15:45 Perth

Friday 27 April 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Heineken UK Highland National Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 8m 22.9s

Ballymalin⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 128| C

2/1

Looks suited by marathon trips having finished third in a gruelling Midland National at Uttoxeter (4m, heavy) last time. A winner over fences prior to that his yard have won this twice since 2011 (last in 2015).

Form: 13P3F3

Chic Name^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Broughton⁽¹⁰⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 126

17/2

Showed his best form of late over the Cross Country course at Cheltenham having been successful in a Newbury handicap last year, Needs to bounce back here from a very poor run at Kelso last time.

Form: 417-35P

Petite Power^t⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| BF

8/1

Produced a career-best after a break when last seen at Lingfield in a long-distance staying handicap chase off a 5lb lower mark only beaten by a progressive rival. A repeat of that run would make him of interest here.

Form: 44-4552

Harry The Viking^p²⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 125

25/1

Veteran chaser who caused something of a surprise when winning a staying handicap chase on his return at Carlisle. Followed that up with a reasonable run but his latest effort at Kelso was well below-par; can be a very hard ride.

Form: 449-13P

As De Pique^t²

Age: 13| Weight: 11-7| J: J B Kane⁽⁵⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 123

9/1

Not the best of jumpers on occasions but turned in a decent round here earlier in the week over 3m. Remains to be seen if he can build on that run and avoid the mistakes that have blighted some of his outings.

Form: FUPF42

Boric^p⁶²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 121| CD

9/1

Winner of this last year he's a very tough and genuine stayer at this level although he runs here off a 13lb higher mark this time around. Has twice been placed off higher marks this year and freshened up after a poor run last time out.

Form: 22462P

Milborough^p1²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: I A Duncan| OR: 117

25/1

Quite often seen in these staying events (Eider Chase winner in the past) but has yet to really show his form this term. Failed to complete in his last three starts and was an early faller in the race at Haydock last time.

Form: 6P-4PPF

Itstimeforapint^b,t⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 116

20/1

First-time blinkers appeared to have a rejuvenating effect on him when taking a Bangor handicap in February. Those same aids failed to produce the same results at Hexham last time out and he's not the most consistent of sorts.

Form: 3P-6P14

Lac Sacre^b,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: J L Flint| OR: 107

25/1

One win from 21 attempts over fences is hardly a record that would be one of the best here although he has proved consistent of late. The 3m4f trip that he tried last time appeared to suit and he might go well off a low weight.

Form: 632224

Lowanbehold¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 99

14/1

Testing conditions and a stamina sapping trip appear the conditions that suit this one best and he comes here under a 7lb penalty. Needs making plenty of use of and responds well to pressure but he has run poorly here in the past.

Form: 134431

Kings Eclipse³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: B S Hughes| T: A Wilson| OR: 102| BF

8/1

A winner in point-to-points he unsurprisingly improved on his hurdles when making a winning chase debut late last year. Again shaped well last time on just his third chase start and looks very interesting off a light weight here.

Form: 924122

Onderun¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 91

11/1

Broke a long losing spell for the yard last time when quite nicely supported at Carlisle under a forcing ride. This is obviously much harder from out of the handicap but he has won off much higher marks in the past.

Form: P-7P551

Forecasts

Ballymalin (2/1), Petite Power (8/1), Kings Eclipse (8/1), Chic Name (17/2), Boric (9/1), As De Pique (9/1), Onderun (11/1), Lowanbehold (14/1), Itstimeforapint (20/1), Lac Sacre (25/1), Harry The Viking (25/1), Milborough (25/1)

Stamina will be to the fore here and with the Nigel Twiston-Davies team having a good Perth Festival his Ballymallin already placed in a Midland National has to be respected. Last year’s winner Boric has a tougher task at the weights this time with others that need a test of stamina like Lowandbehold and Petite Power also of interest. A light weight and the booking of Brian Hughes make KINGS ECLIPSE the one to side with though despite being inexperienced over fences he still looks as though he can progress and this trip should certainly suit.