Mensio scraps to Kelso honours

Lenny Lungo’s decision to put first-time blinkers on Mensio worked the oracle as the 20-1 chance gained his first success at the fifth attempt in the Border Driveways “National Hunt” Handicap Hurdle at Kelso.

Wilson Renwick’s mount made most of the running – but it was a desperately close call in the end.

Clear turning into the straight, Mensio only just held the late challenge of the gambled-on Doris’s Gift by a head.

Lungo said: “Mensio is out of a Roselier mare so the trip and everything else was right for him – the big difference to him finding some form was the blinkers.

“Wilson said after Carlisle that the horse was frightened and nervous of the other horses and would not have a cut at his hurdles.

“This was his last chance. If he did not run well he was going to go this week to be (owner) Ronnie Bartlett’s hunter.”