Kelso — Race report (yesterday)
Yesterday at Kelso the card went ahead on GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered: 6.5). Interchangeable (5/1) prevailed in a stirring finish in the 14:20 Percy’s Racing Dream Handicap Hurdle, narrowly getting the better of Evaluation, while Breaking Cover (9/4) took the 15:30 NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase after making headway into the closing stages. Upfordebate (5/4) just held on by a nose in the Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Chase and Luminaries (100/30) landed the 16:40 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle in the final 110 yards.
There were a number of non-runners and withdrawals due to the going and other issues: Bold Light and Kool Raoul were withdrawn as unsuitable for the ground, Traprain Law and Golden Point were also declared unsuitable, Ice Jet refused to line up and a small number of runners were reported off feed. No races were abandoned. Key veterinary and stable notes included a trainer’s representative saying Interchangeable had settled better than previously, and a post-race vet report showing the gelding was lame on the left fore. In the conditional jockeys’ event Boston Queen was pulled up with the rider reporting loss of action at the second-last, though the post-race veterinary check reported nothing significant.
Latest winners
| Race (time) | Going | Winner | Odds | Trainer / Jockey | Margin / Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percy’s Racing Dream Hurdle (14:20) | GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered: 6.5) | Interchangeable | 5/1 | John Dixon / Mr John Dixon | Won by a neck; trainer rep: gelding settled better; vet: lame left-fore |
| NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase (15:30) | GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered: 6.5) | Breaking Cover | 9/4 | Anthony Honeyball / Chad Bament | Won by 1/2 length after driving finish |
| Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Chase (16:05) | GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered: 6.5) | Upfordebate | 5/4 | Patrick Neville / Brian Hughes | Just held on (nose) after a sustained duel |
| Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (16:40) | GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered: 6.5) | Luminaries | 100/30 | Ewan Whillans / Charlie Maggs | Won in final 110yds; Boston Queen pulled up (jockey reported loss of action; vet clear) |
Kelso Tips and Today’s Races
Every Kelso meeting is covered by GG with full race form and a handy summary of all recent performances. GG also provides free tips with all UK and Ireland racecards plus the latest live odds. Our carefully selected Free Tip is highlighted on the racecard along with selections from leading newspaper tipsters. We also publish a daily NAP, Double, Treble, Lucky 15 and best outsider so that you have got every angle covered for the today’s Kelso races.
Kelso Race Results
Kelso is a picturesque National Hunt course in the Scottish Borders with meetings throughout the winter months. The biggest steeplechase at this venue is the Listed Premier Chase, won by Grand National winner Many Clouds in 2016. This race has proved to be a useful stepping stone to the Aintree marathon, a route also taken by Ballabriggs and Auroras Encore.
There are two top class events at Kelso over hurdles; The Premier Kelso Hurdle and the Morebattle Hurdle. The Premier Chase and Premier Kelso Hurdle take place at the late February/early March meeting while the Morebattle Hurdle is in mid-February. The Scottish Borders Grand National Day in December is another popular event and there is a season finale with Ladies Day’ at the end of May.
GG publish full Kelso race results within moments of the weigh in being confirmed. The winner, placed horses and SP returns are displayed as soon as possible on Today’s Results & Racecards page. This is later updated with the complete finishing order and Tote returns which can be accessed by clicking on each race title.
Racecourse Guide
Racing first took place on the current site in 1822, although racing was staged in the Kelso area at nearby Caverton Edge as early as 1751. The classical stand is a category A listed building and adds to the unique nature of this countryside track.
Kelso is a sharp, left handed track with a notoriously testing uphill finish. The hurdles track bisects the chase course so is much the sharper of the two. The gruelling run-in of almost a quarter of a mile was reduced to around a furlong in 2012 with the final obstacles moved closer to the finishing line. Although it is a sharp track, the fences are among the toughest in the country and this, combined with the uphill finish, make it a thorough test.
There have been plenty of high class winners at Kelso over the years. Course specialist Jinxy Jack won the Morebattle for four consecutive seasons between 1990 and 1993. Other top quality winners of the event include Direct Route (1997), Peddlers Cross (2011) and Simonsig (2012). High class winners of the Kelso Premier Hurdle include Morceli (1994), Clever Cookie (2014) and Le Prezien (2016).
Dining, Hospitality & Facilities
Kelso caters for all tastes and budgets with a wide range of eating and drinking facilities. A quick self-service outlet is available on the ground floor of the Tweedie Stand with no booking necessary. Rosie’s Bistro adjacent to the Paddock has a delicious menu of classic bistro and traditional pub favourites. Reservations can usually be made on the day but it is advisable to book in advance, particularly for the big meetings. Reserved Table Hospitality packages are available for pre-booking at the Winners Enclosure Marquee, the Hamilton Room and the Tweedie Stand.
Rail travellers arriving from Edinburgh should alight at Tweedbank Railway Station. Details of a Track to Track Bus service are published on the website. Berwick upon Tweed is the nearest train station for rail passengers arriving from the south and is 22 miles from the track.
Tickets
You can book Kelso admission tickets online. The course has one public enclosure which allows all racegoers access to the parade ring, winners enclosure and bars. Annual members have exclusive access to the Cunningham Room Bar. You can make savings by booking online with discounts typically ranging from £3 to £5.
Contact and Location
Kelso Racecourse, Racecourse House, Kelso, Roxburghshire TD5 7SX. United Kingdom.
Official Website: https://www.kelso-races.co.uk/
Local Knowledge
Taxis
- Kwik Cab Taxi (1 mile away)
Tel: +44 1573 225451
Places to Stay
- Border Hotel (1 mile away)
Woodmarket, Kelso TD5 7AX, UK
Tel: +44 1573 224791 - Cross Keys Hotel (1 mile away)
36-37 The Square, Kelso TD5 7HL, UK
Tel: +44 1573 223303 - Black Swan Hotel (1 mile away)
7 Horsemarket, Kelso TD5 7HE, UK
Tel: +44 1573 224563
Places to Eat
- China Town (1 mile away)
52 Horsemarket, Kelso TD5 7AE, UK
Tel: +44 1573 228181 - Waggon Inn (1 mile away)
10 Coalmarket, Kelso TD5 7AH, UK
Tel: +44 1573 224568 - Kelso Tandoori (1 mile away)
31 Horsemarket, Kelso TD5 7HE, UK
Tel: +44 1573 226653