Top jockey with 57 per cent return at Perth travels there for one ride

Daryl Jacob will make the lengthy journey all the way to Perth Racecourse on Thursday for just one ride. That in itself is extremely interesting and we haven’t even looked at the horse yet.

He will take the ride on the Sneezy Foster-trained Ballycairn in the opening 1.20pm race. It is a maiden hurdle over 2m4f and with good ground forecast, everything looks set for a big run.

To put a fly in the ointment, Foster has two runners in the field. She also runs the likely favourite Calagogo and Sean Bowen will take the ride on that runner.

However, given Jacob’s recent record at Perth this season, he could be the one to side with. He has ridden four winners from seven rides at the track this season which is an incredible 57 per cent return.

Ballycairn in more detail

Extremely well bred by Fame And Glory, Ballycairn is a six-year-old who has been out of sorts in two starts this year. He was beaten 58 lengths when last at Fairyhouse in a bumper in May and was beaten 84 lengths over hurdles at Punchestown in May.

Clearly, he will not be winning this race unless he finds significant improvement but there is some hope. He finished third behind Grade 1 winner Kilcruit at Navan on debut which is standout form in this race.

Ballycairn subsequently went on to win impressively in a Leopardstown bumper last December. If he can reproduce that form here, then he could be a tough nut to beat.

Gordon Elliott had an incredible record with his runners at Perth in the past. Now with Foster at the helm, she should carry along in similar fashion.

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