Kelso Saturday

KELSO’S chance to shine came on Saturday, with the historic Morebattle Hurdle supported by a couple of blacktype races, the feature being the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle

Nells Son (Sean O’Keeffe) provided a bittersweet victory for Nicky Richards and owners David and Nicky Robinson, who lost both Chidswell (at Sedgefield) and Home Fires over the weekend.

A 16/1 shot, Nells Son made headway from midfield to challenge Cheltenham winner North Lodge (Alan King/Adrian Heskin) at the last, where the weakening Richmond Lake fell. The pair battled to the line, with Nells Son getting up close home to win by a short head.

Bold Endeavour (Laura Morgan/David Noonan) was third, some eight and a half lengths behind the principals.

Compliment

The winner was paying something of a compliment to Jonbon, to whom he was fourth in the Rossington Main on his previous start (Richmond Lake second), although he seemed to find the sharp two miles at Haydock against him, and was suited by the step up to two and a quarter miles in this contest.

Nicky Richards holds the winner in high regard: “He’s fairly ground dependent, he needs a bit of soft ground. The Scottish Champion Hurdle is a possibility, I said to Sean you’ll be seeing this horse at Leopardstown next Christmas. He’ll go chasing next season and he’ll make a wonderful chaser.”