Cromwell rules at Kelso
● King’s Wharf strolls home at Borders track
Gavin Cromwell made an instant profit on ex-willie Mullins trained King’s Wharf as the Irish raider and Jack Kennedy strolled home well clear of Avidity in the 2m 1f chase at Kelso.
It was the first course runner and ride for the winning combination and Cromwell said: “We paid £6,000 for him at Ascot in March and we’ve won over seven grand here.
“He looks like a good buy and I was planing to come back here again regardless of the result as they give you such a warm welcome.”
Rising teenage star Kennedy added: “The trip is all the more worthwhile now. The course is lovely and rides very well.”
Borders-born Callum Bewley, last season’s leading northern conditional rider, followed up his recent course win on Sudski Star, trained at Jedburgh by Harriet Graham.
The gelding carries the colours of Kelso director Geoff Adam and Graham said: “He won well and could come back here later in the month depending on what the handicapper does.”
Iain Jardine came off the cold list thanks to the success of Heart O Annandale and Ross Chapman in the 3m 2f chase and the partnership completed a short-priced double in the last with Golden Jeffrey.
On day two of the May Festival at Chester, Folkswood, who let down favourite-backers at Newmarket last month, should be given a chance to redeem himself in the sportingbet.com Huxley Stakes.
Hopes were high that the Godolphin runner could hit the Group Three mark in the Earl of Sefton Stakes but he fell short against Steel Of Madrid.
It was still a good effort, though, and stepping up to ten furlongs in a tight event here, Folkswood should certainly be in the mix at the line.
Aidan O’brien has dominated the MBNA Chester Vase Stakes in recent years, winning five of the last six, and while he fields four of the eight runners here, Count Octave is taken.
Trained by Andrew Balding, Count Octave is a half-brother to Treasure Beach and the fact he is a son of Frankel only adds to his bluechip pedigree.
He made a late debut at Goodwood last October, chasing home fellow Classic hope Monarchs Glen and recent wide-margin Southwell winner Pealer in third. He reappeared at Wolverhampton in March, defying his inexperience to win by three lengths with little fuss.
He has much to find with some of the more established performers but the fact Balding has him in a race like this bodes well and there are no doubts about the trip as he is already a 12-furlong winner.