14:40 Perth

Friday 25 April 2025

All13:3214:0514:4015:1715:5216:2517:00

Alastair Down Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 28.00s

Olivers Travels^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 122

13/2

Bumper/hurdles winner who improved significantly with cheekpieces fitted over fences last summer, landing back-to-back 23f Worcester handicaps. Creditable second back from a break at Chepstow (23.6f, good) and he shouldn't be too far away.

Form: 1254P2

President Scottie⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 121| BF| D

9/2

Ended last term on the up over hurdles, including a 20.5f win at Ayr. Placed all 4 starts switched to the larger obstacles this season and this 7-y-o has a solid each-way chance.

Form: 14-2333

High Treason^t¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 116WS

5/1

Fairly useful winner over hurdles but yet to shine following 3 attempts in this sphere and has undergone a wind op since his latest start at the end of December.

Form: 191-374

Heard That^t⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 115| BF

5/2

Improving chaser who gained a second success in this sphere at Huntingdon in January. Good second at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) the following month but looked held when running out at Ludlow last time and others boast more compelling claims on this occasion.

Form: P1512R

Wal Buck's⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113

9/1

Encouraging signs over hurdles and is improving over fences, cosily accounting for 5 rivals in a 25.6f Haydock handicap in late-December. Jumping wasn't foot-perfect when third at Uttoxeter since but it's still early days for this 6-y-o and he's probably capable of better.

Form: 3-63213

One More Stroke^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 113| D

6/1

Got off the mark over fences at Musselburgh in February and hasn't fared at all badly in 2 subsequent starts, making the frame at Catterick and Carlisle. Place possibilities.

Form: 325134

Kandor^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 112| C

12/1

Left hurdling debut form well behind when winning a novice event here last summer. Yet to threaten over fences, though, and yard saddles a more likely type in Wal Buck's.

Form: 125F54

Half Track^p,t1¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: N W Alexander| OR: 102

14/1

Took a step back in right direction when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, heavy) in first-time cheekpieces last month. Backed that up when third at Kelso (22.7f, good) since but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to reproduce that level of form in this sphere. Tongue strap added.

Form: 324043

Non-Runners

Next Left²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Wearelongterm¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Charlie Maggs

Forecasts

Heard That (5/2), President Scottie (9/2), High Treason (5/1), One More Stroke (6/1), Olivers Travels (13/2), Wal Buck's (9/1), Next Left (10/1), Kandor (12/1), Half Track (14/1), Wearelongterm (25/1)

The most interesting of these is WAL BUCK'S, who has low-mileage for a 6-y-o and he did the job well when getting off the mark over fences at Haydock during the winter. His jumping wasn't so slick next time but it's easy to forgive that given his otherwise progressive profile. Olivers Travels and One More Stroke may emerge as the main dangers, assuming Next Left, who ran here on Wednesday, doesn't take his chance.