Race type - Jump
Kelso
Course details
Known as the 'Borders Track' on account of its location just inside the Scottish border, Kelso has been staging racing since 1822 when it was a flat racing only venue. It was only after the United Border Hunt moved to the area in 1888 that it switched codes to National Hunt and these days it stages around 13 meetings a year.
Tactics play a big part as it's often the jockey who makes a beeline for the stands' rail that prevails, and it's therefore not always the case that the horse travelling the best turning in wins the race.
GUIDE - For Racecourse
Left-handed, oval circuit of 1m3f.
Known as the 'Borders Track' on account of its location just inside the Scottish border, Kelso has been staging racing since 1822 when it was a flat racing only venue. It was only after the United Border Hunt moved to the area in 1888 that it switched codes to National Hunt and these days it stages around 13 meetings a year. The surrounding countryside can be described in one word - stunning. Throw in a warm, friendly atmosphere and competitive racing, often boosted by runners from the big southern yards, and it's easy to see why people flock here in good numbers.
Principal Races
The best racing in terms of quality is staged in February and March. The mid-February meeting sees the running of the Morebattle Hurdle over 2m2f, and the big southern trainers are not adverse to having a runner in it as a way of prepping their horse for the Cheltenham Festival. The 2012 renewal was won by Simonsig who went on to land the Neptune Novices'. The following month's Premier Chase and Premier Kelso Hurdle (for novices) also carry decent prize money and this ensures competitive fields.
Course Characteristics
The 1m3f chase course can be described as tight and the hurdles track, which is located inside it, even tighter. That does favour the smaller, nippier type of horse but they need to stay well too as the undulations and punishing 2f uphill run-in (chase course only) are stamina sapping. The run-in itself is separate to the main course, comprising of a right-handed spur with the winning post right in front of the grandstand, and this is where races are won or lost. Tactics play a big part as it's often the jockey who makes a beeline for the stands' rail that prevails, and it's therefore not always the case that the horse travelling the best turning in wins the race. This is particularly so on soft ground and money can be made by laying a short priced runner who elects to stay on the far side. The fences here are considered to be quite stiff and their uneven nature can catch out the iffy jumper.
Top Trainers
Lucinda Russell won the latter contest and she is the leading trainer here over the past five seasons with 27 winners and counting on the board. The quality of her string is improving all the time and so is her strike rate (14% currently). Nicky Richards also does well with his runners and while he trains less winners than Russell, he does have the better strike rate (26% in the current season). James Ewart, Andrew Parker are Chris Grant can also be relied upon for a winner, while it's worth noting that Nicky Henderson won with four of his five winners in the 2011-12 season. Clearly, he's not just coming here for the Scottish air!
Top Jockeys
With Graham Lee switching his attention to the flat, his position of top jockey here will quickly come under threat and it's the likes of Denis O'Regan, Richie McGrath and Peter Buchanan that will be challenging. All three know every blade of grass at this picturesque Scottish circuit and the latter's association with Lucinda Russell should ensure the winners keep flowing. It's also worth keeping a close eye on Campbell Gillies, whose nine winners in the current season have come at an excellent strike rate of 26%, with all his rides yielding a level stakes profit of £33. Timmy Murphy does most of his riding down south but often ventures up here to ride horses owned by his father-in-law Raymond Green and it's invariably a case of job well done.