Reverly run continues
In-form trainer Keith Reveley bagged a one-two with Brave Rebellion and Truckers Lady in the feature John Smith’s No Nonsense Novices’ Chase at Kelso.
The Saltburn handler has experienced an eventful weekend, with an injury to his son James tempered by a Grade Two success at Doncaster on Saturday
Reveley junior broke a collar-bone, while on the same card Tazbar, rated “the best horse” in the stable, landed the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle as he gave Phil Kinsella his first winner since losing his claim.
And it was Kinsella who had the ride on Brave Rebellion (4-1), although at the final fence it looked as if the winner would come from Truckers Lady and Double Default.
But Kinsella brought Brave Rebellion with a sustained run on the far rail to get in front and forge five lengths clear and lift the £10,734.90 first prize.
Truckers Lady (13-2) picked up £3,151.50 for taking the runner-up spot and a delighted Reveley said: “Our horses are running well and hopefully it will keep that way.
“I didn’t think Brave Rebellion would handle that ground, he is a good ground horse, but Phil rode a good race and it suited him coming off the pace.
“Truckers Lady ran a cracking race too, she jumped and stayed well.”
Thirty-five minutes later there was good money for Reveley’s Tees Components (5-2 to 6-4) in the Radio Borders 18th Birthday Mares’ Only “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle but he looked beaten when falling three out.
The honours went to 11-2 chance Rosie All Over, who completed a double for Donald McCain initiated by Dickie Lewis in the opening Andersons Butchers North Berwick Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
Rosie All Over was the first winner Jason Maguire has ridden for McCain since he took over as stable jockey, while the team’s conditional Paul Benson was gaining his seventh success of the campaign on Dickie Lewis (8-1).
Benson said: “I have had a bit of a quiet spell recently so hopefully I will get a good run going again. Dickie Lewis likes the heavy ground and stays forever.”
Tartan Snow (7-2) has been knocking on the door recently and deservedly got his head in front where it mattered under a good ride from Graham Lee in the tartanturftours.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.
Stuart Coltherd, who was saddling his first winner for eight months and has a team of 10, said: “I have not had that many runners, it is just that the ground hasn’t been right for our horses.
“I thought Tartan Snow would run well, I was a bit worried the race might have come a bit soon for him after Newcastle (11 days ago) but he came back home bucking and kicking so we took a chance.
“He looked beaten a long way out but showed a lot of grit in the closing stages.”
Lee completed a 931/2-1 double when Chris Thornton’s 20-1 chance Florentino floored the rather reluctant odds-on favourite Smugglers Bay in the John Smith’s Novices’ Hurdle.
The trainer said: “That was a bit of a surprise, but she is a full-sister to Flossy who won over £100,000 in prize money for us. She disappointed on the Flat so we tried her over hurdles and she jumped well from the start and has improved with every race.”
David O’Meara was suspended for one day (February 7) for using his whip with excessive frequency on Smugglers Bay.
Sandy Forster’s patience in nursing Skenfrith back to fitness was rewarded when he ran out a very game winner under Neil Mulholland in the three-and-a-half-mile Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Chase, digging deep to get back on top after it looked as if Ryminster had taken his measure.
Forster said: “He suffered a very serious hock injury at this time last year and he was bandaged up for two and a half months. Fortunately he was a good patient and the vet did a fantastic job.”
Knockara Beau (9-1) won the bumper in good style under Jan Faltejsek and looks another useful individual for trainer George Charlton, whose father Alistair said: “We knew he was good but did not know how he would handle this ground. I bought him as a foal.”
