Kelso Racecourse & Betting Review: Favourite Events, Best Offers and Facts

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty bits, we’ll first give you a very brief rundown of what some of the better betting sites in the UK offer when it comes to betting on the different races at Kelso. We’ll start by first looking at some of the best welcome bonuses and payout prices on the market as well as some info relating to betting types and special promotions. Then, as we continue, we’ll share some historical information, some important facts and figures and some technical info relating to the course itself. Continue reading for our unabridged and honest guide for UK bettors.

The Turf Itself

Kelso Racecourse features two separate courses for hurdles and steeplechase events. Both courses are left-handed, mostly flat and sharp, however, the hurdles course is about a furlong shorter than it’s steeplechase counterpart. There had previously been a 2 furlong run in on both courses before changes were made in 2012. It was decided to move the final obstacle closer to the finish line, which has thus meant that not as much stamina is needed in the final stages as before. This has by no means made it an easy run out; the chase course is noticeably tricky with a few of the eight obstacles coming in quick succession, which has been known to cause runners problems in the past. The hurdles course is slightly easier, with larger distances between the obstacles, but still commands respect. Overall, both courses are considered to be a fair challenge for horse and rider.

Most Popular Kelso Racecourse Horse Racing Events

The most popular Kelso Racecourse horse racing event undoubtedly comes in late-February early-March, which is also when the Premier Kelso Hurdle is staged. This Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle event is the meeting’s feature race and was first run in 1990. It is run over a distance of about two miles and two furlongs and is reserved for horses aged four-years-old and above. The other prestigious race at this meeting is the Kelso Premier Chase, a Listed race of two miles and seven furlongs that has managed to attract a few world-class competitors.

Another popular event is the Morebattle Hurdle, a Conditions hurdle race reserved for horses aged four and above and also run over two miles and two furlongs. It is worth around £23,000, with about £17,000 going to the winner, just over £5000 to the second-place runner and just under £3000 to third-place.

Some Interesting Facts

Despite its somewhat remote location, the Kelso Racecourse horse racing track has managed to attract some top competitors to its turf over the years. In 2016 Many Clouds, an Irish-bred British-trained Gelding, won the 2016 Kelso Premier Chase as an eight-year-old. This memorable jumper was awarded the British Jump Racing Horse of the Year award in 2015 and also won the Hennessy Gold Cup, the Cotswold Chase and the Grand National in his career before a sudden, tragic death in 2017 shortly after winning his second Cotswold Chase Championship. He has a race named in his honour, the Many Clouds Chase, at Aintree.

Racecourse Information:
First Opened:	1822	Kelso Racecourse logo The Grandstand at Kelso Racecourse
Max. Race Distance:	2m 7f
Surface:	Turf
Event:	Kelso Premier Chase
Average Temperature:	2°/20°
Racecourse Capacity:	10000

Other memorable champions of Kelso include Simonsig, a British thoroughbred gelding that won eight of his thirteen races and is probably the most famous horse to have won the Morebattle Hurdle. He also claimed the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (2012), the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2012), the Noel Novices’ Chase (2012), the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (2012) and the Arkle Challenge Trophy (2013) in his stellar career. It has since been commented that his success led to increased interest in the race and the racecourse in general, which in turn contributed to Kelso Racecourse betting becoming such a popular market for UK betting sites, from all the sites we reviewed.

Kelso Racecourse: The Story so Far

Horse racing has been staged around Kelso for many centuries, with the first recorded race in the area first taking place at Caverton Edge in 1734. Early races were also staged at Blakelaw, however, in 1882 the venue found its current home at Berrymoss. It was previously called Duke’s Course. It only hosted flat racing in its early years, however, in 1888 the United Border Hunt was relocated to Kelso and thus National Hunt racing became more popular. Kelso horse racing betting would not really take off until the mid-twentieth century when the government loosened its grip on betting regulations and allowed tote betting to take place at the venue.

Nowadays, around thirteen different meeting are staged at the Kelso horse racing track throughout the year, with its most prestigious one falling at the end of February. Conditions can become extremely testing and there have been a number of postponed events over the years due to frost. Adding to this, the chase course has been known to cause a few casualties down the years. In spite of this, though, Kelso is still a venue of great social importance in the area and continues to attract leading trainers and stables to its turf during the jumping season.