Third runner this week as Tapenade goes in the Bumper at Kelso

Thurles Sunday, Sedgefield Monday and Kelso Tuesday. It's been a busy week for the Gordon Elliott Racing Club. Having family in the North East of England, I thought I knew the area quite well but didn't realise both Sedgefield and Kelso racecourses were only about an hour away from them. Not sure if Tapenade was at Sedgefield yesterday to see his stable mate but it sounds like they travelled over and back together.

This was only Tapenades second ever run and there was plenty of interest in Gordon Elliotts Irish Raider. Sporting Life fancied him for a place and 3 Furlongs Out had a piece on him too. Sean Bowen  had the ride and I was delighted to see him push her to the front. While there is no finer sight than a horse weaving it's way gradually through the field before being produced to win, I'm yet to see any of our horses being good enough to do that. Instead of wondering is the horse good enough to get to the front I was wondering was Tapenade good enough to stay there. He was for a long time in this 2m NHF race as they came down the back straight for the final time with the rail disappearing and the support cars looking like they were racing too they were spread out the width of the course before bunching up down the side of the course. It looked like Tapenade was starting to feel the effects of the front running but as they threatened to swallow him up  he kicked on again and retook the lead going into the home straight. That was as good as it got with the eventual winner Mam Trasna powering on followed in by Glenduff. Our boy had dropped back to fourth but looked like he might catch Fostered Phil and take back third but he finished just over length back.

It was another very promising performance from a club horse this week following Smiling Eliza on Sunday and Pats Oscar on Monday. Alex reported afterwards that Gordon and Sean were very happy with him. He'll be in another bumper before going over hurdles.