perthlodge.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 22.70s

Effet Special^t1¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120

3/1

Well bred individual, likely to come into his own once given more time and fences. Made satisfactory debut for this yard at Ayr in February and although not seen since, has the potential to be better than these. Should handle the deep ground fine.

Form: 323/F13-

Ardera Cross^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Young Jnr| OR: 119| C

13/8

No superstar but is capable enough when he's on a going day, and he came back to form with a ready success at Cartmel (2m) last time. Stays this trip and acts on the ground, but fully exposed and another 4lb on his back today makes life harder.

Form: 317541

Uptown Funk¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 119

6/5

Only the one win in 21 starts and has little form on deep ground to shout about, will strip fitter for a recent outing here (first run since January) and in an event lacking depth, has to be considered.

Form: 32503-9

Forecasts

Uptown Funk (6/5), Ardera Cross (13/8), Effet Special (3/1)

Three to pick from and all three have a chance. EFFET SPECIAL gets a narrow vote, purely on the grounds that he should have more improvement to come than the other two, and if he can take a small step forward on his Ayr run in February, that might be good enough. Ardera Cross does at least come here off the back of a win, which counts for plenty, and may get the better of Uptown Funk for the runner-up spot.