One For Arthur to open Kelso development

Kelso will welcome One For Arthur to its meeting next Wednesday when the 2017 Grand National winner attends the opening of the new Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure on the first day of the season.

The first phase of the racecourse’s development programme, costing £350,000, includes a new viewing terrace around the Parade Ring which will allow racegoers to obtain an improved view of the horses both before and after each race. The new Parade Ring is more than 50 per cent bigger than the old one and incorporates the Winners’ Enclosure.

Jonathan Garratt, managing director of Kelso Races Ltd, said “The new layout will improve the flow of people and horses around the racecourse. Not only will it be safer, it will also give racegoers a better view and an improved experience all round.”

The development will be opened by One For Arthur, twice a winner at Kelso before his Aintree victory. The Lucinda Russell trained gelding is back in training after a leg injury and, although not ready to run again yet, another tilt at the Grand National fences is on the cards next year.

Prize money will exceed £1.25 million at Kelso this season and one of the early feature races, the 2 mile NSPCC Handicap Steeplechase on Sunday 7 October, will increase in value to £40,000.

Meanwhile, Spirit Of Appin can bring up her hat-trick in the EBF Breeders’ Series Fillies’ Handicap on day one of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster.

She got her head in front at Lingfield last month before showing plenty of spirit to win on her handicap debut.

While she only won by half a length at Ffos Las, Spirit Of Appin looked as though she still had a bit in the tank and the handicapper might not have her measure just yet.