Perth - Mid-July Sunday Meeting

PERTH – Sunday July 11th

Going – Good to Firm

2.10 2m 110yds Toteplacepot (4) Maiden Hurdle

DESERT SOUL guaranteed a decent pace, racing as freely as usual. Predictably he found the others too sharp once turned for home, dropping away quickly.
BAAHER gained reward following some decent placed efforts. He sweated up before the start, but certainly seemed none the worse for it. He challenged from two out and showed resolution to head the runner-up in the final furlong. He should be capable of picking up a novice under a penalty or a handicap.
DEFINITE ALL STAR led after two out but was just run out of it approaching the finish. He should finds consolation and his trainer is more than capable of placing him to win.
NODFORMS VIOLET was outpaced approaching the last and this distance over a sharp track didn’t play to his strengths. He’ll be a different horse given a stiffer test.
DEVOTION TO DUTY is rated higher than the winner but surrendered rather tamely after three out.

2.40 2m 4f 110yds Toteswinger Flexi Betting (4) Novices’ Chase

This was a stroll in Scone Park for BILLIE MAGERN. He was rated well above his nearest rival and was not extended to pick up first prize. He’ll see off much better opposition than this before the fast ground disappears.
RIGHT OR WRONG was well held but not troubled for second.
ADRIANEO got round but lost touch from the eighth.
ELLANDSHE pootled round for another completion at his own sedate pace, though his jumping has been better. He added a little to his ‘keep fund’ in the process.

3.10 2m 4f 100yds Exclusive Lodges (4) Novices’ Hurdle

Maurice Barnes’ stable has been in decent form in recent months, and he has done well with a few novices. BUCEPHALUS added to the tally by seeing off a decent opponent in NEDZER’S RETURN, though the latter has the Galway Plate as a main target and this was surely only a stepping stone. Both showed plenty of determination from two out.
The first three had the rest beaten from four out, ROSE STREET trying to match the pace set by the second but stick with the first two in the straight.

3.40 3m 110yds Tote Exacta Flexi Betting (0-113) Handicap Hurdle

Nigel Twiston-Davies has kept a few aside for a tilt at Perth in recent years. He’s been eclipsed by Gordon Elliott in recent times, but HERMOSO went some way to proving that the Gloucestershire stable still earmark a few for Scottish raids. This performance made up for Sam Twiston-Davies’s clanger at the previous meeting when riding an early finish. Most of these are exposed, but Hermoso is lightly raced and progressive. He looked as if he felt he’d done enough, but stayed on well enough under pressure and should win again soon.
SPARKLING ZOLA ran to his best in second, while TARKANI stayed on for third, but this is his normal style and he’s tough to win with.
LONG WAIT was held under his weight rise, being held approaching the last.
FLY TIPPER and BRONX BOY ran creditably enough and finished quite close. Both can find easier opportunities in 0-100 company or lower off their current marks.
CATCH THE PERK found it hard work from three out and, having set the pace, STROBE dropped away quickly once headed approaching two out.
PADDINGTON BOB was in contention when going wrong approaching two out and being swiftly pulled up. There was no report registered giving a reason.

4.10 2m 4f 110yds Tote Flexi Betting (0-124) Handicap Chase

This race was won comfortably by RETRIEVETHELEGEND, but he’s exposed and I’m not sure any of the rest ran to their form. While the winner is in good heart I doubt he’ll be value next time.
RUN TO SPACE was outpaced going to four out when the winner had the whole field in trouble, but kept on again to take second.
ISLAND FLYER weakened from two out having failed to match the winner.
GO SILVER BULLET couldn’t dominate here but he lost a shoe anyway, so it may be that this run can be set aside.
CROFTON ARCH had no chance from miles out of the handicap and was the last to finish.
BOW SCHOOL was disappointing again, a ‘nasal discharge’ being reported after he had pulled up before three out.

4.40 2m 110yds Queen Tribute Band July 27th (0-95) Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

It has taken a time for the money to drop with SHOPFRONTSPECIALST. He’s often been well backed but never quite produced what someone clearly thought he could. He put things right in emphatic fashion on this occasion, admittedly against a moderate bunch, having the race in the bag from two out.
The rest are at best a ‘win in turn’ collection. FRONT RANK ran to his level in second.
TIGER KING hinted that he is no back number in third, keeping on without threatening the first two. That being said he’s only a winner of one race and that was in 2007.
SEA COVE kept on from the rear for pressure to finish sixth and needs a stiffer test than she got here. Her rider got unbalanced on the run to the last which possibly cost her a place or two, and she might be noting in a weak contest.

5.10 2m 110yds totepool A Better Way To Bet Standard Open NH Flat Race (Class 5)

It’s difficult to draw too many conclusions from a close fought four-runner bumper.
CIANNTE saw off Hallmark Harry in a close finish with the other two held from two furlongs out. Having had a couple of respectable runs the winner was able to take an opportunity here.
HALLMARK HARRY was behind at Southwell in January but was at least competitive against one with some promising form.
FLOAT MY BOAT was outspeeded in the straight.
The fourth, BURAIMI OASIS, looked to have a bit of growing to do when I saw him at Musselburgh in December. There is probably better to come but a watching brief is advised.