Wednesday 23rd April 2025
1.48 Perth: Welcome To The Perth Festival Maiden Hurdle: KEVIN’S PRIDE should be tough to beat here for John McConnell and J J Slevin. He’s been the runner-up in all three of his starts over hurdles, including on his seasonal reappearance at Limerick earlier this month. He should come on for that run and this looks like a fine opportunity for him to open his account. Kevin’s Pride – 6/4 (Win) (NAP)
2.00 Catterick: racingtv.com Apprentice Handicap: GLORY FIGHTER has been running well as of late without winning and posted another solid effort when fifth of seventeen at Doncaster last month, and just two and a quarter lengths behind the winner. He drops into Class 6 company here off a mark that’s two pounds lower than his last winning one, with a further five coming off his back via Warren Fentiman’s five-pound claim. A bold showing could be on the cards. Glory Fighter – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2.18 Perth: GS Group Balnakeilly Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: RATTLING ROAD has been in fine form over the winter, winning back-to-back novice chases before finishing half of a length second when we last saw him at Newcastle in February. Jack Power takes off five pounds here, which means he’ll effectively contest this off three pounds lower than the Newcastle, and Lucinda Russell’s charge could well go in again. Rattling Road – 3/1 (Win)
2.38 Ludlow: Feathers Novices’ Hurdle: BRENDAS ASKING has plenty of experience for a novice and already has a handicap victory to her name. She found graded company at Aintree and Cheltenham too hot on her last two outings, and these appear to be calmer waters despite a Mullins hotpot at the top of the betting. She’ll also carry a low weight here with her rider taking off ten pounds. Brendas Asking – 10/3 (Win)
2.48 Perth: British EBF Gold Castle “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle: MISTER MEGGIT won a novice hurdle on by just shy of five lengths on his first start of the season at Aintree in November, and his only other start of the season also came at Aintree when finishing a fine fourth in the Grade 1 Sefton earlier this month, just two and a half lengths behind the winner. That’s the best form on offer here, and if he runs to that level again, he should be tough to beat in this. Mister Meggit – 9/4 (Win)
4.04 Catterick: ANIMATE looks to hold a big chance here for Geoffrey Harker and Sam James. He made his seasonal reappearance here over six furlongs earlier this month when finishing fourth of eleven, which was a solid run that he should improve on. He’s been dropped a further pound for that effort and will contest this off a pound lower than his last winning mark, with that success also coming at this course. Animate – 2/1 (Win) (NB)
