New Year meeting looks good to go at Kelso

Racing is set to resume at Kelso on Wednesday when officials at the Borders track are optimistic of staging the first meeting of 2011.

Head groundsman Brian Meike is hopeful the first meeting of the New Year, when gates open at 10.25am, will beat the winter weather and come under orders as planned on January 12.

"The gradual thaw has helped," he explained, " and we have no waterlogged areas on the course which is currently about now 60% snow free."

The Kelso races website, Facebook and Twitter pages will be updated regularly with weather and up-to-date going reports.

Principle raced of the afternoon is the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course chase. Bruce Mactaggart's Steel Man has limited experience over fences but has two runs over course and distance to his credit for the Hawick handler. Jean MacGregor's More Shennanigans was third here in November and this long-standing maiden is due to open his account.

Racing comes under orders at 12.25pm with a novice hurdle. Just Maddie who has been to Kelso for six of her 11 starts for Selkirk owner trainer Rayson Nixon. Scarvagh Rose, trained by Rose Dobbin, ran at Ayr's New Year meeting and would prove a popular winner for the MS Borders Racing Club.

The European Breeders Fund supports racing across the UK and sponsor two races, including a mares only novice chase. The race is jointly sponsored by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association who work closely with the EBF to improve the quality of breeding stock throughout the UK. The objective of this type of race is to try and improve the quality of winning jumps mares who will in turn go on to produce promising youngstock. Jedburgh-based Tim Finch from the Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be on hand to present winning connections with mementos.

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