07:29 Just 1mm of rain fell overnight and the going remains Good.

A dry, bright, day is forecast and the action gets underway at 12:30.

11:21 Good morning from a sunny Kelso where, in contrast to Hexham yesterday, we have an almost cloud free sky.

Now that may sound good but the sun is quite low and it may cause problems with some of the chases.

There is a slight going change, it is now Good, Good to Soft in Places.

12:46 Jurisdiction makes his hat trick but he had to battle hard to hold off late challenges from Arctic Court and Senor Alco.

The winner made all in this contest which saw some drama at the first as Belmore Baron ran out, luckily not interfering with any of his rivals.

Froggy Lane and Senor Alco kept the leader company for most of the contest and whilst the heavily backed Arctic Court was ridden very patiently by Richie McGrath.

It wasn’t until they began the final swing for home that Arctic Court began to make progress.

In the end the top three in the betting fought out the finish. Graham Lee managed to grab the stands rail as both his rivals launched challenges.

13:15 A good finish to this 3m 1f contest with Paddy Aspell riding a perfectly judged ride on the favourite Isla Pearl Fisher, hitting the front on the run-in to deny More Equity, who looked set to win approaching the elbow on the notoriously long run-in.

Aspell had been happy to keep his charge settled towards the rear before making progress as they went out on the final circuit.

Dukeofchesterwood had set the pace along with Top It All, with More Equity, Kyber and Lockstown in second rank.

There was little change in the lead until they began the turn for home when More Equity made her charge, with Isla Pearl Fisher the only challenger.

13:19 An extended 2m 6f Chase next with the Premier Traffic Management Handicap Chase with nine competing.

13:23 Sotovick has been withdrawn

13:47 Sheriff Hutton hit the front after the second fence and once in front was never headed, despite having to hold off late challenges from the favourite Cast Iron Casey and Or De Grugy, both looking as though they could take him on the long run-in.

It is all credit to his guts and determination that he held on to take the spoils, heading the favourite by 1¼ lengths with Or de Grugy the same distance back in third.

Stagecoach Amber and Zitenka were both prominent in the early exchanges only to tire late on.

Middleton Dene was unkeen from flag fall and it was no surprise when he was the first to pull up after only four fences.

13:58 A 3m 3f hurdle next, the Graeme Todd Haulage And Friends Handicap Hurdle with 11 going to post.

14:19 The near white Wild Cane Ridge set out to make all in this marathon hurdle, only to run out of fuel turning for home.

This allowed Captain Americo to hit the front, having been ridden mid-division by Harry Haynes before moving into a challenging position on the final circuit.

Although Silent Cliché went with him Captain Americo always looked the likely winner and as they came away from the last the result was never in doubt, with the field well strung out.

If the winner was beyond doubt there was a good battle for second spot with Rambling Minster closing down Silent Cliché to take second by a short head, albeit nine lengths behind the winner.  

The favourite Reble Swing was unimpressive, needing to be needled along and coming home a never nearer fourth.

14:37 Our feature contest next, the Mayfield Restaurant Chase (Limited Handicap), over two miles, with the highlight being the return of Kalahari King.

14:57 In truth Kalahari King probably ran as well as he could, conceding 20lbs to his rivals on his seasonal debut – he beat only one home!!

I’m Delilah set out to make all, tracked by Noble Alan the pair clear of Gringo and Kalahari King, with Cantgeton hacking around in last.

Apart from Gringo and Kalahari King occasionally swapping places there was no change in the order until they turned for home.

Coming to the last Noble Alan was on the quarters of I’m Delilah and looked to be going best of the pair.

However Nobel Alan was handed the race on a plate as I’m Delilah came down at the last, somewhat unfair for the long time leader. There will always be a “what if” but Nobel Alan was looking the more likely winner.

He was “chased” home by Gringo who easily got the better of his private battle with Kalahari King, although once beaten Graham Lee wasn’t too hard on his mount.

15:03 Getting very cold here as we come to race six, the Hazelrigg Racing Handicap Chase another 2m 1f five runner contest.

Nothing outstanding from the parade ring.

15:28 The market spoke as Ormus was very well backed in the closing exchanges and the support was justified – just!

In our closest finish of the afternoon Paddy Aspell again kept his powder dry, settling Ormus in rear before coming late, launching his challenge on the run-in.

Kosta Brava, who was deposed as favourite, had first run. As they approached the elbow Ormus just managed to grab the rail and the pair joined in battle. Ormus hit the front but Kosta Brava put up a determined fight.

Ormus led on the line but a stride after Kosta Brave regained the lead.

Super Baby led the field until the turn for home and came home third a long way behind the front pair.

15:38 Our final contest is the 2m 2f Merry Farriers Stag Handicap Hurdle, with 15 going to post.

Front Rank is a head shaker, Winter Alchemy is the pick.

16:03 A good front running performance from Sunarri, who hit the front after the second and was never headed giving a win to 7lb conditional Alistair Findlay, riding for his sister.

16:04 That's it from a now very chilly Kelso and I now have the delights of a 319 mile drive home.

From bonnie Scotland good night.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

no non-runners

Results

12:30 Novices' Hurdle 2m 6f 110yds

13:00 Handicap Chase 3m 1f

13:30 Handicap Chase 2m 6f 110yds

14:05 Handicap Hurdle 3m 3f

14:40 Handicap Chase 2m 1f

15:15 Handicap Chase 2m 1f

15:45 Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f