Kelso back on cards for Selkirk punters after ‘rip-roaring’ disappointment
Bookmaker at "Scotbet", Selkirk, Andy Bennet with his "Bookmaker of the Year" award prsented to him at a ceremony in London on Monday 21st Nov.
BETTING shop manager of the year Andy Bennett admitted this week he was “absolutely gutted” that he and around 90 of his punters at Scotbet in Selkirk had been unable to enjoy a free day out at Kelso races.
But he revealed that, thanks to the generosity of management at the course, a special hospitality package was being re-arranged for a future meeting.
“We’ve kept the list of everyone who was due to go to the New Year meeting on January 15, and Richard Landale, the managing director of Kelso races, is keen to sort something out, possibly for one of the Saturday fixtures in March [3rd or 24th],” said Andy.
The invitation from Mr Landale for a free day out for Andy, his staff and punters at the Market Place shop, was tendered in December after Andy lifted the prestigious national award, sponsored by the Racing Post and SIS, at a glittering London ceremony.
“The original offer was for a group of 60 to get free transport and admission to the races and to watch the action from the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s box in the stand right at the winning post,” recalled Andy, who lives in Ettrick Terrace with partner Tracy and five-year-old son Kris.
“As it happens, within about a couple of days, we had 90 names of folk who wanted to go and Mr Landale kindly agreed that would be okay.”
But just two hours before the excited trippers were set to board two buses outside the shop at 10am, the announcement came that the meeting had been abandoned because of frost.
“We still had punters converging on the shop and these guys expected to be entertained,” said Andy. “So Scotbet, Racing Post and SIS kindly chipped in subs to kick-start a kitty and that prompted a rip-roaring day at O’Malleys.
“We stuck together a four-horse £75 charity bet with our customers each selecting one horse at the surviving meeting at Kempton.
“Not one of them came in. That’s Selkirk for you – really great people, really terrible punters!”
“Although a great day was enjoyed it was obviously not a patch on what might have been so it was great to hear from Richard that the day out will go ahead at a future meeting with a few minor details still to be ironed out,
“Speaking to him, you can tell why Kelso was voted Britain’s Friendliest Racecourse...judged by last Sunday’s performance in Selkirk, the goods news is his bar will appreciate having us.”
As part of his prize, Andy has been in London this week as a guest of the ICE Total Gaming Exhibition at Earls Court and, at the end of next month, he will be back in the capital again, presenting the prize at Wimbledon dog track of the prestigious Racing Post Juvenil Trophy.
Then on March 29, along with Tracy and Kris, he will head out for a four-day all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai to enjoy horseracing of the highest quality, including the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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