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If this isn’t the race of the season so far, then I don’t know what is! The phrase “It’ll take some getting” springs readily to mind. Can’t see them cracking the 9-minute barrier. Enjoy.
Mike
Great to see the veteran Dawson City back for a third try at this race for Polly Gundry, who also part owns the horse under her married name.
He must be a fantastic horse to own and train, having won the Devon National (twice) and the Somerset National, and run in the Midlands, Scottish, Welsh, Sussex and West Wales Nationals as well in his long career.
He’s been around so long that three of the jockeys that have ridden him are now retired!
It will no doubt be nippy and soggy in Kelso but it’s currently -44 Celsius in icebound Dawson City, so I do hope there’s no power cuts there
Good stuff, hope the old horse runs his race
Tremendous race, tremendous result. Seventh course win for Big River in a thrilling finish. And Dawson City running-on late for fourth! (note: clearly needs five miles plus nowadays).
Nine minutes and six seconds of nirvana.
Mike
Must be the first time in ages that I haven’t backed Big River. Amazed that the meeting was on as, instead of going to it we escaped back down south to get away from the awful weather. Could hardly sleep Saturday night listening to the wind and rain. Disappointing not to get to the meeting with Adam having two runners (albeit both pulling up) and Phil having a winner.
My selection for the Borders National was Amateur, but once he had dropped out of contention I joined a few ‘neutrals’ in shouting on Big River. A cracking win for a horse who has put up some sterling work at Kelso. This was a well contested event and is a target for a good few trainers.
As usual I walked the course before racing and, given that htere was 23mm of rain overnight, the track was in remarkable good condition. Generally soft with just the odd gooey patch in more low lying areas, though off the final bend to the open ditch on the chase course which is where effort is required toward the finish.
Keep an eye on runners from Sandy Forster’s stable in the coming weeks. Some of her horses were rather portly at previous meetings, but Duty Calls had clearly had some work put into him and ran a very good race in the closer. Dr Shirocco went well for a long way in the 2.43.
Breaking The Ice won here for the third meeting in a row and is an excellent jumper for a horse competing at Class 4 level. Take note of Behindthelines who matched his jumping for a long way and still looked as though the race would bring him on.
Former Milnathort Racing Club Treasurer Roger Griffiths had an owning interest in Kavanagh’s Cross in the opening maiden hurdle. He was pessimistic about chances and advised me ‘not to put your house on it’, but the gelding stayed on nicely to win as it was entitled to off the back of a decent run at Cheltenham.
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