After George Martin appeared unsteady in the dock and admitted he had been drinking, he spent lunchtime in the cells.
The 38-year-old muttered obscenities as he was handcuffed and led away.
Martin, of Allars Bank, Hawick, was jailed for a total of seven months. He was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment after being found in contempt of court – added to a five-month jail term imposed for behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Dickson Street, Hawick on May 11, 2011.
A Hawick woman who persistently screamed, shouted and swore in the town’s community hospital was jailed for five months.
Samantha Dibbens, 24, of Wellfield Road, appeared from custody and admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on January 24.
A Selkirk man appeared in private, facing two fraud charges.
George McLeod, 43, of Bleachfield Road, made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.
In a bid to fund his cannabis habit, Daniel Tait decided to sell some of the illegal drug.
The 21-year-old first offender, of Hawthorn Road, Galashiels, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis at his home on February 2.
When police officers called at his flat with a search warrant, Tait candidly told them: “I know why you are here. There is an ounce in the bedroom.”
Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said: “He showed police a large bag of herbal matter and scales in his bedside cabinet.”
A smaller bag of herbal matter was also seized from a shelf in the living room. Both tested as cannabis, with the smaller bag estimated to be worth £20 and the larger valued at between £150 to £350.
Ms Bradley said the accused was “extremely co-operative”.
Asked what he intended to do with the cannabis, he replied: “Sell some of it.”
Defending, Mat Patrick said his client worked as a part-time sales assistant.
The defence solicitor explained: “He is a long-term smoker of cannabis and decided to sell it on to fund his own habit.
“Any surplus money would help to pay the bills, although there is no suggestion that he would make a huge amount of money.”
Sheriff Kevin Drummond interjected: “He is trading.”
“He knows that he has been incredibly stupid,” added Mr Patrick.
The sheriff deferred sentence until April 8 for reports, warning Tait: “It sounds like you took a decision to do some trading in cannabis. Big mistake. This is a very serious charge.”
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard on Monday how a retired teacher fraudulently claimed more than £30,000 in benefits.
The 66-year-old first offender failed to declare an occupational pension, and for some four years received over £21,000 pension credit. He also collected more than £9,000 housing and council tax benefit over a two-year period.
Allan Baldwin admitted obtaining £21,217.80 pension credit to which he was not entitled between July 25, 2007, and August 21, 2011, at Muthag Street, Selkirk.
He also pleaded guilty to obtaining £9,091.76 housing and council tax benefit to which he had no right to between January 6, 2009, and July 17, 2011, at Meadowfoot Road, Ecclefechan.
Baldwin had sentence deferred until April 8 for a supplementary report.
Depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley told how the accused was receiving monthly payments to his bank account from an occupational pension. When enquiries were made, Baldwin confessed, commenting: “All I can say is that I have been ill for a long time.”
His lawyer, Greig McDonell, said Baldwin had retired early in 1996 through ill-health.
“When he reached retirement age, he was entitled to a state credits and was suffering health difficulties when he applied,” he explained.
Mr McDonell said his client realised he should not be receiving the benefits, but “felt trapped and decided to stay quiet about it”.
The solicitor went on: “He may have made a confused error initially, but became aware of that and had the opportunity to tell the benefits agency, which he didn’t.”
Mr McDonell said his client was currently making some repayments, but appreciated it would take a considerable time for the sum to be repaid.
He said Baldwin, who now lives at Peter Street, Rishton, Blackburn, appreciated custody would be considered, but that such a disposal would have a severe impact on his family.
AFTER shouting and swearing in her home, Emma Lowe then brandished a knife.
The 40-year-old was told to calm down, but picked up a large knife from the kitchen. One of the men in the flat shouted, “she’s got a knife”, and managed to get it from her before running out of the house and contacting police.
Lowe, of Gala Park, Galashiels, admitted brandishing a knife at her home on January 19.
Police found her under the influence of alcohol and extremely agitated.
Lowe’s solicitor said his client had “succumbed to drink” after a period of abstinence.
