Wheelbahri signs off a super 2022 with sixth win of the year for Coltherd

Thursday: Kelso

Wheelbahri rounded off the year in style as he kept a determined southern raider at bay to notch his sixth success of 2022.

The eight-year-old, trained by Stuart Coltherd, followed up last month's course success with a gutsy front-running display to hold off the favourite Jetoile by a length in the 2m1f handicap chase.

Wheelbahri is owned by the Coltherd Racing Club, whose representative Martin Scott said: "He was bred by Stuart and has done us proud. That was his sixth win from his last eight outings and he's still improving.

"He had a bad fall at Carlisle two years ago and it has taken him time to get over that but he's absolutely thriving now. We're trying to take it slowly with him but there’s plenty to look forward to."

The most valuable prize of the day did go to a southern stable as the well-backed Bill Baxter was driven ahead on the run-in by James Bowen to defeat Old Painless in the 2m6f novice handicap chase.

"This horse has not looked back since having a wind op," said trainer Warren Greatrex's assistant Oliver Kozak. "He jumps and travels well and there's still plenty to come."

Bill Baxter: won again at KelsoCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Legislator lays down the law

Lucinda Russell has an exciting bunch of young horses, including De Legislator who underlined his promise when outpointing odds-on shot Imperial Merlin in the 2m6½f novice hurdle.

De Legislator had already shown plenty of potential in Ireland when defeating Snake Roll, who has also joined Russell, in a point-to-point.

Snake Roll was an impressive winner at Newcastle on Boxing Day and Russell said: "We've plenty to look forward to with these two.

"De Legislator loves jumping and Scu was cursing this morning when he heard there would be fewer hurdles to jump."

Worthwhile trip

Gearoid Harney's decision to undertake a ten-hour drive to the Scottish Borders paid off as he got Rath An Iuir home by a head from Glittering Love in the 3m2f amateur jockeys' handicap chase.

Harney, 21, is based with Syd Hosie in Dorset and said: "I drove myself and picked up a few people on the way. My agent put me in for the ride. It’s my first visit here and it was well worth it."

Rath An Iuir was profiting from a lenient handicap mark, having failed to visit the winner’s enclosure for more than two years.

Trainer Rose Dobbin’s husband Tony said: "We've always thought he was a good horse but he had a bad accident a couple of years ago and broke his foot. He was in hospital for a long time and it's taken him a while to get over it."

Pleasant surprise

Carcaci Castle set his trainer Sandy Thomson a poser after easily taking care of Traprain Law in the 2m novice hurdle.

"I certainly wasn't expecting to give a stone to Traprain Law and win like that," said Thomson. "I was hoping to get a handicap mark for him but we might have to look for a better class novice now and it's going to be difficult to find anything suitable in the north."

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