Trainer Gordon Elliott boasts a tremendous strike-rate at Perth and sends a fascinating bunch of contenders across the Irish Sea this afternoon, including Xaarcet (2.40) making his debut for the yard in the handicap chase over three miles. The selection was last seen winning a competitive handicap hurdle for Colin Tizzard at Fontwell in the spring and despite disappointing in both starts over the larger obstacles for previous connections remains open to further progression and can make it third time lucky over fences under Richard Johnson.
The pair can double-up with Bless the Wings (3.10) in the feature Stirling Cup, a handicap chase just shy of three miles. The classy chaser was rated as high as 150 when trained at Barbury Castle by Alan King and was third over C&D on his last start behind the re-opposing Kilbree Kid for Tom George and Paddy Brennan, staying on towards the line and nearest at the finish. The winner got the run of the race last month in the Perth Gold Cup however on 4lb better terms the Elliot horse can make amends accordingly.
The pair combine with Bouggietopieces in the handicap chase over two and a half miles however he is overlooked for recent winner Beidh Tine Anseo (4.40) for Lucinda Russell and regular partner Grant Cockburn. The selection capitalised on a tumbling mark last time out at Kelso, scoring from a career-low mark of 98, and despite a 4lb rise should remain ahead of the handicapper.
Rose Dobbin’s Politeness won well last time out at Wetherby and should give another good account in the handicap hurdle over the minimum trip; however Fergal O’Brien’s Tangolan (5.10) is taken to give weight and a beating to his nine rivals in the finale. The selection bounced back to form winning a point-to-point two starts prior and put his best foot forward under rules last time out over course and distance last month. The 7-y-o has been raised 4lb for chasing home subsequent winner Russian Royale however remains unexposed and open to progress further under the excellent Paddy Brennan.
At Kempton, Jeremy Noseda’s Aussie Andre (8.15) can land the feature two mile handicap, stepping up in trip under William Buick. The well-bred son of High Chaparral shed the maiden tag at the third time of asking at the track in April, before finishing well beaten on ground softer than ideal on his handicap debut at Hamilton. Back to his preferred all-weather surface he should remain competitive providing he sees out the marathon strip.
Mutawaathea (7.45) gave trainer Simon Crisford a first career success when scoring over course and distance back in April and can return to winning ways under red-hot rider Silvestre De Sousa. The ex-Richard Hannon inmate set a fair standard as a juvenile and was far from disgraced last term, winning a Lingfield maiden before disappointing in handicaps on the turf thereafter. He made a winning reappearance staying on strongly in the closing stages and, despite disappointing last time out, can bounce back accordingly in first-time cheek-pieces.
Zip Top (3.50) is a fascinating runner for John Ferguson’s Bloomfields Operation and not sighted since being pulled-up by the now retired AP McCoy in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. The selection, second behind subsequent dual Derby winner Camelot in the G1 Racing Post Trophy in 2011, won over timber at Fakenham and Southwell respectively and should prove much better than his handicap mark of 126 suggests. The 6-y-o is taken to get the better of Dr Newland’s progressive Aficionado and Jonjo O’Neill’s handicap debutant Fort Worth.
Connections can double-up with the exciting Joe Farrell (3.20) in the bumper under Sam Twiston-Davies. The selection made a winning debut under rules at Huntingdon, before running into subsequent Ben Pauling’s subsequent Aintree bumper winner Barters Hill at Warwick. He was out-classed when a beaten favourite for a warm Ascot bumper last time out however can make amends down in grade.
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