MINOUCHKA galloped into retirement with a victory at her local Kelso track on May 5.

The 10-year-old has been a loyal servant to the Hawick-based Shirley-Beavan family, winning four races under Rules and nine point-to-points. She now heads to Rathbarry Stud in Ireland to be covered by Indian Danehill.

Trainer Simon Shirley-Beavan was confident his charge would run well.

“She’ll certainly try her best, although the weight may stop her,” he said before the off.

But the mare made light of her top-weight, producing another gutsy performance to head the three-and-a-half mile handicap chase.

Galashiels jockey Kelly Bryson, who only recently returned from injury, has partnered her to every success, and was again in the saddle.

“She has gone out with a bang, which is brilliant,” said Kelly.

“I knew she would stay on up the hill,” she added.

“I’ve had a fair few wins on her, so owe her a lot.”

Bryson was deprived of a double in the following novices’ hunter chase where Lady Brig had to settle for the runners-up slot, behind Benbeoch. The 11-year-old, trained at Greenlaw by Sandy Thomson, cruised home for a comfortable 14-length success under Chris Dawson.

The victory proved just consolation for Benbeoch who looked well in contention when falling two out at the same track in February.

The Thomson yard was in good form at the meeting – their other runner, Mini Beck, finishing runner-up in the novice’ handicap hurdle race, ahead of Paddington Bob, trained by Pauline Robson for East Lothian owners Ray and Anita Anderson Green.

Ian Miller’s Beidh Tine Anseo, a useful Flat performer for Jim Bolger, landed the SIS conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle race for Lucinda Russell. Before the off, the winner reared up and fell on jockey Campbell Gillies, but both were deemed fit to take part.

“He was a bit battered and bruised,” said Lucinda of her jockey, “but he’ll be glad he got back on now.

“The good ground had been better for this horse, and he’s improved again today,” she added.

“There’s a nice little race for him at Perth, so we’ll probably go there.”

Rose Dobbin, who had saddled runner-up Mountskip, went one better in the 2m 6f novices’ handicap hurdle race, when Jurisdiction took the spoils. The six-year-old carries the colours of the River Tweed Syndicate – which includes the Duke of Roxburghe – and is held in high regard by his Northumberland trainer.

The victory provided Graham Lee with the first leg of a double – the former Grand National winning jockey going on to head the concluding handicap hurdle race with Maska Pony, who held the challenge of the Jim Goldie-trained Annibale Caro.

Goldie also had a second in the opening handicap chase with Instant Shot.

Reckless Venture finished third for Lucinda Russell in the three-a-half mile handicap chase, while Silver Palomino filled a similar slot in the novices’ hunter chase for Selkirk trainer Lesley Coltherd and Maxton owner Robert Miller-Bakewell.

Jim Goldie made a worthwhile journey to Newmarket on May 2, when Hawkeyethenoo landed the six-furlong handicap. The 8-1 chance may take his place in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot, although his long-term aim is the Ayr Gold Cup.

Goldie was deprived of an across-the-card double when Gordonsville failed to find a gap and had to settle for the runners-up slot in the 1m 5 f handicap at Hamilton.

The Linda Perratt-trained Mandarin Spirit, 3lbs higher than his last success over five furlongs at the same track, travelled strongly to finish third in the six-furlong handicap.

Another stepping down in trip was Ingleby Star, whose six career victories have been over five furlongs. He finished second in the six-furlong claiming stakes for Belstane handler Noel Wilson.

Greg Fairley rode Rawnaq to head the 1m 3f maiden stakes. Last month at Catterick, the Hawick jockey rode Magic Omen to finish second in the seven-furlong maiden stakes on April 21.

The Hawick jockey was back in the frame when Mister Angry, conceding weight and over a longer trip, took third in the 1m 4f conditions stakes.

Belstane trainer Noel Wilson saddled Dower Glen – still a maiden after 13 attempts – to finish second in the five-furlong handicap.

Over the jumps at Perth’s opening day the same afternoon, Yetholm handler Sandy Forster saw Storymaker finish runner-up, after blundering badly three out, in the two-and-a-half mile handicap chase. He finish ahead of Quicuyo, trained at Rosewell by Peter Monteith and ridden by Ryan Mania from Clovenfords.

In the second division of the maiden hurdle, Caulkin – trained in Ireland by Ian Ferguson for Airdrie vegetable grower Ronnie Bartlett – collected the spoils.

Outsider of the field, Brooklyn Brownie, landed the three-mile chase on the second day of the Perth Festival meeting on April 22. The gelding, who has three previous course victories to his name, carries the colours of Langholm owners Karen Gaffney and her uncle Neil Stevenson.

