THERE were small but select fields at Kelso on Thursday but I can’t help thinking we can expect plenty of future winners to emerge from the card.
The Morebattle Hurdle, which went to Cyrus Darius for Scotsman Graeme Calder, has been won in the past by Large Action and Peddlers Cross, who both went on to finish second in the Champion Hurdle.
It has also gone to subsequent dual Festival scorer Simonsig, while Zaynar suffered a shock defeat at 1/14 in 2010 before a fine third in that year’s hurdling championship.
I’m not saying Cyrus Darius is a sure thing for Cheltenham (Born Survivor would have run him close had he not fallen two out), but I don’t think he would be disgraced if allowed to take his chance.
That eventuality remains in the balance as trainer Malcolm Jefferson was non-committal about his targets when interviewed post-race as he’s also in the Coral Cup.
Saphir Du Rheu, winning for the first time in almost two years when bagging the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase, holds entries in both the Gold Cup and Grand National. It was a beaming Sam Twiston-Davies who said owner Andy Stewart hadn’t ruled out a tilt at Cheltenham now he has his confidence back.
For Rachael McDonald there was no fairytale outcome as, having turned professional, she trailed in fifth in her first paid ride on Rowdy Rocher at Kelso.
TWO local trainers made the headlines at Ayr’s 10th jumps fixture of the season on Tuesday.
Las Tunas started the ball rolling for Galston handler Mike Smith, whose horses are now in terrific form, while No No Mac landed a bit of a touch for Ian Duncan, an Irishman based just five miles from the track at Coylton. Duncan has only run six horses this season and all bar one has managed a win.
SPEAKING of Ayr, Lee Newman made his latest comeback in Australia on Wednesday when he finished seventh on Rogue Empress trained by his new employer Fred Kersley. He is based at Perth and, with his weight back under control, he’s already been dubbed The Flying Scotsman by local commentators.
THE next racing in Scotland is at Ayr a week tomorrow, when there is substantial prize money up for grabs. The feature event is a £15,000 novices’ limited handicap chase over 2m 4f and there is a £12,000 handicap hurdle over the same trip.
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