bet365 Sam Morshead Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 5m 59.9s

Exelerator Express^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 147

9/4

Dual chase winner last term who showed the benefit of a recent run when scoring at Aintree last month, a well-run race in a lesser grade proving key. He's very effective under these sort of conditions and ought to be bang there once again.

Form: 62185-1

Minella Trump⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 145| CD

7/4

Completed a remarkable 7-timer at Catterick in November and picked up where he'd left off in the winter as he made it 5-5 at this track just over 6 weeks ago. Deserves plenty of credit for his consistency and durability so he rates a major player once more.

Form: 111121-

Romain De Senam^p1,t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 142| BF

6/1

Smart chaser at best who has been finding his way for David Pipe after an 11-month absence. Opened his account for this yard at Newton Abbot last month and was just touched off by a progressive course specialist at Cartmel 8 days ago. Respected in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 3/P0-212

Broken Quest^p,t³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 138| D

9/1

Clearly better than ever, scoring at Wincanton and Ludlow in April and taking his form up a notch to complete the hat-trick at Market Rasen last month. Handicapper has put him up another 8 lb but he has to be respected in current groove.

Form: 2P411-1

Glenloe^b³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 129

4/1

It's now seventeen runs since his sole success in 2016 and he found the test too much sporting first-time blinkers when fourth at Punchestown (31f, good to soft) just over 5 weeks ago. Yard dominant at his track over the years but his strike rate somewhat tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 743034-

Forecasts

Minella Trump (7/4), Exelerator Express (9/4), Glenloe (4/1), Romain De Senam (6/1), Broken Quest (9/1)

A tricky contest to unravel despite the small field but preference is for EXELERATOR EXPRESS. Neil Mulholland's charge showed the benefit of a recent run to open his account for the season at Aintree last month and under these favourable conditions he must have an excellent chance of following up. Minella Trump was well placed to win an impressive 8 times from 9 starts (including 5-5 at this track) last season so he's put forward as the biggest threat, ahead of Romain de Senam.