On a further complaint, she admitted stealing meat worth £70 from the Co-op in Lauder on February 4.
Sentence was deferred for 12 months – until February 24, 2014 – for Lowe to be of good behaviour.
Dragging her friend by the hair down a flight of stairs cost Jayne Stockman a £165 fine.
Forty-year-old Stockman, of Woodstock Avenue, Galashiels admitted assaulting a woman at a house at Langlee Road, Galashiels, on December 17.
Depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley said both women had been drinking and began arguing about money and a mobile phone.
As the argument became more heated, Stockman grabbed her friend by the hair and pulled her along a corridor onto the common stair landing before dragging her down some 12 steps.
The woman sustained minor head injuries.
When police spoke to Stockman the next day, she told officers: “I done it.”
Defending, Iain Burke said the two women remained good friends, with the victim accompanying her to court.
He added: “Drink was a significant factor here. She is back on her medication now, which she had stopped taking at the time, as she wanted to drink.”
A drunken man was seen brandishing what looked like a handgun in Galashiels.
Thomas Cole had bought the imitation firearm from a toy shop, claiming it was intended for his mother to fend off burglars.
Forty-one-year-old Cole, of High Street, Yetholm, was sentenced to a six-month community payback order after he pleaded guilty to brandishing an imitation handgun in Channel Street and Market Street on October 15 last year.
Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said his client was “hanging around with a group of heavy drinkers and was drinking heavily himself at the time”.
The lawyer added: “He says he bought the gun from a shop opposite Jedburgh Sheriff Court and it is essentially a toy, although at first glance it does look like a real gun.
“He is aware that it was a stupid thing to do.”
Sheriff Kevin Drummond observed that an earlier narration of the facts stated the accused claimed to have bought the gun to give to his mother to fend off burglars, but that he offered it to her and she refused it.
The sheriff said Cole was described as an intelligent young man who had become associated with drink and drug users, and involved in extensive use of magic mushrooms.
Mr Patrick said his client had taken no alcohol or drugs for some time.
“He is trying to put the past behind him. He knows that this is behaviour which cannot be allowed to go on, and that serious consideration has to be given to custody,” he concluded.
Sheriff Drummond warned Cole: “Were it not for your well-established mental-health issues you would be going to prison. To be found in the street, waving albeit a toy gun, is a serious situation which could also give rise to a serious public order situation.”
THE Borders Sport and Leisure Trust is preparing to move its head office to a building it has purchased from Borders College in Galashiels.
The organisation has worked in partnership with the college on a number of other initiatives, including the 3G Arena in Netherdale and the TRiFitness centre. This latest project has seen the trust purchase one of the former Borders College campus buildings to create a centrally-located office for its growing band of employees – which has increased by 44 per cent since July 2011 when it took on responsibility for sports development and the Active Schools programme. It now employs more than 300 staff.
BSLT chief executive Ewan Jackson said: “We are all looking forward to the move which will take place in the next few months. Until now we have had staff based in three separate locations – Hawick, Selkirk and Galashiels – so it will be brilliant to get everyone together in the same place, both from an efficiency and team-building perspective.”
The lease on BSLT’s current headquarters in Selkirk expired at the end of last year, but the trust will continue to use the premises on a month-by-month basis until the new office building is ready for occupation.
Borders Fjordhus Reivers II 5
Inverleith II 0
EAST LADIES’ FIRST DIVISION
AN ENERGISED Reivers team took to the tiger turf on Saturday at Tweedbank against a youthful Edinburgh side.
Following a heavy defeat the previous weekend and a tough training session, hard work, discipline and determination were apparent from the opening whistle by the home team.
Reivers held a composed shape and passed the ball fluidly. Excellent linking play in the midfield from Kirsty Sharkey, Leia MacKinnon and Nicola Laing provided an excellent platform to build a consistent attack on the visitors’ circle.
With 90 per cent of possession, the breakthrough came from the tireless efforts of Sara Robson, who played a clinical pass through the defence to find sister Ashley, who slotted the ball home at the near post.
