16:05 Perth

Sunday 11 June 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

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

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 6m 2.83s

Caribean Boy^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| D

15/2

Took advantage of a drop in the weights to take Grade 2 Cheltenham in April but his profile is increasingly all-or-nothing and he failed to back that up when seventh of 11 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, heavy) 36 days ago. Others are more solid.

Form: 1P/5P1-7

Definite Plan^b²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Ricky Doyle| T: G Elliott| OR: 134

10/1

Not the most reliable type but he ran well under a switch to front-running tactics when third of 14 in handicap chase at Killarney (26f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Remains to be seen whether he can back that up but trainer's runners here always merit respect.

Form: PP/P2P-3

Scipion^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 132| D

4/1

Built on earlier chasing promise when landing 4-runner handicap at Lingfield in February and ran at least as well when runner-up at Kempton in April. Disappointing at Market Rasen last time, and has since left Tom Lacey (£56,000), but would merit respect if market vibes are positive.

Form: 341P2-5

Landofsmiles^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: R T Dunne| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 130| CD

11/4

Two-time C&D winner in 2021 and returned from a 16-month absence with a career-best effort to score in 11-runner handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, good to soft, 11/1) 22 days ago. 8 lb higher mark here but should be in the mix again.

Form: 43293/1

Ballykeel²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

11/4

Off the mark over fences at Fairyhouse in February and ran a fine race when second at the Punchestown Festival in April. In the process of running below form when falling at Killarney last time but overall profile remains positive.

Form: 24102-F

Saint Arvans^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 126

12/1

Likeable type who has taken well to chasing, winning for a fourth time at Kelso (3m) in April. On the back foot after an early mistake last time and it wouldn't be surprising to make more an impression here.

Form: 1FP13-P

Western Run^p²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 122| D

16/1

Twenty one runs since last win under Rules in 2020 and didn't quite look the force of old when second of 3 over C&D on his debut for this yard last month. Others preferred.

Form: 54131-2

Hermann Clermont^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Dobbin| OR: 120| CD

14/1

Won twice over C&D for Gordon Elliott last season and ran reasonably well when second on his hunter chase debut at Kelso last month. Unseated through no fault of his own last time but he races from slightly out of the weights and others make more appeal.

Form: 2SFP-2U

Forecasts

Ballykeel (11/4), Landofsmiles (11/4), Scipion (4/1), Caribean Boy (15/2), Definite Plan (10/1), Saint Arvans (12/1), Hermann Clermont (14/1), Western Run (16/1)

LANDOFSMILES has won on both of his previous visits to Perth and proved better than ever to score at Uttoxeter last time, so, provided that he doesn't "bounce" on his second run after a lengthy absence, he sets a good standard in this contest. Ballykeel is a leading player on the pick of his recent efforts, whilst Scipion is still fairly low-mileage over fences and is worth a market check on his stable debut.