'Days like this make it special' - Go North Finals receive warm reception

Gerry McGladery was an easy figure to spot in the Musselburgh paddock. With his bright blue suit, the track's leading owner may stand out in a bustling enclosure but it is among the crowd he feels most at home.

"We've got 22 people here, we go to every meeting but today is just fantastic," McGladery said. "It gives the mid-range owners a chance to get good prize-money and have a bit of fun at the same time."

McGladery was one of many owners enjoying the Scottish sunshine for the opening meeting of the Racing Post Go North Weekend, which moves to Kelso on Saturday before concluding at Carlisle.

"It's nice to see so many friends in the north in the winner's enclosure. It's a small scene and we all know each other but big days like this make it special," he said.

The enthusiasm behind the Go North Series was expressed by both trainers and owners, with four £30,000 finals on offer on Friday's card.

"It's fantastic," trainer Mike Smith said. "It's a great thing to give the northern trainers half a chance to win some good money, rather than having to go south all the time."

McGladery's yellow and blue silks were represented not just by his own runner Cuban Cigar, who he bought with the series in mind, but also with the Musselburgh Lunch Club, whose members include Fraser McClung, husband of Grand National-winning owner Belinda McClung.

"What does this weekend mean?" McGladery said. "I think you can see it. We're all from all sorts of backgrounds, but you look around and the scarves are there, the sun is shining and it's very special."

One proud scarf wearer was Jayne Sivills, owner of popular hurdler Lady Buttons, and she was on hand to present the prize for the race named after her star mare.

"It's so nice to have a race named after her and know she was appreciated," Sivills said. "This race can give a big win for an owner the way Lady Buttons did for us. We never thought at our level she would take us to the places she did.

"I rode Lady Buttons myself the other day. I hadn't ridden in two years, but compared to what I'm used to she was like a Rolls-Royce."

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