Racecards
16:15 Perth
Press & Journal Highland National Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 18 Runners
- Distance: 3m 7f
- Going: Good to Soft (Soft in places on chase course)
- Surface: Turf
- £25,000 added
Eskimo Pie (IRE)
140- Form 1P-440R
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer C C Bealby
- Jockey T Messenger
mistake, in touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 14th
Datito (IRE)
40- Form PU-19P4
- Age 12
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey M Bradburne
held up, headway when mistake 17th, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
- Form 43-1473
- Age 10
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer R Ford
- Jockey T Greenway
led or disupted lead to 17th, close up 4th when mistake and unseated rider next
- Form PP-2716
- Age 10
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey R McGrath
behind, headway 15th, weakened 17th, behind when pulled up before 5 out
- Form P121F1
- Age 8
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey P McDonald
led or disupted lead to 17th, outpace 5 out, soon weakened
Bengo (IRE)
28- Form 2522U4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 112
always behind, pulled up after 16th
- Form 7P2-F33
- Age 11
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer C R Egerton
- Jockey L Heard
in touch, weakened 17th, tailed when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 61FU53
- Age 12
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer A Parker
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, pulled up after 17th
- Form 1-U2262
- Age 11
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
held up, headway halfway, led 17th, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, finished tired
- Form PPP211
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
soon behind, pulled up before 10th
- Form 2PU424
- Age 10
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
in touch, headway 17th, challenged and every chance when hit 3 out, kept on same pace
- Form 11P-PPP
- Age 8
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Miss S E Forster
- Jockey D C Costello
chased leaders to halfway, soon weakened, pulled up after 17th
- Form 1PPP-43
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey K Renwick
behind from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
- Form 2111P3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer M F Harris
- Jockey Dave Crosse
behind, mistake 2nd, tailed off when pulled up after 17th
- Form 050103
- Age 7
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey D Elsworth
jumped left and mistake, always behind, pulled up before 3 out
- Form 10R5P5
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer H P Hogarth
- Jockey P Kinsella
chased leaders, outpace 4 out, no impression from next
- Form 3P3212
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Paul Moloney
held up, headway 17th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, led between last 2, stayed on well
- Form 236337
- Age 9
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer Mrs S C Bradburne
- Jockey P Aspell
chased leaders, ridden 16th, soon beaten
In depth
Verdict
Lucky Nellerie and Trisons Star can give Ferdy Murpy a one-two here, with Back In Business, Would You Believe, Alfadora and Golden Oak just a few likely dangers. Ferdy Murphy has already collected a notable long-distance race forecast with Hot Weld leading Nine De Sivola home in the Scottish National last week, and has high hopes of repeating the feat with his two runners here. Lucky Nellerie was made favourite for the Scottish Borders National at Kelso in March, but came down four out when holding every chance, and so it came as no surprise when he duly made amends on a return visit there as he only had one rival to beat. Obviously this is a lot tougher, but his front-running style will keep him out of trouble as he bids to defy a 7lb penalty, and he is taken to make all. Stablemate Trisons Star showed the benefit of a wind operation when making most at Newcastle last time, and it will be interesting if he tries to match strides with Lucky Nellerie. Would You Believe has yet to tackle this trip, but past victories at Towcester show that he is not short of stamina. Back In Business was slightly unlucky-in-running at Plumpton last time but looked held by the winner anyway, while Alfadora's little purple patch has come to an end. Golden Oak is dangerous to dismiss, given Jonjo O'Neill's record in staying chases, and any support for Admiral Peary should be noted. However, it is Lucky Nellerie that is taken to make all.
Formwatch
Eskimo Pie (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Towards rear, headway 17th, hit 27th, weakening when ran out 3 out in race won by Spot Thedifference (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Datito (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced from 5th, 4th of 12, 19l behind Carapuce (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Chabrimal Minster 16-1 (9-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 7th to 10th, led again 14th to 17th, led again after 4 out, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Nil Desperandum (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 1-5fav (10-11) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Kelso 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf beating Roobihoo (10-13) by 2l, 2 ran.
Harlov (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced 14th, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Elvis Returns (10-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Would You Believe 10-3fav (11-12) In rear, headway 13th, chased winner next, ridden after 3 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 8, 14l behind Another Conquest (10-7) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Trisons Star (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) In touch, led 3rd to 6th, led again 9th, made rest, held on gamely, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar beating Tastes Like More (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Back In Business (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Close up, ridden and not much room when hampered on bend after 13th, chased leaders next, left 2nd and slightly hampered 4 out, no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 6, 14l behind It's My Party (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-9.