Premier can reign supreme at Kelso

Premier Sagas can run a big race in the Monteith Memorial Champion Chase on Borders National day at Kelso tomorrow.

Nicky Richards has a couple in this extended two-mile-six-furlong event, including the smart Skippers Brig, but preference is for the David Wesley Yates-owned seven-year-old, who sports the same colours as the ever-popular Monet’s Garden. The selection progressed nicely as a novice last season, and was thought good enough to run at Cheltenham in the Centenary Novices’ Handicap in March, where he was never really going after an early mistake and was pulled up. However, with two Kelso victories to his name he clearly knows his way around here.

Richard Fahey’s Our Joe Mac should be followed in the Happy Birthday Berwick Speedway’s Julie Newton Novices’ Hurdle. The four-year-old gelding could well be up to Cheltenham Festival class if he builds on his impressive National Hunt debut at Haydock a fortnight ago.