Witch crafts fairytale win for Crow

Andrew Crow trains just five miles away from Kelso racecourse and he realised an ambition when Witch Wind ran out a game winner of the Eric Gillie 60th Birthday Novices’ Handicap Hurdle in the hands of amateur Mark Ellwood.

Witch Wind and Stagecoach Opal had the race between them from four out with the former getting on top at the final flight.

Keeping on dourly up the hill, the 6-1 shot passed the post with five lengths to spare with the third horse Super Revo a further 29 lengths adrift.

Witch Wind had finished a good third at Ayr on Wednesday and Crow explained: “We were taking a chance bringing him out again so soon you never really know what a race takes out of them, but he felt so well so here we are.

“He needs further (than two and three-quarter miles) really but he loves this ground, and it is great to saddle my first winner here.

“I have had plenty of seconds and thirds both as a jockey and a trainer.”