Borders jockey finishes runner-up in Scottish National
Last updated 22nd Apr 2023
Borders jockey Sam Coltherd has finished runner-up in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
The 24-year-old was aboard 25-1 shot Cooper's Cross, which is trained by his dad Stuart, at their home near Selkirk.
Despite being ranked 14th out of the 18 horses to start the race, he ran joint favourite Kitty's Light - who finished runner-up last year - close.
A spokesperson for Coltherd Racing said: "What a run from Cooper to come from the back and finish 2nd in the Scottish National at Ayr, especially after falling a week ago in the Topham at Aintree. Some ride from Sam - cool as a cucumber 😎💪🏻
"Congratulations to his owners Jimmy Fyffe and Scott Townshend."
Animal rights activists had tried to disrupt the race - with around 25 protesters attempting to attach themselves to jumps and gates - but were unsuccessful.
It comes just a week after Animal Rising delayed the start of the Grand National at Aintree.
Lucinda Russell, whose horse Corach Rambler won there, was unable to claim a double with joint favourite Your Own Story this time around.
Both were at the race meeting in Kelso on Monday, as part of the track's bicentenary celebrations.
Managing director Jonathan Garratt (pictured below) hailed it as "a big day" for the track.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: "It's not every day that you have a 200th birthday party; we've been celebrating all season long.
"I think it's nice that, after 200 years, the racecourse has got a day like this with a Grand National winner, and the Princess Royal with us; and a really nice, jolly crowd.
"Everybody's here having a good time and it's what racing at Kelso was born to be."
The original grandstand, which was commissioned by the fifth Duke of Roxburghe, is still used today - although it was targeted unsuccessfully by a group of Suffragette arsonists in 1913.
The foundation stone was laid on July 12th, 1822, and the surrounding land drained in order to accommodate the racing surface for the first purpose-built track in Scotland.
The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque in the winner's enclosure to mark the milestone before racing got underway this week.
READ MORE: Borders towns unveil Principals ahead of summer of festivities
Mr Garratt said: "We've got plans to build a new building here at the racecourse, which is our bicentennial project. It will be a new weighing room facility for the jockeys, and officials.
"It's going to take a little while for us to complete that project, but it will be a wonderful addition.
"It will also enable us to refurbish the very special building behind me which is the original grandstand that was built 200 years ago. We will be allowed then to let the public into that and enjoy it even more."
Click on the link below to view our video as Kelso was given the Royal seal of approval...
Kelso's final meeting of the season is Ladies Day on Sunday, May 28th.
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