Perth Tips

Gordon Elliott runs two in this race and the fact that Sean Bowen is on Celtic Alliance suggests that she’s the first string. She was a comfortable winner at Clonmel on debut earlier this month and is in receipt of a hefty four-year-old allowance here.

Handicap debutant A King Of Magic has progressed with each run over hurdles so far and the form of his Taunton victory has been boosted by the runner-up, who managed to win next time. There should be more to come in this sphere and 117 looks like a workable opening mark.

Timefortom ran well on his first couple of starts over hurdles, finishing second on both occasions, and he was beaten by a short head at Kelso in October. There were excuses for his most recent run and handicaps could very well be the way to go.

Paul Nicholls doesn’t send runners to Perth too regularly but it’s worth taking note when he does. Toothless won nicely at Windsor in January and has since finished second twice. The best is yet to come from him and better ground will certainly help.

American Mike was a classy operator in bumpers and his best form over hurdles and fences is very respectable. He beat Fact To File in a beginners’ chase back in 2023 and is also a Grade 2 winner over fences. A return to form can’t be ruled out in this much easier race.

Mister Ursus took a big step forward when bolting up in a Fakenham maiden hurdle last month and there was lots to like about that performance. The handicapper put him up 3lb for that success, which could be generous, and the five-year-old is making his handicap debut here.

Storm The Dug has shown very small signs of improvement with each start so far and his most recent effort in a Musselburgh maiden hurdle was respectable. Handicaps are likely to facilitate a significant amount of improvement and he should be much more more competitive here.

Sir Carnegie won a couple of times in a lower grade in the autumn and was entitled to need the run on his first start after a lengthy break at Newcastle last time. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds since and his trainer has a very good course record.