Perth 2.05 - Highland National - Handicap Chase - Class 3 - 3 miles 6 and 1/2 furlongs - 12 run - Good to Soft.

 

Busty Boy is upped in trip and may improve for it, the vast majority of the field it has to be said are out of form or being asked to find as yet unproven reserves of stamina and the proven performers FAIRLAWN FLYER who is a specialist in long distance Regional Nationals and who looks to be coming to the boil again for a summer jumping campaign for a Yard increasingly focussing on that genre and ITS NOT FOR DYLAN, the winner of this race in 2023 who has had injury since but who really looked to be on the way back last time out, are frankly the best value even at prices around the 5-7/1 mark (Northern)

 

Perth 3.52 - Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles 2 and 1/2 furlongs - 12 run - Good to Soft

 

This is a very open race so the value may lie with a couple largely ignored by the top end of the market but who hold solid Course and stamina claims at both ends of the handicap and weight scales.

 

DINIONS is well handicapped despite top weight and this is a significant ease in Grade from last time. I do like horses who are proven weight carriers and capable of winning from the top of the handicap and Brian Ellioson would not be coming here if he thought the horse had too much weight to carry.

 

At the other end of the scale off a very interesting looking mark, who is spot on the mark of the last 2 wins for the horse and off a feather weight of 10 stones 2 lbs and with a 7 lbs Claimer on board is the stamina laden SHOESHINE BOY and I will be disappointed if this one isn't bang in contention here. (Northern)

 

---

 

Sandown 4.45 - Handicap - 3 yo - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 12 run - Good

 

Many Men and Gunship, who has a Derby Entry, are solid favourites here in a competitive field of unexposed types but I've heard a strong word and there is some verifiable form that suggests that the Andrew Balding trained URBAN GLIMPSE may have strengthened up significantly over the winter.

 

The fact they went to Italy last Autumn for a nice 2 year old race after a decent win on the horses 2nd start in the UK suggests that they are minded to give this horse a chance here against some with fancier form at face value. Well worth a small each way punt (RJ)

 

----

 

KIlbeggan 5.55 - Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 16 run - Good to Yielding

 

I narrowed this down to around half a dozen and at the last stage i left out Mahler Appeal who reverts from Chasing where form is stronger than over Hurdles, Roya Cave who is one I prefer to TRACK forwards for the summer jumping as this run may bed needed of a 5 month break and Kalnoo, my 4th best rated, whose turn could be near but whose bare form figures of 3-3-3 may flatter to deceive a little.

 

JOES TURN looks ready to take his turn in the Winners Enclosure and the step back up to 3 miles looks ideal for a horse who could really be running into peak form and fitness on decent Spring ground. SIR CARNEGIE was staying on stoutly after a jumping error at the second last at Down Royal over a stiff 2 miles and 6 furlongs and on this easier tRack you would think that 3 miles would be well within stamina range and DALMATIC who was 4th at this trip last time and who also looks like the type to improve for the better ground and who as a 5 year old really has some scope to keep improving is also given a confident each way investment nomination. (Sean)

 

-------