Along the road to Kelso, Thursday - 4 runners

The advance going is heavy - there's an early inspection in the morning - and that's not really going to suit out first runner, Nights In Venice in the 12.28, a handicap hurdle (0-125) over an extended 2m 6f.
On seasonal debut he was prominent for a good deal of the way but dropped away tamely over the last two. We hope he'll come on for that run but in all honesty he'll have to in order to make an impression in this quite competitive race. One of his opponents today actually won that race - Charm Offensive - and she heads the market here, but Lissen To The Lady can't be discounted as she seeks her 4th C&D victory. Lucinda's Inis Oirr steps into handicap company after just two placed efforts in novice hurdles, and is an interesting runner.
Danny McMenamin rides in the stables' colours.

Craig Nichol comes in for the ride on hurdling debutant Ellistrin Star in the novice hurdle at 2.13, a race also over 2m 6½f. She's a lovely well-bred filly but her bumper form was modest and she'll face an uphill task here.
Best of luck to her owner-breeders Ron & Eileen Smith.

Our day is rounded off in the following race, a 2m novice hurdle in which we run both Gie It Laldy (Conor O'Farrell), jumping for the first time and Cowboy Cooper (Craig Nichol) who is having his 3rd race in a hurdle.
The race looks to be dominated by the 3 form horses, Lucinda's Traprain Law, Kinneston Nick's Fortescue Wood and the locally trained Carcaci Castle.

Our two will start as outsiders but we're looking for nice runs from them all the same, and hope Simon & Angela Gillie enjoy the afternoon.

Ellistrin Star leads Nights In Venice and a couple of stable mates in an early Autumn gallop