A fine afternoon at Kelso today and on to Carlisle tomorrow where we have three runners on ground that I hope will ease a little from the current good, a bit of rain forecast tonight, badly needed everywhere.
We start with recent course and distance winner Bel Amigo in the 2.10, he carries a 7lb penalty for that win and meets the favourite on unfavourable terms but will hopefully run well again – 7 run and Bruce rides, tactics will be interesting.
Bel Amigo
Artic Row runs in the Go North Middle Distance Chase Final at 3.55; his last run can be ignored as the ground was far too soft so hopefully he can bounce back to form if this race doesn’t come too soon for him. He is unproven on an undulating track but the way the race is likely to be run should suit him, ground fine though like a little rain to take the sting out of it – Conor rides and 11 run.
Artic Row
Our final runner of the weekend is Dubai Days in the Veterans Chase at 4.30; he won last time out at Haydock on his belated seasonal debut and, whilst he has never won over 3m he hasn’t been far away at that trip, and he has won at this track. Small field should suit well so hopefully he can give another good account – Bruce rides and 4 run.
Dubai Days
My Lady Elektra before her race this afternoon
It is great to generally be running for decent prize money this weekend; so far the Go North Festival has been a mixed bag for us. At Musselburgh yesterday the ground and pace of the race was too quick for Beat the Retreat and Mack the Man; Not in Kansas also failed to handle the ground and was pulled up quickly by Bruce, luckily she seems fine today, Anamanda ran a career best to finish a close 3rd and Just an Artist made a pleasing debut to finish 5th. Today at Kelso My Lady Elektra outran her long odds to finish 4th as we had hoped, Ballyfort also ran very well to finish 4th. Let’s hope they all run well tomorrow then with a little bit of rain next up will be Hexham on Wednesday.
and after…