Kelso- Report 5th March 2022
CORMIER is chasing a £100,000 bonus at the Cheltenham after landing the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle on Kelso’s richest-ever card.
The six-figure jackpot will be scooped should the Brian Ellison-trained gelding follow up at the Festival in just under two weeks time.
After his 8-1 chance had seen off Saint D’oroux by a length and a half under Sean Quinlan, Ellison said: “I’ll have to speak to his owner Dan Gilbert as he’s also entered in the Coral Cup but I think we’ll be aiming for the County Hurdle.
“He’s a super little horse and operates on the Flat and over hurdles. We know Cheltenham isn’t a problem either as he won there last time.”
Nells Son was a first winner at the track for Irish based Sean O’Keeffe in the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle.
Winning trainer Nicky Richards said: “This is a very emotional success as his owners also bred him and they lost a horse at Musselburgh earlier this week.
“He’s ground dependent but I could see him maybe heading for the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr next month.”
The Greystoke handler was back in the winners’ enclosure 30 minutes later when 15-8 favourite Famous Bridge took a competitive 2m 5f handicap hurdle under Brian Hughes.
Richards added: “He carries the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings so he could end up in another handicap at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.”
The Listed Premier Chase saw Nuts Well, trained by Northumberland permit-holder Ann Hamilton, bounce back to form for a fourth course win at 18-1 to complete a double for Hughes.
And there was a poignant outcome to the Cyril Alexander Memorial Chase as it went to Dubai Days, trained by his son Nick.