Old-timers turn clock back at Kelso

Published on Tuesday 6 May 2008 23:35

FEW of us get quicker as we get older but when you're a long- distance chaser, speed is not always of the essence.

Thirteen-year-old Harlov has now reached the age where he should be a stroppy teenager but the Ray Green owned veteran was on his best behaviour at Kelso yesterday when landing his first victory for two years.

One final outing at Cartmel remains a possibility for the old man but retirement beckons sooner than later with a new career at the British Racing School awaiting him.

It turned out to be not a bad afternoon for the old fogies at the Borders track, with 11-year-old Sound Of Cheers also turning the clock back to land the selling chase.

Proceedings got off to a bad start for punters when 20-1 shot Lady Sambury lifted the opener and those intrepid souls who lumped on Flight Leader at 4-9 in the next will know better next time, Colin Tizzard's far travelled favourite proving no match for Palmers Peak.

The brothers Whillans fought out the finish to the novices' handicap hurdle, Alistair's Pay On coming through with a smooth run to collar Beau Largesse, while another runner-up spot awaited Donald Whillans when Stuart Coltherd's Tartan Snow got the better of Bollin Ruth in the last.