Ellison savours Kelso treble

Forest Bihan was a brilliant winner of the big race at Kelso yesterday as trainer Brian Ellison completed a treble in front of an appreciative Borders Principal card crowd.

Sent off at 9-2, the Danny Cook-ridden six-year-old saw off Simply Ned by a length and three-quarters in the NSPCC Service Handicap Chase.

Ellison said: “That was a terrific effort and he never missed a beat. His form as a novice last season was top drawer and he was unlucky not to win a Grade 1. I’ll speak to his owner Phil Martin but the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter would be an option next. We’ve always liked him and he’s still only six.”

Ellison also struck with Newstart in division one of the Newcastle Arms Coldstream Handicap Hurdle and Point The Way in the Alexandra Carrington Novices’ Chase to round off a 26-1 treble.

Beyond The Clouds and Some Reign look like two above-average jumps recruits and they fought out the finish of the Blue Coo Bistrot Novices’ Hurdle. The former, trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Brian Hughes, saw off the latter by a couple of lengths and both showed immense promise.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of winning form on offer in the feature race on the extra meeting at Musselburgh today.

Nine runners line-up for the Listed £30,000 EBF Musselburgh Fillies’ Sprint Stakes and they include Michael Dods pair Intense Romance and Mabs Cross who have won nine races between them this year.