Another Scottish winner was Nelson Du Ronceray, successful in the two-mile handicap chase for Peter Monteith, ahead of the Lucinda Russell-trained Go Silver Bullet.

Wind Shuffle finished runner-up in the two-mile novices’ hurdle race for Jim Goldie, ahead of Balnagore – rated 69 on the Flat and making a hurdling debut.

Sue Bradburne had a third in the three-mile novice handicap hurdle race with Proficiency, while Tynedale filled a similar slot in the hunter chase for Denholm owner/rider Kirsty Fitzgerald.

On Perth’s final day, Peter Monteith saddled Sinatas to finish runner-up in the novices’ handicap chase under Ryan Mania, ahead of Sotovik, trained at Hawick by Alistair Whillans and ridden by his son Ewan.

Monteith and Mania also had a third in the novices’ handicap hurdle race with Solis.

Fife trainer Nick Alexander saw Forcefield finish runner-up in the bumper in the hands of his daughter Lucy, with the Lucinda Russell-trained Fightstar in third.

Two Scottish jockeys were in good form at Market Rasen on April 24. East Lothian’s Campbell Gillies won the three-mile handicap chase on Rusty Red, while Ryan Mania from Galashiels finished second in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle race on Muntami.

Former National Hunt jockey Brian Storey, who now trains near Longtown, saddled Le Platino to win the beginners’ chase at Wetherby on April 25.The gelding – having just his third start over fences, made all to take the spoils.

Storey was also in the frame in the lady riders’ handicap hurdle race where Nobel finished runner-up, ahead of stablemate Humourous, having his first start for 190 days.

Northumberland trainer Rose Dobbin saw Zelos Diktator enjoy a comfortable victory in the selling handicap hurdle, where Lifes A Mystery finished third for former ladies point-to-point champion Pauline Robson.

Jedburgh-based George Bewley sent out Oh Yah Dancer to finish runner-up in the selling hurdle race at Sedgefield, ahead of Parisian Knight, trained by Andrew Crow and ridden by his son Gillon.

Ryan Mania partnered Samizdat to take second in the two-mile handicap hurdle race.

Local trainers accounted for two of the six races on Kelso’s evening card on April 28, where drying ground resulted in a number of non-runners. Langholm-based James Ewart landed the novices’ handicap chase with Quick Will, while Hawick handler Alastair Whillans saw Storm Kirk enjoy a victorious debut in the concluding bumper.

Decimated by non-runners, only five went to post in the novices’ handicap chase, with joint top weight Quick Will, who has won both his races at the Borders track, pulling clear in the closing stages.

The bumper was also cut up by non-runners, and the race was not without its drama when the well backed Diamond MM ran out and unseated jockey Brian Hughes on the turn into the home straight.

Storm Kirk, from the family of the same stable’s Storm Brig, went on take the spoils in impressive style and the Flat-bred four-year-old is surely one to watch for the future.

Runner-up to Quick Will was the Lucinda Russell-trained Phone In, up 10lbs for his Ayr success 12 days earlier.

James Ewart had a third in the opening maiden hurdle race, with Devil Water, and saw Nevertika, who had proved reluctant to start, finish runner-up in the 2m 2f handicap hurdle race to bottom weight Hazeldene, the mount of Ryan Mania.

Northern May racing came under orders at Hexham’s evening fixture, where Wilson Renwick rode Prioryjo to finish third in the selling hurdle race, and Campbell Gillies finished runner-up on Emotive in the two-and-a-half mile handicap chase.

Greg Fairley rode Monreale to his first victory since 2008 to win the 1m 4f race at Newcastle on May 4.

Ryan Mania rode Kosta Brava to win the conditional jockeys’ novices’ hurdle race at Wetherby on May 6.

James Ewart saddled Ballysimon – raised 23lbs for a course and distance success at the same track last month – to finish runner-up in the two-mile handicap hurdle race.

At Aintree the following evening, Lucinda Russell celebrated success in the two-mile handicap chase with Quito Du Tresor, whose target is the Summer Plate at Market Rasen.

Hawick jockey Ewan Whillans went one better on Solway Minstrel, third in the race last year, to finish second in the three-mile handicap hurdle race.

Jim Goldie saw Baaher, returning to a longer trip, take second in the concluding two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle race.

At Hamilton the same evening Linda Perratt saddled Tadavil to win the six-furlong handicap. The stable has a good record in this race, having won it three times in the last 10 years.

Ocarina posted a first success in two years to head the conditional jockeys handicap chase at Hexham on May 8 for James Ewart .