Reivers continued to dominate, tracking back as a unit and blocking any passes from the opposition.
Iona Cruickshank proved to be in formidable form in right defence, ever-present on her player, and channelling and tackling to break down any breaks from Inverleith.
A slick passing move from Jade Tyerman at central defender found Sara Robson, who slipped her defender, laying the ball right for Sharkey to slot past the keeper.
Reivers held their shape and form in the second half and more goals were to follow.
MacKinnon, who is quickly becoming a regular on the senior hockey circuit, scored an outstanding reverse-stick goal from the top circle.
Sharkey, Laing and Tyerman continued to find spaces on the pitch for the Robson sisters to play strong, flowing hockey.
Ashley Robson scored a further two goals to complete her hat-trick.
She was ever the leader, and newly-appointed seconds coach Pippa Bell was delighted with the result, complimenting the team on their overall workrate and composure on the pitch, which proved to be outstanding.
Fjordhus Reivers II: A.Robson, S. Robson, G. Bradley, I. Cruikshank, J. Tyreman, L. Walker, A. Knox, N. Laing, K. Sharkey, L. Mackinnon, R. Patterson, H. McHugh, F. Hamilton.
A TRIO of Borders pool players made their way to Blackpool to represent Scotland for the first time in the European Eight Ball Pool Championships.
Scott Bowers and Scott Simpson were joined by Edinburgh-based Ian McCombe at the event, held in the Puma Imperial Hotel, where all the Scottish teams performed well against some brilliant squads, with various European and world champions taking part.
In the team matches, Simpson started well then struggled in a few tricky games, but still blew away a few top players late on.
McCombe had a dodgy start then hit a purple patch with some good wins, recording a fine average, and Bowers played his usual grinding win-at-all-costs game, although luck deserted him on various occasions.
In the singles, McCombe played his best game, but was slightly outclassed when going down to ex-world champion and eventual winner Keith Brewer. Simpson went early as well to top Englishman Jordan O’Connor in a nip-and-tuck affair with a somewhat lucky final frame decider going against him, while Bowers went down in the last 32 in an almost three-hour marathon final-frame thriller to old foe Englishman Ian Turner.
All three had tricky draws, but performed with great credit and are now looking forward to the Worlds in June.
This week, it was back to League Cup on the domestic side with a few meaningless games, as three of four groups were already decided. The remaining group awaits a head-to-head with both Station and Reivers B recording good wins and still to play each other.
Results: Station (Hawick) 9 Bridge B (Gala); Reivers B (Gala) 8 High Level B (Hawick) 1; Ship A (Melrose) 5 Ship B (Melrose) 4; Frankie’s (Hawick) 2 Fleece (Selkirk) 7; Niki’s Bar (Gala) 2 Waverley A (Hawick) 7; Red Lion (Kelso) 5 Bridge A (4).
Borders Fjordhus Reivers I 1
Glasgow High Kelvinside 4
NATIONAL LADIES’ FIRST DIVISION
REIVERS I welcomed the Glasgow side that are currently top of the division to Tweedbank on Saturday.
On a beautiful, but very cold, day for hockey it was the visitors who struck the first blow on four minutes. A sweeping move saw Reivers’ midfield at sixes and sevens and unable to block the route towards goal. A simple shot slipped in to the net.
Unable to gain or hold onto possession, Reivers were frequently left exposed at the back and, on 17 minutes, the visitors scored their second goal from some slick play.
Unfortunately, Reivers’ formation and zones had gaping holes and the attacking set plays of GHK penetrated frequently through the lines. It was only through some last-ditch defending by Janet Jack, Emily Newlands, Claire Townsend and Denise Fairbairn that the home team managed to keep the score at 0-2 until half-time.
After receiving some stern words from coach Jack, Reivers started the better of the two teams after the break, trying hard to create chances and gain any sort of possession. Things continued to work against them, however, and after a period of pressure on the visitors’ goal it was the Reivers who lost out as GHK countered and added a third at the opposite end.
