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.
Grozni bids to supply Sandy Thomson with a sixth victory in the Bruce Farms Scottish Borders National at Kelso.
The Greenlaw handler has previously been successful with Neptune Equester (2014 & 2015), Harry The Viking (2016 & 2018) and Flower Of Scotland two years ago in the £50,000 four-miler.
Grozni was trained in Newmarket by James Owen when fourth in last season’s Scottish Grand National but he changed hands for £24,000 in May and he has been saddled by Thomson for his two runs this term at Kelso on October and November.
He now carries the colours of Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe and is ridden by the Tayside owner’s retained jockey, the three-time champion Brian Hughes.
“This has been the plan for Grozni ever since we bought him in the spring,” Thomson said. “We know he stays and he’s in very good order and working well at home.
“Things have worked out pretty well in the Borders National in the past for us so lets hope we can do it again. As well as being a very good race, it is handy being on our doorstep and just 15 minutes away.”
Dangers to Grozni include Nicky Richards-trained President Scottie, who has gone close without winning a race so far over fences.
And Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore are double-handed with recent Ayr scorer De Legislator and Kelso Lowflyers-owned Cadell.
The other feature race on a tremendous card is the £75,000 Richard Landale Handicap Chase, named after the former long-serving managing director who passed away in July 2024.
Nells Son, Matata, Tommy’s Oscar and Traprain Law, the first four home twelve months ago, are all declared so another tremendous spectacle is possible.
Danny McMenamin-ridden Nells Son scambled home by a neck last year and he ran an encouraging race on his seasonal comeback at Carlisle in early November over a slightly longer trip.