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.
JOE O’SHEA and Henry Crow have enjoyed plenty of recent success in hunters’ chases and they have targeted Boley Bob at the prestigious Church House Investments Buccleuch Cup at Kelso.
The partnership have already teamed up this spring to land the big hunters’ chases at Cheltenham and Aintree with stable star Barton Snow.
Crow will be having his first ride at the borders venue while O’Shea has won with his previous two runners, Cottage Oak in 2013 and Time Leader a decade later.
In the winners’ enclosure at Aintree, Cheshire-based O’Shea announced he was retiring at the end of the season and he added: “I might change my mind but it will be because of Boley Bob, not Barton Snow!
“I always said I had a better one to watch out for at home and it’s Boley Bob, who is only six. He’s by the same sire and he’s brilliant although, like Barton Snow, he can stop when he’s in front.”
Rivals to Boley Bob include High On The Hill, who carries the colours made famous by 1988 Scottish Grand National hero Mighty Mark while Natasha Cookson sports the silks associated with the legendary Flying Ace, who won a total of 59 races between the flags and under Rules.
Freddie is another fabled name in the borders and his name will be forever linked with Reg and Betty Tweddie, whose names are attached to the 2m 7f handicap chase.
The Kelso Lowflyers will be cheering on Cadell, a three-time course winner, who was fourth in the corresponding event twelve months ago.