Now in a confident mood, GHK played some fantastic hockey, although it seemed to the supporters that Reivers made them look good. Soon after, the Glasgow side scored what could be the goal of the season, starting from defence and after three passes ending in the back of the goal past a dejected Stacey Tennant.
With time running out, Jack moved into midfield to try and create opportunities further up the pitch and released an aerial ball to Martha Douglas, who slipped to Elena Lunn, who coolly struck the ball past the visiting keeper to score a consolation goal.
Fjordhus Reivers I: S. Tennant, J. Jack, E. Newlands, C. Townsend, D. Fairbairn, J. Wilson, P. Bell, K. Millar, E. Lunn, M. Douglas, L. Inglis, L. McLean, Z. Higgins and S. Mathers.
DENHOLM Primary School girls’ netball team has taken home another trophy with their second consecutive win at the Border Primary Schools Netball Finals held last Thursday at the Queen’s Leisure Centre in Galashiels.
The event was the culmination of five area competitions which saw the two winning teams from each brought together to play for the overall title.
The sides were split into two pools of five with the winners of one playing the runners-up of the other in two tense semi-finals.
Denholm was pitted against Parkside (Jedburgh) and Chirnside faced Kingsland, with Denholm and Kingsland progressing to the final where the former proved too strong for their Peeblesshire opponents.
Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Borders Sport and Leisure, said: “This was a brilliant event and the standard of competition was really high. On behalf of our Active Schools Team, I’d like to express our thanks to all the PE teachers, school staff and parents for their great work in preparing the pupils for the competition.”
Denholm are proving hard to beat on the netball circuit, having lifted the Small Schools title for the last two years.
THIS year’s Tour o’ the Borders is on course to sell-out all 1,000 spaces.
In just its second year, the event is now only a few spots away from reaching its maximum capacity – making it one of the largest sportives in the UK this year.
The 2012 tour saw 300 riders take in more than 100km of beautiful Borders countryside, and this year’s entrants will have the option to choose between two different routes – 112km or 80km.
Both events start and finish in Peebles, following the quiet back roads, tough climbs and sweeping descents across three beautiful valleys.
Neil Dalgleish, co-director of the tour, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that so many people want to take part in this year’s event. We have decided to cap the entry list at 1,000 riders to ensure participants get the best possible experience.
“For the first time this year we are also hosting the shorter route, which will offer a slightly less challenging ride for those who want to take things a bit easier.
“This means the Tour o’ the Borders should be a great day out for everyone, from the seriously fast club riders right through to those people who just love riding their bikes, and looking for a new challenge.”
There are now just a few spots remaining – entries will close tomorrow unless the maximum capacity of 1,000 entrants is reached first.
Visit www.tourotheborders.com
BORDERS snooker players took a break from league business last week to play the fourth and final round of pool matches in the Jean Yule Cup.
Hawick Conservative Club topped Group One, while St Boswells lead the way in Group Two. In the semi-finals on March 14, they play alternate group runners-up Hawick Burns Club A and Innerleithen respectively.
The Plate semi-finals, to be played on the same date, are Jedburgh Legion v Selkirk A and Border Club v Hawick Burns Club B.
Results: Hawick Conservative Club A 5 Hawick Burns Club B 1; Innerleithen 4 Jedburgh Legion 2; Border Club 6 Hawick Con B 0; St Boswells 4 Selkirk A 2. Selkirk B and Hawick Burns Club A had a free week.
Final standings after the pool stage – Group One: 1, Hawick Conservative Club 12; 2, Innerleithen 7; 3, Hawick Burns Club B 4; 4=, Hawick Burns Club B, Jed Legion 4; 5, Selkirk B 1.
Group Two: 1, St Boswells 10; 2, Hawick Burns Club A 7; 3, Border Club 5; 4, Selkirk A 3; 5, Hawick Conservative Club B 1.
RACING returns to the Borders track on Saturday, when the feature race of another exciting Kelso card is the prestigious Totepool Premier Hurdle, writes Hilary Mactaggart.
