Landecker loves Kelso

Landecker enhanced his impressive course record with victory in the feature race at Kelso yesterday.

Trained by Nick Alexander and ridden by daughter Lucy, the 4-1 chance saw off Seldom Inn by a length and a quarter in the Isle Of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Staying Hurdle Series Qualifier).

Lucy Alexander said: “He loves it here and this was his fifth course win – he’s never won anywhere else.

“The course just seems to suit him and he won three times in 2014. He was idling in front today and it wouldn’t bother him to drop back in trip.”

The card started with a winner for 18-year-old Abbie Mccain riding Craig Star to victory for her father Donald, who sealed a treble with Whitsundays and Shataluze.

Jockey Brian Hughes also recorded a treble and the middle leg was supplied by Cool Mix, an odds on winner of the novices’ hurdle for Carrutherstown trainer Iain Jardine.

Lucinda Russell struck with Highland Hunter under Derek Fox in division one of the bumper. “We go to watch a lot of Irish point to points and that’s how we got this horse,” Miss Russell said. “He’s a lovely prospect and it was great to see him battle back after being headed.”

At Kempton today, Blazed looks a fair bet in the Matchbook Betting Podcast Handicap. The four-year-old hails from a decent family but made a belated start to racing, skipping a juvenile campaign before his bow at Wolverhampton last May. It took him six attempts to get off the mark for Roger Charlton but there was plenty to like about his initial win. A 2lb rise for a nose victory seemed a bit harsh but he showed he is capable off such a perch when second next time out, while the race perhaps did not pan out in his favour when fourth last time.