ago.
“It was an excruciating decision to withdraw Elvis Mail last week as he had won the race for the last two years,” trainer Nick Alexander said. “But he had a nasty injury at Doncaster last December and I swore I wouldn’t chance him on ground that wasn’t at least good to soft – we’ve had to regroup as there isn’t a lot of options for a horse at his level.”
Alexander also saddles Elvis Mail’s younger half-brother Ginger Mail while his near neighbour Lucinda Russell is double-handed as well with Esprit Du Potier and Whistle Stop Tour.
Martin Todhunter will fancy his chances of Tommy Combats landing the Bet With Rails Bookmakers On Course Handicap Chase.
The Cumbrian raider has plenty of placed form, including two seconds at Ayr last season, and a return to 2m 4f should be to his liking.
Surrey Belle, a non-runner in the Cesarewitch due to fast ground, shoulders top-weight in the Bet With On Course Bookmakers Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
All impressive all-the-way winner at Ayr’s Gold Cup festival, she has won three of her six starts over hurdles and is a fascinating recruit to fences for Adrian Keatley and Craig Nichol.