Gates open at noon, with the first race of a quality field off at 1.55pm.
The Totepool.com Premier Kelso Hurdle is a Class 1 Grade 2 Novice Hurdle with a total prize fund of £30,000.
The feature race – in its 12th year under the Tote banner - has previously produced some high-class winners, including Tap Night, Bold Sir Brian and Knockara Beau.
Last year, Tap Night, trained by Lucinda Russell, beat the Nicky Henderson-trained Captain Conan – both horses now leading novice chasers. Captain Conan won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novice Chase and the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novice Chase en route to the Cheltenham Festival.
This year’s renewal of the Grade 2 totepool Premier hurdle, off at 3.40pm, sees Nicky Richards with a strong hand.
His two smart Aintree-bound hurdlers Eduard and Duke Of Navan are exciting prospects, and Duke of Navan bids to follow up an impressive win in the BetVictor Morebattle Hurdle. A cracking entry also includes Valco De Touzaine (Paul Nicholls), Ubaldo Des Menhies (Oliver Sherwood), Brick Red (Venetia Williams) and Lord Wishes, described by Langholm-based James Ewart as the best horse he has ever trained.
On a BHA mark of 155, Lucinda Russell’s talented chaser Bold Sir Brian is the top-rated horse in the totepool Premier Chase at 4.15pm.
Kim Bailey’s Harry Topper is an interesting contender as he bids to extend his unbeaten record over fences to four. Donald McCain’s 2011 Grand National hero Ballabriggs, who finished fourth last year, is expected to make his third consecutive appearance in the contest.
Eddie Melville, chairman of Kingdom Taverns, is a new sponsor to Kelso and has a chance of landing the big race with the Nicky Richards-trained Eduard in the Premier Hurdle.
Kingdom Taverns sponsors the 2m 6½ furlong Handicap Hurdle. Alistair Findlay has already been booked for the ride on Jane Walton’s Northumberland raider and likely-top-weight Master Murphy.
Recent Newcastle winner Grey Area could bid to follow up a first training success under Rules for Cumbrian milkman and Northern Area point-to-point champion Tristan Davidson.
The Alexander family has a long association with Kelso Racecourse, with the £10,000 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices Chase run in memory of the late businessman and farmer.
Gris Lord, trained in Ireland by Roy Wilson, was fourth to impressive Tap Night at Ayr recently. King Kalium, a well-backed winner of a handicap hurdle at Ayr’s New Year meeting, could make his debut over fences for Hawick trainer Donald Whillans.
The opening novice hurdle race, at 1.55pm, is sponsored by local Kelso joiner Terry Frame.
There are 36 entries, including Patrick Griffin’s Irish raider Maggio. Lucinda Russell has pencilled in four possibles, including Rymers Stone owned by Melrose businessman and Kelso Racecourse director Geoff Adam.
The Rutherford Handicap Chase is run for the Hamilton Memorial Trophy, one of Kelso’s most sought after prizes, won last year by the Bruce Mactaggart-trained Red Tanber.
Kayfton Pete could be a rare Kelso runner for Cheltenham trainer Fergal O’Brien. Nearer to home, Selkirk’s Stuart Coltherd is double-handed with Surprise Vendor and Overlaw, who was pipped by a short head at Sedgefield recently.
A competitive hunter chase, sponsored by the Country Gentleman’s Association who also support the Foxhunters at Cheltenham, concludes the card.
Rory Stormonth-Darling is travelling up from Warminister to make the presentations to winning connections.
Harmony Brig bids to go one better for Vikki Dobbin, having been second in this race 12 months ago. Red Kingdom could be a first runner under rules for Penrith-based Emma Sayer, who also rides the nine-year-old.
KAREN LYNN celebrated a poignant victory at Kelso’s Friars Haugh track on Sunday when Pas de Baratin posted a comfortable success in the opening members’ race.
Jedburgh-based Karen is the granddaughter of renowned point-to-point trainer Gus Minto, whose ashes are scattered in the winner’s enclosure at his local course.
