THE biggest cheer of the day at Kelso yesterday afternoon went up when Well Appointed appeared late on the scene to snatch the E Scarth and Son Handicap Hurdle.

Well ridden by Graham Lee, who was losing his 3lb claim in the process, the Hawick rider beat Killbally Boy by four lengths. Well Appointed, as well as giving trainer Bruce MacTaggart his eighth winner in his best ever season, sparked plenty of celebrations among owners Drumlanrig Racing, which consists of 12 enthusiasts from a local pub in Hawick.

MacTaggart said: "The season has been going well with horses such as Ingletonian, Kalajo and of course this old fella."

Now Young Man, fast becoming a course specialist at Kelso stayed on gamely under Chris Wilson to see off another Kelso regular Royal Jester by two lengths in the Stefes Champion Hunters' Chase. Returning after a 518 day absence because of injury, the gelding justified the patience shown by trainer Ann Swinbank.

The Richmond trainer said: "He's now run three times here and won three times. He injured a tendon at Carlisle so we gave him plenty of time off."

Gordon Richards, whose Buckboard Bounce was fourth in the Grand National, was on the mark with a double, supplied by Jessolle and Real Tonic.

The latter was an emphatic winner under Adam Ogden in the Glengoyne Highland Malt Novices Chase.

The gelding carries the colours of Robert Ogden, father of the winning rider, whose retained jockey Paul Carberry was on board Buckboard Bounce.

. David Bridgwater was yesterday reported to be recovering well after undergoing surgery on the arm he broke when brought down on Time Won't Wait in the Red Rum Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

Bridgwater underwent a two hour operation at Fazakerly Hospital in Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.