FOR the first time ever Kelso Racecourse stages a Twilight meeting on Wednesday 17th September with gates opening at 2pm and the first race at 4.05pm and the last race at 7.05pm. This is a new innovation and it is hoped that it will allow more people to attend than if it had been a standard afternoon fixture.

The Racecourse Executive have brought together two Borderers, both from Hawick, that are Champions in their own right.

Keith Dalgleish from Hawick, who now trains from Carluke,  just south of Glasgow, last year broke the record for the largest number of winners ever trained on the flat, from a Scottish stable.  Richard Gilbert of Straightline Construction, who is such an enthusiastic supporter of Keith and indeed several other trainers in the area, has generously agreed to sponsor a race to acknowledge this amazing feat.  Straightline Construction operate a hugely successful building and development business from their base just North of Newcastle.  Richard Gilbert has been very instrumental in helping Keith get to his impressive target. Scotland's leading jumps trainer Lucinda Russell is looking at saddling a few runners on the card including Kumbeshwar in the feature chase and newcomer Ballybill in the concluding bumper.

Lucinda Russell set a new Scottish jumps record of 66 winners last season to eclipse Len Lungo's long-standing previous best from 2002-03 by three. She said: "It fantastic news that Kelso are getting the show on the road a wee bit earlier than normal. I'm sure they will be doing a great at job with the watering and we always love bring horses down. "Kumbeshwar will be having his first run for us and he was formerly with Alan King. He's a pretty good horse and has been placed in two Cheltenham Festivals and has form behind our own Tap Night.

Jason Hart also from Hawick, was crowned Champion Apprentice on the flat across the whole of the UK.  This is another amazing achievement for a young jockey based in Scotland.  It is thought this is the first time it has ever been achieved.  Jason was based with Keith Dalgleish and has relied on him for a considerable number of his winners but has also ridden for a lot of outside stables.  He has been hugely supported by Lamont Racing who sponsor him and is the brainchild of Craig McClymont and he has generously stepped in to sponsor a race to acknowledge this achievement and it is very much hoped that Jason will be on hand to receive an award from the Racecourse.

World Horse Welfare, the well known International Charity are having a fund raising party to raise awareness of the tremendous work they do  to look after horses that are in difficulties in many different parts of the world.  Carole Mitchell and Snippet Innes work tirelessly for this very worthwhile cause and they have signed up an anonymous sponsor to provide the help with the prize money for their race.  There will be a Charity fun-run organised by them after racing, which will take place round the service track inside the Racecourse.

Straightline Construction have also sponsored the Maiden Hurdle and Richard Gilbert, proprietor of Straightline Construction is planning to have runners on the day and they are certain to be going all out to win back some of his generously donated prize money.

Head Groundsman, Brian Meikle reports the track is in great condition for the opening meeting, which promises to be a very exciting season for the Border track. “We have the best covering of grass I can remember and the irrigator is in action and we are confident of providing ideal summer jumping ground next Wednesday.

A group of Border farmers have clubbed together to sponsor a race to highlight the Referendum and the race is to be referred to as the “Last United Race, Yes/No Open Bumper” Lucinda Russell plans to introduce Ballybill in the bumper. He's by Presenting and his mother - as well as winning races herself - is from the family of the very smart hurdler Fortune And Fame."

Racing UK who promote and market Kelso’s Media rights to the Sky platform have generously sponsored the opening Race on the card under the title “Racing UK anywhere – Available Now Handicap Hurdle” and also the 2m Handicap Hurdle under the title “RacingUK Android App” Nicky Richards is entering One For Hocky in this two mile handicap hurdle.The Greystoke trainer said: "He's had quite a good summer and won nicely at Perth last month. This will be his first visit to Kelso since his novice days and we're looking forward to it. It's great that they're starting a bit earlier at Kelso this season as we need those extra jumps autumn days up here."