“This one is for him,” said an emotional Karen after the grey’s 20-length victory in the Storage Xpress and Border Berries-sponsored opener.
Pas De Baratin – bought at Doncaster Sales out of Tom George’s yard – carries the colours of the trainer’s husband, Kenny, and was ably ridden to success by Jedburgh jockey Callum Bewley.
“Tactics are the big thing with him,” explained Lynn, adding: “He pulled too much last year and had not enough left at the end of his races. We may run him at Overton next time, as he likes a sharp track.”
In-form Hawick jockey Jamie Hamilton finished runner-up, riding Waterford for his mother, Wendy. They finished just a short head in front of Beverley Beck, ridden by Joanna Walton and trained at Bonchester Bridge by her mother, Diana, for Northumberland sheep farmer Barry Wharf.
En-route to a victorious double, reigning Northern Area ladies’ point-to-point champion Catherine Walton celebrated her 50th career win.
The Northumberland jockey’s half-century came aboard Kildonnan in a closely-contested Brewin Dolphin ladies’ open race. The 14-year-old, owned by Middleham vet Neil Mechie, scored by half-a-length over Val Jackson and Cast Iron Casey, with Joanna Walton again back in the frame, on Temple Green.
Neil acquired the Jim Old-trained gelding, while working at York Equine Hospital, after he broke a pedal bone at Wetherby.
Walton’s second success came in a thrilling conclusion to the Yvette Jelfs Hats Jockey Club PPORA Club members’ mares maiden race.
Riding the home-bred Retrace Your Steps, trained by her step-father Jimmy, Walton got up by half-a-length to defeat Emma Dunkley and Polobury. The runner-up is trained at Galashiels by 2010 Braw Lass Katie Scott, who was recently sidelined after fracturing a vertebra in a fall from a horse.
Just a further half-length separated third-placed Commeonskinnylove, ridden by Hawick jockey Blair Campbell.
Reece Morgan Murphy, 21, and Galant Nuit recorded a hat-trick when landing the Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club members’ race for novice riders. Paul Collins finished half-a-length behind on Ngong Hills, with Tom Hamilton from Hawick riding the third-placed Silk and Roses, owned and trained by his mother, Wendy.
Cleveland-based Collins went one better in the concluding Billy Stenhouse Memorial-sponsored maiden race with his six-year-old Irish find Rich Man’s World.
Another successful southern raider was the Middleton-qualified Battle Range, one of two pointers trained by Cherry Coward for Yorkshire owner Richard Morris.
The six-year-old landed the David Merry restricted race in the hands of the trainer’s daughter, Jacqueline.
“Although I come fishing to Kelso almost every month, this is my first trip to Friars Haugh,” admitted Morris.
Jamie Hamilton rode the Katie Scott-trained favourite Moscow Menace to finish runner-up, with Callum Bewley taking third on Safari Dancer for Kenny and Karen Lynn.
An eight-hour journey from Denbigh in North Wales proved fruitful for Welsh trainer Ray Owen, who saddled Croan Rock to win the Bonhams men’s open race.
In the closest margin of the day, the eight-year-old got up by a head to defeat Cool Star and Andrew Richardson at the post.
Tom Hamilton was back in the frame when finishing third on Go West.
Point-to-point racing returns to Friars Haugh on March 16 for the Duke of Buccleuch’s fixture.
RESULTS: Members – PAS DE BARATIN (C. Bewley) 2-1; 2, Waterford (J. Hamilton) 5-2; 3, Beverley Beck (Miss J. Walton) 8-1. Six ran. 20l; sh hd. Kenneth Lynn, Jedforest (Mrs Karen Lynn).
PPORA Novice riders – GALANT NUIT (R. Morgan Murphy) 4-7; 2, Ngong Hills (P. Collins 5-1); 3, Via Archimede (Miss R. McDonald) 10-1. Seven ran 1/2l; 2l. Ferdy Murphy, West of Yore (Rees Morgan Murphy).
