SINCE taking over sponsorship in 2010, the BetVictor Morebattle Hurdle has attracted some of the best Champion Hurdle contenders of recent times.
The Borders track has been graced by the presence of Triumph hurdle winner Zaynar, followed up by the great Peddlers Cross who came so gallantly close to defeating the brilliant Hurricane Fly in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. 2012 perhaps saw one of the best horses to run at Kelso in a long time when Simonsig used the Morebattle Hurdle as a prep before winning the Neptune Investments Novices hurdle at Cheltenham and following up with an equally convincing win in the Mersey Novices Hurdle at Aintree.
This year’s renewal will be no less exhilarating, with the prospect of the Nicky Henderson-trained Grandouet using the BetVictor Morebattle Hurdle on Thursday, February 14, as a preparatory run for the Champion Hurdle, along with runners from leading trainers Lucinda Russell and John Quinn.
With Romance in the air, Kelso Racecourse has teamed up with Scottish Racing to offer romantic racegoers a special deal if they fancy popping the question to a loved one at the Valentine’s Day meeting – the first to propose at the Border track on the day will receive two free badges to each of the five Scottish tracks for a meeting of their choice* in 2013.
The perfect horselover’s gift will also be up for raffle, thanks to an initiative by Philip Kirby Racing.
Kirby, one of the leading up and coming Northern trainers is raffling a one-year share in the racehorse Grey Command with all the proceeds of the raffle going to the Injured Jockeys Fund. Raffle tickets cost £1 and will be available at the course on the day and also via www.philipkirbyracing.co.uk
The winner will be drawn in the paddock at Kelso five minutes before the first race.
The course is also making a special advanced booking ticket offer of buy one paddock or members badges and get another one free when calling and quoting Romantic Raceday Offer.*
Anyone thinking about making this Valentine’s Day at Kelso Racecourse a memorable one should contact Louise Grey on 01668 280 800 for further information.
*Restrictions apply – please see www.kelso-races.co.uk for further details.