16:27 Perth

Sunday 7 June 2026

All14:0714:4215:1715:5216:2717:0217:37

Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 6m 4.23s

The Real Whacker^p,t⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 150| D

12/1

Grade 1 winner at Cheltenham Festival as a novice chaser. Added the Charlie Hall at Wetherby in 2024 but has largely found life tough since, let down by his jumping in the Grand National on latest outing. This is a significant drop in class, though.

Form: 54/256P-

Riskintheground^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| BF

9/2

Shaped better than result in the Plate at Cheltenham, before landing Silver Trophy at Haydock in April. Left with too much to do when runner-up at Uttoxeter (2½m) last time and he's not taken lightly for leading yard.

Form: 04901-2

Somespring Special^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| D

7/2

Returned to form when winning at Newton Abbot (21f) in May and proved at least as good as ever when following up at Bangor (3m) 15 days ago, taking her record under Ben Jones to 3 from 3. Up another 5 lb but she's respected in her hat-trick bid.

Form: 3153-11

Light N Strike³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: James Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 133

8/1

Latest success came at Newton Abbot (21f) in May last year for Emma Lavelle. Low-key start for current yard, but after 6 months off he showed better signs when 16 lengths fourth of 7 to Somespring Special in latest renewal of the Newton Abbot race. Interesting with recent run behind him.

Form: 33UP0-4

Statuario⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 132| CD

11/2

Winner of this race in 2025 and has gone on to add 2 more C&D victories to his tally, returning from 4 months off when dead-heating in April. However, he's now 4 lb higher than for his success in this last year.

Form: 101681-

Duffle Coat^p,t1³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: James Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 129

18/1

Running well when brought down 2 out in National Hunt Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival but has struggled for form since, pulled up both starts since returning from a 6-month absence this spring. Tongue strap now added.

Form: PP/09PP-

Walk On Quest^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 124

16/1

Much improved switched to fences in 2024/25, completing a 4-timer. Only narrowly denied at Kelso (23f) in April, before getting back to winning ways in 3-runner contest over the same C&D last month. This is tougher back up in grade.

Form: 526P2-1

Stans The Man^b,t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 123| BF| D

9/1

Returned from 3-month break with success at Wincanton in March and good placed efforts both starts since, third in Norfolk National at Fakenham (29f) last month. 1 lb out of the weights here, though still 3 lb lower than when third in this race last year.

Form: 43612-3

Breizh River^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 123| BF

10/3

In first-time tongue strap, scored on third start for current yard at Musselburgh on New Year's Day and has continued in good heart since, also winning at Kelso in April before a creditable third at Aintree (2½m) 23 days ago, sticking to his task.

Form: 31251-3

Magna Sam^p¹⁶⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 118| DWS

50/1

With cheekpieces fitted, landed a second success in Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last year. However, has been below form in only 3 subsequent outings, making a respiratory noise when well held at the same course in December. Absent again since (has had another breathing operation).

Form: P31P/66-

Forecasts

Breizh River (10/3), Somespring Special (7/2), Riskintheground (9/2), Statuario (11/2), Light N Strike (8/1), Stans The Man (9/1), The Real Whacker (12/1), Walk On Quest (16/1), Duffle Coat (18/1), Magna Sam (50/1)

LIGHT N STRIKE produced his most encouraging effort for current yard when fourth at Newton Abbot on his return last month and, having dropped below his last winning mark, he could be ready to get his head back in front. Riskintheground has worked his way back to form this spring and is feared most, ahead of the hat-trick seeking Somespring Special.