16:35 Perth

Thursday 26 April 2018

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:10

GS Group Scoonieburn Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 53.30s

Sun Cloud^b1⁶⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 130| CD

20/1

Took this race last year in a decisive manner from an 11lb lower mark (heavy), and is a dyed in the wool stayer. Less attractively treated over hurdles this time around and wears first time blinkers.

Form: 1-4116P

Aengus^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: J Candlish| OR: 124

12/1

Sits on a mark which is 10lb above what he's ever won off over hurdles, but was staying on up the Carlisle hill to finish a never nearer 4L third to today's rival My Old Gold (3m1f soft) latest, so enters the reckoning.

Form: 783603

Landecker¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 120

28/1

Never won away from Kelso (2m-3m2f) and generally known for giving himself plenty to do in his races. Not in startling form lately, but has been contesting some tough races. 5lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 72615P

My Old Gold¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 118

9/4

Progressive mare who has earned a 6lb rise in the weights for her recent Carlisle success (3m1f soft). Her rider helps to negate 3lb of that rise, so just 1lb worse off with the third placed Aengus today (beaten 4L).

Form: 11-3221

Skipthescales^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 117

5/2

Strong stayer who continues to defy the attentions of the handicapper and is on an upward curve. A winner for this rider at Carlisle last month (3m1f good to soft), he races from a 4lb higher mark today.

Form: 143141

Letemgo⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 117

9/1

Won three on the bounce earlier in the season (3m-3m2f) for which he earned a hefty hike up the weights; in excess of 20lb. Hit the frame once more at Ayr on Friday behind the most progressive Chapel Stile (3m good).

Form: 111UP3

Rivabodiva^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁸⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112

10/1

Mud-lark who was given a positive ride by this promising young jockey in optimum conditions at Newcastle recently (3m heavy). Raised 10lb for that all the way romp, and this is a much deeper contest.

Form: 312421

Native Optimist²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Coltherd| T: Mrs S Walton| OR: 112| C

40/1

Goes best at Hexham with four of his six career victories coming at the demanding Northumberland venue, but has also won at this track (3m good). Pulled up behind Skipthescales at Carlisle latest.

Form: 21727P

Allthegear No Idea^p¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 109| CD

6/1

Not won since 2015 (this race) when beating Jaunty Journey by a neck. Had plenty of chances since and is woefully one-paced. Others preferred.

Form: 526254

Non-Runners

Total Assets⁷⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 10

T: S Waugh J: Callum Bewley

Forecasts

My Old Gold (9/4), Skipthescales (5/2), Allthegear No Idea (6/1), Total Assets (13/2), Letemgo (9/1), Rivabodiva (10/1), Aengus (12/1), Sun Cloud (20/1), Landecker (28/1), Native Optimist (40/1)

Plenty of Perth regulars with 2015 winner Allthegear No Idea, and 2017 winner Sun Cloud topping and tailing the handicap. However, the solution probably lies elsewhere. Rivabodiva is up the weights and in grade for her recent Newcastle romp, whilst 2017 runner up Total Assets is the unfortunate victim of her own consistency. Therefore, recent Carlisle form seemingly provides the majority of clues. Skipthescales is on an upward curve and should figure for Phil Kirby, but MY OLD GOLD is likely to once more have the measure of Aengus, with Ryan Day's 3lb claim negating exactly 50% of her 6lb rise in the weights.