ROBIN'S Command (4-1), the rising star of Rose Dobbin’s South Hazelrigg yard, captured the headlines with an impressive victory in the Straightline Construction Handicap Chase at Kelso’s twilight fixture last Wednesday.

Craig Nichol’s mount stormed clear from the second-last fence to clinch his third Kelso success by 8 lengths in front of an 1800-strong crowd on a glorious evening at the award-winning Borders track.

“I’ve ridden him to all his eight wins and that was his best display yet. Rose and Tony (Dobbin) deserve great credit. He is in the form of his life,” said the elated Hawick jockey.

Nichol (21) sealed an 18-1 brace on the deeply impressive Keith Dalgleish-trained debut winner Meet The Legend (11-4), owned by Straightline Construction Ltd, in the closing bumper.

Tim Vaughan’s Welsh raider Makethedifference (6-4 fav), ridden by Michael Byrne, captured the £15,000 Bruce Farms Supporting World Horse Welfare Handicap Hurdle, attracting over £6000 in major bets.

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott and top jockey Richard Johnson joined forces to strike with Romany Ryme (3-1) and Touch Of Steel, backed at 20-1 in the morning, was a 9-1 winner for James Ewart and the talented Dale Irving.

Waterclock (2-1) won the Barbara McLeod Maiden Hurdle, staged in memory of Kelso’s oldest member, who sadly died at the grand age of 103 this summer.

Kelso’s managing director Richard Landale said: “It’s been a tremendous start to the season and the jockeys’ charity team jumping challenge in the afternoon proved a great success.”