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.
Gary Rutherford has his eye on another win at his local course with Looking Splendid as Kelso stages its final meeting of the spring.
The Jedburgh raider runs in the Racing TV Handicap Chase with regular jockey Dylan Johnston again doing the steering.
“They get on well together and Dylan has won three races on him,” Rutherford said. “For a big horse he handles good ground so that’s why he’s still on the go at this time of year.
“He was an impressive winner on his chase debut at Kelso at the beginning of April and he was a decent second next time as well. He’s had a wee bit time off since then and we are hoping for a another big run.”
Jenny Candlish-trained Dunkerque could be the one to beat after a novice hurdle win at Newcastle and a recent chase debut strike at Southwell.
The Ladies Day feature race, a £20,000 Elliot Henderson Group Handicap Hurdle, sees Irish challenger Impero trying to repeat last year’s ten-length romp.
The Co Meath visitor was a first winner at the borders venue for his trainer Cian Collins and Danny Gilligan is once more in the saddle.
A small but select line-up includes Kihavah, a useful performer on the Flat and over timber for Adrian Keatley.
Carluke permit trainer Andrew Hamilton will be hoping Defying Gravity can go one better in the novices’ handicap chase.
A bad blunder at the last saw him pipped by a short-head on his decent over fences at Perth 11-days ago and he was an unlucky loser.
Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore have five runners on the card and they could lift the opening novices’ hurdle with Luna Grace, who should come on for her jumps debut at Musselburgh in March.