Racing: Alexander on form with Kelso double

By GORDON BROWN
Published on 08/10/2012 00:00

LUCY Alexander was the jockey to follow at Kelso’s opening meeting of the autumn as she rode a 29-1 double in the last two races on Or De Grugy and Caledonia.

Or De Grugy, formerly with Sue Bradburne but now trained by her father Nick, recorded his fifth course success in the Fleet Bar Eyemouth Handicap Chase, while newcomer Caledonia took the City Roofing Ltd Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race for Jim Goldie.

Miss Alexander said: “I think that’s the fourth double of my career and things are going well for me as the season starts to get busy.”

The first race over the new lay out over fences produced a thriller as Lively Baron landed the Betfair Boosts Prize Money At Kelso Handicap Chase for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire. There was only a nose between the winner and runner-up Solway Bay, while You Know Yourself was a short-head back in third.

Maguire had earlier initiated a double when John Quinn-trained Red Tyke won in the Betfair Commits £40 Million To British Racing Juvenile Hurdle.

In Ireland meanwhile, Edward Harty’s veteran Captain Cee Bee sprang a minor surprise in the Friends Of Tipperary Hurdle.

Sent off at 9-1, the JP McManus-owned 11-year-old lowered the colours of the odds-on favourite Rebel Fitz. Everything appeared to be going smoothly for the favourite with Davy Russell sat motionless two from home, tracking Captain Cee Bee. But Michael Winters’ Galway Hurdle winner weakened rapidly, allowing Captain Cee Bee and Mark Walsh to come home 11 length to the good. “I wasn’t surprised. The horse has never got the credit he deserves for how good he is,” said Harty.