Special Rate racks up sixth win of the season to claim Kelso prize

Special Rate won his sixth race of a very productive season when taking the £15,000 feature at a chilly Kelso yesterday.

Ridden by Ross Chapman, the Philip Kirby-trained 15-2 chance landed the Chairman’s Cup Handicap Chase by just over two lengths from Jet Legs.

“Phil and his team have done a great job as not many horses win six times in a season and he’s maybe not done with yet,” Chapman said.

“Perhaps due to the longer trip, he jumped and travelled better than he did at Wetherby on Boxing Day and he had to tough it out in the end.”

Stuart Coltherd’s Silver Vision sprung a 25-1 upset in the opening Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle while another Scottishtrained winner came in the shape of Ginger Mail for Nick Alexander in the Kelso Betting Ring Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.

Lucinda Hughes, wife of three-time champion jump jockey Brian Hughes, enjoyed a winner with her first runner under Rules as 4-6 favourite Super Citizen took the hunter chase in the experienced hands of Nick Orpwood.

Meanwhile, It's Not Risky has found his niche upped to middle distances, with a double on the cards in the Best Odds guaranteed at be tm gm Handicap at Wolverhampton today.

Four starts from seven to nine furlongs on the turf provided little joy, but upped to a mile and three furlongs at Southwell on his most recent run, It's Not Risky finally got his head in front for Hugo Palmer.

He eases back in distance to an extended nine furlongs, having run well over that distance at Dunstall Park back in November.

Master Dandy can build on a narrow victory last time out by winning the Always Gamble Responsibly With BETUK Novice Stakes.

James Fanshawe's fouryear-old secured a hardfought nose success over Mattella at Newcastle in November. That win came over six furlongs but he should have the pace to be equally as effective over the minimum trip, with the recent outing putting a racing edge on him.