LANGHOLM-trainer James Ewart opened his seasonal account at another well-supported Kelso meeting on November 20, when racegoers were treated to a hound show, ferret racing, falconry and fly fishing demonstrations as part of the track’s ever-popular countryside day.

Bishops Heir made a winning debut over hurdles to head the novices’ hurdle race in the hands of stable jockey Harry Haynes.

The four-year-old won a bumper on heavy ground at Newcastle last term and produced a real show of stamina to take the spoils in testing conditions.

The winner is held in high regard by his Dumfriesshire trainer.

“I think he’s a very, very good horse,” explained Ewart, “and he’s one of two in the yard who potentially could be top in the north at the very least.

Getting off the mark at the Borders track was a welcome boost for the Lagholm handler, who lost his good chaser Numero Un De Solzen earlier this term.

“Things haven’t gone our way so far,” he explained.

“Although several of our horses have run well, they haven’t had much luck, but hopefully we’ve turned the corner now,” he added.

That sentiment was borne out just the following afternoon at Haydock where Sa Suffit headed a valuable two-mile handicap chase.

The progressive gelding, who enjoyed a good novice campaign, secured an empathic victory for the Proud to Be Scottish Partnership.

The top weight is another highly thought of by his trainer, who never considered him quite right the previous term.

“There was nothing of him last year,” he explained. “He was all sinewy with no muscle.

“I think he has matured physically and mentally,” he added, “and what he wants is a really testing two miles.”

Ewart believes a change in diet has been one of the keys to the French-bred six-year-old’s progress, along with his regular companion, Blackie, the pony.

“He goes everywhere with him,” he added.

Ewart’s victory trail continued at his local Carlisle track on November 29 when he completed a double with Huka Lodge and Open de l’Isle.

Three mile chase victor Huka Lodge was making a victorious debut for the yard and, returning from a 186-day break, recorded his second course and distance success.

Back over hurdles, stablemate Open de l’Isle enjoyed a comfortable victory in the two-mile handicap hurdle race.

Runner-up to Bishops Heir at Kelso was 25-1 chance Carters Rest, another from Hawick handler Willie Amos’ in-form stable.

Garleton followed up his Hexham success to take the handicap chase for Berwick owner John Stephenson.

Trained in Yorkshire by Sue Smith, and her only runner of the afternoon, the gelding had been raised 7lbs for his Hexham victory, but found plenty when challenged at the last to secure his second win of the month.

“I sent two horses to Sue and Harvey last season and they’ve won eight races from 12 runs, and been placed on another three occasions,” explained the winning owner.

“I’m so lucky as my good run continues,” he added, “although we were disappointed Hexham was off earlier in the week.

“It was a £40,000 race, and conditions were ideal for him.”

Third was Flash Cummins from Peter Monteith’s Rosewell yard.

Winning pointer Mini Beck produced a sound effort to finish second in the opening maiden hurdle race.

The 10-year-old, trained at Greenlaw by Sandy Thomson, was having his first start since May.

The familiar colours of Haddington owners Ray and Anita Green were carried to third by Humbie, ridden by their son-in-law Timmy Murphy.

Waterski, trained at Milnathort by Jean McGregor, had been raised 5lbs for his win at the same track last time, and produced another good performance to finish second in the novices’ handicap chase, with Prosseco from Lucinda Russell’s Kinross yard in third.

Lucinda was unusually absent from Kelso, instead having made the long journey to Ascot where she saddled Go Silver Bullet to finish third in a valuable handicap chase.

Cassius had finished runner-up at Kelso last time out for Hawick handler Bruce Mactaggart, and again had to settle for the second slot in the two-mile handicap hurdle race.

The Anderson Green colours were back in the frame in the concluding handicap hurdle race, where the Pauline Robson-trained Locked Inthepocket finished second.

Selkirk permit-holder Rayson Nixon, who won the 2008 contest, saddled 25-1 chance Political Pendant to finish third.