16:15 Perth

Friday 26 April 2019

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

Pentland Land Rover Perth Highland National Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 8m 10.53s

Gold Opera^v²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 127

13/2

Ran a blinder last time out at Aintree in a much stronger race than this (bad blunder two out caused the saddle to slip). That was another good run for this stable without winning; enter calculations but there are doubts about the trip.

Form: P1-2254

Harry The Viking^p⁶²

Age: 14| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124

20/1

Hardy old campaigner who has the touch of the enigmatic about him but showed his good side when landing his second Borders National at Kelso in December. Failed to back that run up in the Eider at Newcastle; chance if in the mood.

Form: 3P7-710

Teddy Tee⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 122

10/1

Jumping remains a rather larger hole in his armoury (fell at the water last time); has the ability to win something like this if remaining upright (previous run at Ayr proves that). Comes with obvious risks (0-8 over fences); should enjoy this trip.

Form: 22P3-2F

Blue Kascade¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 120| C

25/1

Profile looks rather hit-and-miss but has won around here (3m)off a 4lb lower mark and his last outing showed that he was back in form (second at Wetherby). Not certain to stay this trip and wouldn't want the ground to soften (rain forecast).

Form: 7124P2

Weststreet⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 119

11/2

Off the mark last time on his ninth attempt over fences (jumped well; caught wilting leader, staying on well). That run proved his staying power although the surface will be much less testing here; up 5lb, little more needed.

Form: P/P3831

Capard King³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: A M Thomson| OR: 118| BF

13/2

Not the most reliable although he did look to have taken a step back in a progressive motion on his first run for this yard at Ayr in March (3m, soft). Well backed last time his jumping failed him badly; doubts remain here.

Form: 8-45F2U

Nakadam^p,t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: R P McLernon| T: R M Smith| OR: 110

25/1

Ended a long losing run when scoring at Carlisle in December (appeared to appreciate the 3m2f test). That progress has stalled since though and he was beaten by lack of stamina last time (3m7f); also failed to stay in this in 2017.

Form: 3-4618P

Misfits^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107

7/1

Caught close home by Weststreet at Hexham (4m, heavy) last time after looking in control in the closing stages. Up 5lb for that run his overall record suggests that he lacks consistency although he should be suited by another stamina test.

Form: 423972

Achill Road Boy^b⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 107| BF

9/2

Very consistent sort showed that he was still in good heart last time (without his usual blinkers, they return here) when second at Carlisle (travelled well). Returns from a break, up 2lb; should stay this trip, should feature in this.

Form: 342122

Calivigny^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107

9/1

Enigmatic sort who took advantage of a fall in the weights to land back-to-back handicaps in December (furthest over 3m). Rather reverted to type since then (awkward off the bridle); modest effort last time and not one to rely on.

Form: 311345

Carrigdhoun^t,v1²⁰

Age: 14| Weight: 10-5| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 106

12/1

Veteran who is being given a chance by the handicapper; repaid that kindness last time with a sound enough third at Newcastle (still went in snatches). Stays well so trip will help as might the first-time visor; needs others to underperform.

Form: 3677P3

Late Date³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105| C

9/1

Has won round here over a shorter trip (and hurdles) but would prefer this to be run at Sedgefield where he's gained his two chasing wins. Had the run of things when beating two rivals there last time; this looks a much harder.

Form: 5-P1P41

Forecasts

Achill Road Boy (9/2), Weststreet (11/2), Gold Opera (13/2), Capard King (13/2), Misfits (7/1), Calivigny (9/1), Late Date (9/1), Teddy Tee (10/1), Carrigdhoun (12/1), Harry The Viking (20/1), Nakadam (25/1), Blue Kascade (25/1)

Some of these have had their jumping problems with Teddy Tee perhaps the most high profile although his chance must be respected with Scottish Grand National winning rider Sean Quinlan taking the ride for the first time. Both Misfits and Weststreet have proven themselves at this trip already after they finished second and first at Hexham over 4m last time with the winner looking to have more to offer at these marathon trips. In form terms Gold Opera enters the picture but there must be some stamina doubts as there are with Blue Kascade and Nakadam. ACHILL ROAD BOY looks to have the most progressive profile in the race and looks to have been aimed at this race off a break.