NINETEEN-year-old Maisie Sharp aptly described Badger Foot as “a legend” after making a victorious debut at Saturday’s Berwickshire point-to-point to become the 13th different jockey to win aboard the Lucinda Russell-trained gelding.

“He’s just so cool. He’s a legend, “enthused Maisie after a dead-heat success in the NPPA veteran and novice riders’ race with Royal Chatelier (Jamie Alexander) at Kelso.

The two winning jockeys filled both ends of the race spectrum – Maisie at just 19 having her first ride, and Jamie, one of the sport’s veteran jockeys, at 52.

Maisie, who evented and competed in a tetrathlon in her native Aberdeen, joined Lucinda Russell’s Milnathort stable about a year-and-a-half ago.

Of her winning debut ride she added, “He was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t have asked for any more.”

Lucinda added, “That’s 13 wins with different jockeys. He’s such great schoolmaster.”

Maisie also received the Rubstic trophy for the winning novice jockey from John Leadbetter, who trained him to his 1979 Grand National success.

The victory also marked the second leg of a double for Lucinda and her father Peter, who also owns Hey Listen, winner of the open maiden race.

The five-year-old was given a positive ride by Donal Delahunt and produced a gutsy performance in testing conditions to hold Doesn’tbortherme by half-a-length.

“He’s starting to mature,” said Lucinda of the gelding, a £30,000 purchase at Tattersalls last November.

“Dad won the Buccleuch Cup in 1993, so wants to go to Kelso with him for that,” she added.

Victor Thompson, who saddled the runner-up, went one better in the intermediate race, and is also considering the Buccleuch Cup for Senor Alco.

The grey cruised home six lengths clear of Welsh raider Indigo Island in the hands of Kit Alexander.

“We’ll either go to Tranwell or to Kelso,” said Victor, who has nine pointers in his Northumberland yard.

Nick Orpwood began and ended the day with a winner, and his double also secured him the Rainy Brown Memorial trophy for the leading rider at the three Friars Haugh fixtures.

On an afternoon which saw the second offence omitted on all circuits following overnight rain, Nick rode Always Tipsy to defeat sole rival Oscar Stanley by a length in the opening Border Hunts club members’ race.

The eight-year-old, trained by Cockburnspath farmer Alan Wight, was recording his fourth win from four pointing runs.

“He’s had a great season,” said Alan, who had just finished lambing.

A novice hunter chase at Kelso in May is the potential target.

Nick Orpwood also won the concluding restricted race, riding Towerburn to a second successive course victory for Hawick owner Gavin Hamilton, whose wife, Alison trains the gelding.

“Both he and Wayupinthesky, who also won here last time, were bred by the same man,” said Alison.

“Gavin bought Towerburn as a three-year-old from Jed O’Keefe, and he’s very well bred, although we’ve had problems with his wind as he had a trapped epiglottis.”

Gemma Walton made a worthwhile journey from Flookburgh to complete a training double.

She saddled Quel Elite – a gift horse from Cartmel trainer Jimmy Moffatt - to a short head victory in the ladies’ open race, under a fine ride by Amie Waugh.

“Amie gave him a peach of a ride,” said Gemma, adding that second-time blinkers had “definitely helped.

Gemma also accounted for the men’s open with Forge Valley, who gave jockey Tom Greenwood an anxious moment at the last.

“I had to sit tight,” he conceded.

Gemma said she “nearly retired” the 13-year-old, who ran in last year’s Aintree Foxhunters, and who gave her a 100% strike rate at the Friars Haugh fixture.

LEADING results:

Border Hunts Club members race – Always Tipsy (N Orpwood) 1-3 fav; 2, Oscar Stanley (Miss K Bryson) 9-4. Two ran. 1l. Jo Cockburn, A Wight, P Home (A Wight) Berwickshire.

Open maiden – Hey Listen (D Delahunt) 5-2; 2, Doesn’tbortherme (K Alexander) 5-1; 3, Overtoyoulou (J Dawson) 10-1. 15 ran. 1/2l; 2l. Peter Russell (Lucinda Russell) Fife.

Ladies Open – Quel Elite (Miss A Waugh)7-4; 2, Clonea Power (Miss L Fenwick) 5-4 fav; 3, High Kite (Miss E Horner-Harker) 8-1. Five ran. Sh hd; 7l. James Latham (Gemma Walton) Vale of Lune.

Intermediate – Senor Alco (K Alexander) 5-1; 2, Indigo Island (Miss L Pinchin) 6-4; 3, For Yes (Miss H Bryce) 4-1. Four ran. 6l; 7l. V Thompson, Percy.

Men’s Open – Forge Valley (T Greenwood) 7-2; 2, Whats Left (D Hurst) 3-1; 3, Bang On Time (G Beaumont) 16-1. Seven ran. 4l; 20l. James Latham (Gemma Walton) Vale of Lune.

NPPA Veteran & Novice Riders – Badger Foot (Miss M Sharp) 4-5 and Royal Chatelier (J Alexander) 4-6 fav. Two ran. Dead heat. Peter Russell (Lucinda Russell) Fife and Jamie Alexander (Nick Alexander) Fife.

Restricted – Towerburn (N Orpwood) 1-3 fav; 2, Fernando’s Song (G Beaumont) 2-1. Two ran. 5l. JPG Hamilton (Alison Hamilton) Jedforest.