Caitlin raises Ruth at Kelso
Jefferson’s mare joins Premier league with an impressive success in Kelso showpiece
Clondaw Caitlin extended her winning sequence when landing the Grade 2 Premier Hurdle at Kelso.
Ridden by Brian Hughes, the 9/4 second favourite slammed Elf De Re by five lengths as she stepped up in class and dropped back in trip.
The winning trainer Ruth Jef ferson, whose late father Malcolm won the 2017 renewal with Mount Mews, said: “I’m delighted with that and the main concern was the shorter trip as opposed to taking on the boys or tackling a Grade 2.
“She will probably run just once more this season, either at Aintree in April or on the mares’ day at Cheltenham later in the month. We really like her. She can be a madam and one day tried to kick three people!”
Title- chasing jockey Hughes added: “It was a bold shout to come here, it was Ruth’s call and it’s paid off. She’d won a couple of mares’ races and a bumper. She’s owned by family friends of my wife, so it was nice of them to let me ride her.
“She had point-to-point form, so staying was never going to be an issue for her. You need to stay in these conditions.”
Definitly Red, sent off evens favourite, advertised his chances for the Grand National with a 14-length success over Kauto Rico for Danny Cook in the Listed Premier Chase.
The winner was slashed to a best-priced 20/1 shot for Aintree on April 4 and his trainer Brian Ellison said: “I’m not a big punter but I’ve backed him at 33s.
“He’s won on heavy ground but it was tacky today and not ideal. The cheekpieces helped him concentrate and they will be on again in the National.
“He’s a class horse and has 10st 10lb at Aintree and a I fancy him a lot. Tiger Roll has won all those races at Cheltenham and the last two Nationals but I think that we’ll win it this year.”
Cook was also full of praise and added: “This horse is a legend and has been great for me. He’s won today despite not enjoying the ground and been helped by the two fences in the home straight being missed out.”
Milvale was a popular winner for local boys Sandy Thomson and Ryan Mania in the 2m 6f handicap hurdle.
Thomson said afterwards: “He’s had a few issues which we have ironed out. He’s deserved to win a race and this will have done his confidence the world of good.”
Protek Des Flos (15/2) made the trek up from Ben Haslam’s Middleham base worthwhile in the Cyril Alexander Novice Memorial Chase.
The JP McManus- owned novice was outpaced three out but came with a powerful run to beat Looks Like Murt (5/2 Fav) by a length under Richie
Mc L e r n o n .
Article Fifty (9/1) struck for Cumbria’s George Bewley in the Johnston Smillie Chase.
The seven-year-old powered to the front two out and overcame a poor jump at the last to see off Uno Valoroso (8/1) in impressive style by four lengths under the trainer’s son Jonathon.
Late Romantic (9/4) was in a class of his own in the Edinburgh Gin Veterans’ Handicap Chase.
Oliver Greenall’s 10-year- old cruised to the front three out under Charlie Todd and stayed on strongly to beat Samstown (11/2) by 26 lengths.
Stratagem (4/9 Fav) oozed class in the Terry Frame Joiners Juvenile Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls’ four-year- old never saw another rival under his owner David Maxwell, eventually easing home 24 lengths to the good of chief victim Three
Castles (7/1).