Kenny Johnson hoping King Golan can reign again at Kelso

1. Visor deployed to help track specialist

King Golan returns to the scene of his two wins and bids to reign supreme again in his biggest test yet at Kelso.

Twice a winner at the Borders track in October, the progressive eight-year-old has been narrowly denied twice at Musselburgh since returning this year, but his trainer Kenny Johnson has seen enough to give him a chance outside of novice company in the Hunter Reim Ltd Handicap Chase (3.40).

Johnson said: “He’s come out of his last run very well and we decided to go for this race because of the ground.

“He likes Kelso and he’s taking on a lot better horses, but he’s won his races well. He was only just beaten in his last two runs and on another day I think he’d have won both.

“Last time he was just beaten on the run-in when second over two and a half miles, which was probably not his ideal trip.

"Sean [Quinlan] knows him inside out, so we’re quite happy to take on good horses."

King Golan’s upward trajectory has coincided with Quinlan taking over in the saddle, with the jockey enjoying his best season yet with 52 winners.

Johnson added: "Sean is a good, confident, down-to-earth rider who suits the horse. He sat on him at the right time because this horse went for a five-year-old point-to-point in Ireland when he wasn't capable of winning. He's a big, lengthy horse and he's taken time to come to hand.

"Sean said he was beaten on the run-in last time because he couldn't see through the blinkers, so a visor is going to sort out that problem. It's just about trying to get the fractions right in a good race."

Recent Plumpton winner Another Venture, veteran Cultram Abbey and Midnight Shot are the chief dangers in the £14,000 contest.

2. Kittow: Equal needs to up his game

Windsor's year starts with a seven-race card and Devon trainer Stuart Kittow will be hoping to land the 6f handicap (4.20) with Beyond Equal.

The four-year-old was the star performer for Kittow last year, winning four times and climbing 20lb in the handicap in the process, and his trainer, seeking a first success in 2019, is hoping he can continue where he left off.

Beyond Equal (left) was a progressive sprinter last seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Kittow, who has a string of just over 20 for the new campaign, said: "It would nice if he can keep improving, he’s got to as he’s gone up another 5lb for his last win.

"He looked really good in the winter, he's grown and filled out a bit so hopefully he’ll show a bit more improvement. If he does we’ll have a bit more fun this year with him."

Richard Spencer, who watched new addition Outlander finish ninth in the Grand National on Saturday, turns his attention back to the Flat when saddling last-time-out winner Bernardo O'Reilly, while Equitation, fit from a spell on the all-weather, heads the market for the competitive 13-runner field.

3. Hannon counting on former superstar

Richard Hannon trained the precocious Ivawood to win the July Stakes and Richmond Stakes as a two-year-old and saddles his first runner from his former star’s first crop at Windsor.

Richard Hannon runs his first of Ivawood's progeny at WindsorCredit: Mark Cranham

In the colours of Middleham Park Racing, Lexington Quest will bid to get his sire's first win on the board but faces some speedily bred sorts (2.50), notably Chattanooga Boy for George Scott, who trained the second in the Brocklesby.

Another trainer showing form with his early two-year-old runners is Archie Watson. He has had two juvenile winners already and runs Exclusively for owners Qatar Racing at Redcar (2.00).

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