Charlie is Kelso’s darling

THE £30,000 feature race of Saturday’s fixture at Kelso Racecourse celebrates the discovery of a wishing well during the development of the new parade ring fewer than 18 months ago.
The well, an unusual structure to be found on a racecourse, is believed to be more than 200 years old and lay hidden beneath the main public concourse before the development works began.
It was subsequently incorporated into the design of the parade ring viewing steps. Any coins tossed into its water are collected for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
The two-mile five-furlong event was won last year by Charlie Mann’s Fixed Rate and the Lambourn trainer has another contender in the shape of The Dubai Way, a winner on his most recent outing which came at Plumpton in March.
Rose Dobbin has her horses fit and healthy after a quiet spell last season.
The Northumberland-based trainer, who enjoyed a winner at Kelso’s previous fixture and scored with Jonniesofa at Ayr on Saturday, is represented by Slanelough.
The big race entries include five previous Kelso winners, including ACDC, trained by Chris Grant, Beau Sancy, Bernardelli, Clan Legend and Western Rules.
The highest rated horse, on a BHA mark of 131, is Scoop The Pot who is owned by J P McManus and trained by in-form Ben Haslam.
The first race on the programme, the George Harrow Memorial novices hurdle race, has gone to the favourite for the past three renewals and always features some classy individuals.
Top trainers such Nicky Richards, Charlie Longsdon, Olly Murphy and Donald McCain could all have runners and the winner will be worth noting for the future.
In addition to the Injured Jockeys Fund, there will be opportunities to support the armed forces charity SSAFA, which will take over the charity tearoom, as well as World Horse Welfare, for which Bruce Farms have sponsored the second race.
Local trainer Alison Hamilton will seek to make it a family affair with Choix Des Armes ridden by Jamie Hamilton.
Rose Dobbin’s Jack Devine, with Craig Nichol already booked to ride, returns to Kelso for the Graeme Todd and Friends handicap hurdle at 1.20pm, a race he won last year.

Lucinda Russell has made a habit of winning the Ian Anderson Memorial handicap chase, having taken two of the last three runnings.
Scotland’s leading jumps trainer is five-handed at the entry stage with Ain’t My Fault, Effet Special, Le Frank, Saint Freule and Well Above Par.
The family of the late John Urwin, one of Kelso Racecourse’s most ardent supporters, will be on hand to present mementos to the winning connections of the race named in John’s honour at 3.05pm.
Donald McCain has a choice of three for the two and a half mile handicap hurdle race, including Cousin Oscar, Ormesherand and Quids In.
The first of seven races gets under way at 12.10pm and the gates open at 10am.