Auto Services Perth Ltd. Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 3m 56.10s

Cirque Royal^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: Gerald Quinn| OR: 121| CD

5/1

Irish raider who scored in a maiden hurdle over C&D in May 2022. Well beaten on his last 3 starts (including on the Flat), though possibly needed the outing after 9 months off at Downpatrick in June. Sent off favourite for last year's Summer Hurdle, so he's not discounted.

Form: 5/1153-7

Garde Des Champs^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| CD

11/8

Knocking on the door and showed improved form to get off the mark in convincing fashion at this C&D (good) just under 6 weeks ago. Hiked up 10 lb for that success but conditional negates half that rise and this his first outing since leaving Keith Dalgleish.

Form: 2324-21

Willyouwalkwithme²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: John Shinnick⁽⁷⁾| T: S Wilson| OR: 117

12/1

In good form prior to below-par sixth at Sligo last month. Has since left Harry Smyth and market support should be noted on his first start across the Irish Sea.

Form: 91-4246

Harel Du Marais^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 116

14/1

Has had several chances but remains a maiden after 8 hurdle runs. Dropped back to 2m for this handicap debut but others look stronger on the face of it.

Form: 3264-47

Well Planted²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: R M Smith| OR: 111| CD

10/3

C&D winner last June and having trailed in last of 6 on the Flat at Musselburgh in June, ran creditably back over hurdles when runner-up over C&D last month (upsides last and held only late on). Can get involved nudged up 1 lb.

Form: 296-432

McGowan's Pass^p¹¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: J Candlish| OR: 104| D

5/1

Sixteen runs since last win in 2020 but arrives in good heart, not beaten far when third at Market Rasen (16.6f, soft) 11 days ago. Not getting any younger but could be ready to strike, so he needs considering.

Form: 3423-23

Frightened Rabbit³⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 100| D

50/1

Capitalised on a falling mark in re-fitted cheekpieces at Hexham in May 2022 but well beaten on all 3 subsequent outings. Returns after 11 months off for a new yard and percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 50P/109-

Forecasts

Garde Des Champs (11/8), Well Planted (10/3), McGowan's Pass (5/1), Cirque Royal (5/1), Willyouwalkwithme (12/1), Harel Du Marais (14/1), Frightened Rabbit (50/1)

Garde des Champs is sure to be popular after his recent breakthrough success over C&D but he may have to play second fiddle to veteran MCGOWAN'S PASS, who hasn't won for a long time but deserves plenty of credit for consistency and signalled he could be ready to strike when going close at Market Rasen 11 days ago. Well Planted and Cirque Royal can battle out third spot.