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GUNNER JACK: Looks one to beat in Mens Open
photo: Grace Beresford

The picturesque Friars Haugh course alongside the River Tweed at Kelso hosts the first Scottish action of the season on Sunday with 89 entries for the Jedforest's seven race card which starts at 12.30pm.

The opening Members Race has 12 entries and looks a competitive affair on paper with the list including previous Pointing winners Amour Daria, Bromley Bay, Buckstruther, One Black Cat, Pas de Baratin, Qollioure and Windy Hills, as well as Lewlaur Supreme, who landed a 3m Perth Handicap Hurdle last May.

The Dodson & Horrell PPORA Club Members Race for Novice Riders has 13 entries and my short list comprises Justwhateverulike, Master Sebastian and Rathowen. The former won six handicap chases for Sandy Forster's yard up to November 2009, ex-chaser Master Sebastian stayed on well when three lengths second to Sacred Mountain at Alnwick in December, while the latter, fourth in this race last year, ran well for a long way when fifth on his reappearance at Alnwick.

The 11 entries for the AGA Ladies Open Race are headed by the hat-trick seeking Sea Scout. His rivals include course winners Tiger Billy and Tynedale, along with the former 125-rated chaser, Cast Iron Casey.

Gunner Jack landed the Mens Open Race on his seasonal debut last year and looks the one to beat again this time. Glen Lord may need the run after being sidelined through injury in 2011, while Buckstruther and See You There also merit respect.

Saddlers Singer caught the eye when finishing a close third behind Stark Raven in the Restricted Race at last year's fixture and a repeat of that effort should see him go close in Sunday's renewal. Ed Cameron's yard is already off the mark with Supreme Plan scoring first time out at Alnwick in December. Others to note are last week's West Percy Maiden scorer Amulree and One Black Cat.

Yorkshire raider Cherry's Bay showed promise when placed in three of her five starts between the flags last season and looks to have found a winning opportunity in the Jockey Club PPORA Club Members Mares Maiden Race. The main dangers appear to be Chosen Keys and Miss Galross. The former was not beaten far when placed in three of her four pointing starts in Ireland in 2011, while the latter only weakened at the last when fourth of 11 in a Cartmel Novices hurdle in May.

The concluding Open Maiden Race has 22 entries and my quartet to follow is Georges Street, Honest And True, Seeking Straight and Sugar Sensation. The former shaped well in bumpers for Tom Taaffe before joining Lucinda Russell in October and is worth another chance after unseating at the first at Alnwick in December. Honest And True was not disgraced when fourth to The Rustlin Rhino on his hunt racing debut at Alnwick; Seeking Straight was placed in four of his 21 hurdles starts for Lucinda Russell, while Sugar Sensation finished third in four of his seven Pointing starts in Ireland in the last two years.

The course is alongside the A699, quarter of a mile west of Kelso. The post code for Sat Nav users is TD5 8LS.

Admission is £10 per person, including a racecard.

For going updates and meeting information, call Talking Point on 09068 44 60 61. For a list of entries via fax, call 09068 44 99 88. All calls cost 61p/min plus network extras.

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