Ladies’ Open – KILDONNAN (Miss C. Walton) 6-1; 2, Cast Iron Casey (Mrs V. Jackson) 9-2; 3, Temple Green (Miss J. Walton) 7-2. Five ran. 1/2l; 2l. N. Mechie, West of Yore.
Men’s Open – CROAN ROCK (N. Slatter) 4-5 fav; 2, Cool Star (A. Richardson) 2-1; 3, Go West (T. Hamilton) 11-1. Five ran. Hd; dist. The Clwydian Rockers Partnership, Flint & Denbigh. (Ray Owen).
Restricted – BATTLE RANGE (Miss J. Coward) 2-1; 2, Moscow Menace (J. Hamilton) 6-4 fav; 3, Safari Dancer (C. Bewley) 20-1. Eight ran. 1 1/2l; 10l. Mrs C. Coward and R. Morris, Middleton (C. Coward).
Mares’ maiden – RETRACE YOUR STEPS (Miss C. Walton) 5-2 fav; 2, Polobury (Miss E. Dunkley) 7-1; 3, Comeonskinnylove (B. Campbell) 4-1. 11 ran. 1/2l; 1/2l. Messrs F. T. Walton, Border (J. Walton).
Sponsored maiden – RICH MAN’S WORLD (P. Collins) 8-1; 2, Red Myst (T. Davidson) 9-2; 3, Whispering Wild (C. Dawson) 12-1. Nine ran. 1/2l; 1/2l. P. Collins, Cleveland.
LESS than a fortnight to Cheltenham and our thoughts are really aimed at that, but, a horse that I follow religiously is expected to run in The Grimthorpe chase at Doncaster on Saturday.
CALGARY BAY is one of the finest looking chasers in the country will be allocated top weight and that will put most off, particularly when you look down the handicap and see progressive sorts like Court By Surprise and Night in Milan sitting right down there on and around the 10-0 mark.
That doesn’t bother me in the slightest as I remember going to Doncaster for last year’s SkyBet Chase run over course and distance just to cheer home ‘Calg’. He clocked a time some 20 seconds faster than the two mentioned above, both of whom also have C/D form on Good/Soft Going. I just hope he gets there as I can’t oppose him.
Over at Newbury I’m expecting the JP Mcmanus horse IF IN DOUBT to go in again in the Greatwood Hurdle. He beat Calgary Bay’s young stable companion the other day, a horse well regarded by connections called Viva Steve, and a repeat will see him go close.
For the Cheltenham festival itself I have been backing an outsider for the Gold cup at 33/1 called Cape Tribulation. He’s still available at 25/1 and I give him a massive e/w chance.
Selections
Saturday
Doncaster – Calgary Bay (in the Grimthorpe Chase)
Newbury – If In Doubt (in the Greatwood Hurdle)
Ante-Post
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Cape Tribulation (25/1)
AN earthquake has been recorded between St Mary’s Loch and Hawick.
The 1.8 magnitude quake took place at 10.10am yesterday morning alongside the Borthwick Water in Craik Forest, the British Geographical Survey reported.
It is not believed any properties were damaged.
A Borders-based seismologist said: “There are lots of small faults across Scotland and this quake will be the result of one of these moving.
“An earthquake of this size would result in a sensation such as the shaking of windows. It is a feeling similar to a large lorry passing passed your house. Often people do not realise there has been an earthquake.”
He added that magnitude two quakes had previously been recorded in Galashiels in the last 20 years.
A quake of 2.4 was measured in the Highlands in January but that is still well short of the largest for the UK of 6.1 off the east coast of England in 1931.
It is estimated that there are over 200 tremors which hit the UK every year.
a HEALTH centre in the Scottish Borders has been evacuated and fire, the police and ambulance crews are in attendance, writes Bob Burgess.
The complex is at Currie Road in the Centre of Galashiels and police are in dialogue with a man at the centre.
Little information is known what sparked the evacuation but the area has been sealed off.
Galashiels Health Centre is home to four GP practices and is adjacent to the town’s Tesco and Asda supermarkets.