Richards hopes Marown can rediscover best form in Kelso feature race
Nicky Richards is hopeful of a return to form from topweight Marown in today’s £15,000 feature race at Kelso. Greystoke raider, who was pulled up on his only run so far this term, faces seven rivals in the Borders Carers Trust Handicap Chase over just short of three miles.
Richards said: “He just never got into a rhythm at Catterick in February and probably the track just didn’t suit him on his first race since some wind surgery.
“At one time he was a very well regarded horse so it’s a shame he’s had one or two issues that have prevented him achieving what he is capable of.”
The opposition to Marown is headed by Ann Hamiltontrained Bavington Bob, who is on a four-timer following two victories at Newcastle and one at Carlisle. Also in the line-up is Nick Alexander’s Broadway Joe, the winner of three races already this campaign for his Kinneston connections.
Who knows what might emerge from the Brewin Dolphin Buccleuch Cup as the 1958 renewal of this maiden hunters’ Chase went to Merryman, the winner of the Scottish Grand National a year latthe er and then the first televised Grand National at Aintree in 1960.
There may not be anything of that quality in today’s fiverunner line-up but the application of cheekpieces may squeeze some improvement out of Alone No More, who was fourth in the corresponding race last year for Lucy and Emma Brown.
At Redcar, Primrose Ridge can build on her highly-promising debut run and get off the mark in the Flat Is Back Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes.
While Persian Force took all the plaudits when running away with the first two-yearold contest of the season, the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, Primrose Ridge belied her odds of 40-1 with a cracking display. She was clear second best behind the even-money favourite, who looks potentially smart, after making a lot of the running, and certainly looks a bargain purchase by inform trainer Darryll Holland at 8,000 guineas.
Primrose Ridge has no colts or geldings to face this time and should take all the beating.
Copper Mountain was an eyecatcher at 50-1 on the second of her two visits to Redcar and looks set to open her turf account in the Racing TV Straight Mile Handicap. Her fourth of 19 behind Rockprincess in October was the first real bit of form she showed, and since then she has had a profitable winter campaign on the all-weather.
The Sir Percy filly, trained by
Mick and David Easterby, won two of her four starts and has had a six-week break since her last run at Southwell where she was runner-up to Sid's Annie.
Delgrey Boy can start the season the way he ended the last with victory in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap.
Tim Easterby's charge led inside the final half-furlong here in October when coming three-quarters of a length clear of Hayadh.
The five-year-old was a model of consistency last term, winning twice and being placed eight times from 14 starts. Hopefully there is more improvement to come and the Delegator gelding can start the campaign on a positive note.