June 11 / 14.25 Perth

14.25

Good

Coretrax Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 0f 47y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Coretrax Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.40
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 114-33 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Took a good while to open his account but is a three-time hurdle and dual Flat winner since December; still in good form this spring and drops in grade after creditable third at Kelso (2m, good to firm) a fortnight ago; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

14:10 Catterick

Russian Virtue

11st 7lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

8-59, although his last win came in a two-runner affair at Carlisle (2m1f; 2-5 favourite; all out) in December 2023; latest Carlisle sixth (beaten 15l; 50-1) not overly inspiring; others more obvious.

10/1

6th

7

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Russian Virtue

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Thompson

Has won six times over hurdles, the latest a two-runner affair over C&D (good to soft) in December 2023; a couple of fair runs for this yard last year but pulled up when last seen out in January (reportedly never travelling); others appeal more.

20/1

4

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Russian Virtue

11st 5lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: David Thompson

On a long losing spell and form figures of 246 this term reflect that a turnaround of sorts is required; admittedly appears well treated if that resurgence materialises, being 7lb below last winning mark.

16/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 42324- BF

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
0-10 over hurdles but has made the frame five consecutive times (2m-2m4f) since returning from a break last November and it's reasonable to expect another good run here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

13th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Garde Des Champs

11st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Hasn't the best of strike-rates but both his wins have been here, the latest over C&D last July (good) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time; disappointing up in trip here last time (didn't jump well); may have to race run to suit him but will need to jump better.

14/1

8th

5

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

15:00 Kelso

Garde Des Champs

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Largely consistent 10yo who belatedly opened his chasing account at Perth (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) last summer; absent since below-par effort in October but ran well when fresh here (2m4f, good) last spring and returns from latest break on a workable mark.

9/1

5

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

16:30 Kelso

Garde Des Champs

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Reasonably consistent and ran respectably on the bare figures over C&D most recently; however, still has a modest strike-rate, which includes a record of just 1-19 in the chase sphere.

6/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 1296-4 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner in spring 2022, latterly in this race (good ground), and returned from layoff with good Flat run last month; below form when back over hurdles here a few days later but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

15

(13)

20th Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

17:20 Ayr

Well Planted

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: R Mike Smith

Last three wins have come over hurdles, but his last three efforts in that sphere have been moderate; look elsewhere.

25/1

8th

5

9th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

15:05 Perth

Well Planted

11st 5lb

J: Derek Fox

T: R Mike Smith

C&D scorer who was tried in cheekpieces when coming in last of 12 over C&D 23 days ago; he needs to bounce back.

20/1

12th

10

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 2

18:35 Perth

Well Planted

11st 3lb

J: Derek Fox

T: R Mike Smith

Headed close home (Castel Gandolfo third) in this race last year; doesn't arrive in anywhere near the same kind of form this time around after finishing tailed off (beaten 50l) over 2m4f here last month; easing mark isn't enough to make a viable threat.

25/1

Form: 2834-2

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
A maiden after 12 starts but kept on well for second at Hexham (2m, good) last month and is also effective here; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:15 Kelso

Kilbrainy

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear throughout

6/1

8th

4

7th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

14:15 Kelso

Kilbrainy

11st 6lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear throughout

6/1

Form: U554-1 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over hurdles at sixth attempt, coming from off the pace for clearcut C&D (good) win last month; her tendency to race too freely remains a nagging concern but she could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 5

17:00 Musselburgh

Just Dottie

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: R Mike Smith

Four wins over hurdles; had few chances on the Flat but she won at Ayr in September (1m5f, soft) and showed better form when third over 1m7f 11 days later; still has some potential in this sphere and a hurdle run last month should have sharpened her up; might need more of a stamina test than this though.

6/1

6th

11

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Just Dottie

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: R Mike Smith

Easy winner off a 10lb lower mark after a break at this meeting last year (fifth over 2m here in April 2024); won another race over C&D off a pound lower than here in May (good) and also on the Flat at Ayr in September (soft); interesting.

14/1

Form: 56P6-4 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Flat and dual hurdle winner in Ireland in 2021 but unplaced all six starts for Iain Jardine since the autumn; travelled well for a long way in Hexham seller (2m, good to soft; first-time visor) last month but found very little when it mattered; sports refitted cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

(13)

11th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 6

15:20 Musselburgh

Excelcius

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Iain Jardine

slowly away, switched right soon after start, raced in last soon after start

12/1

7th

1

(10)

4th Aug 2023

Good

1m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Musselburgh

Excelcius

11st 4lb

J: Miss Hannah Crawford

T: Iain Jardine

never better than midfield

12/1

4th

4

(2)

24th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 5f 26y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Excelcius

9st 6lb

J: Archie Young

T: Iain Jardine

Flat (2m, good) and dual hurdle (2m/2m1f) winner in Ireland in 2021 but unplaced in all eight starts for Iain Jardine since the autumn; mark continues to fall but he was beaten 7l back on the Flat at Musselburgh last time and others are preferred.

14/1

Form: 3476-7 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Six-time hurdle winner, the last twice on good ground here last summer (2m/2m4f); returned from 215-day break with encouraging run at Hexham last month and has slipped to a very tempting mark; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Malangen

11st 1lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lisa Harrison

Returned to form at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) on Wednesday, when he was reeled in after blasting off in front but kept on gamely for second; also suited by this C&D and a recent 2lb drop has now taken effect but he had a hard race at Perth and has become inconsistent.

5/1

2nd

6

13th May 2026

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Malangen

11st 0lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lisa Harrison

Veteran; 12-94, four of those wins coming at his beloved Perth; showed up well for much of the contest at Hexham (2m, soft; third, beaten 33l) on Saturday evening, before tiring markedly on the uphill climb; the better ground is in his favour here but this is a quick turnaround.

11/1

3rd

8

9th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

18:15 Hexham

Malangen

10st 12lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

Has won ten of his 82 races, including over this C&D in June 2024 (good); should be all the better for last month's reappearance run at Perth; interesting.

12/1

Form: 463-18 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 9lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Late-maturing 11yo who doubled tally at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) last month; dropped out of contention rather tamely at Hexham (2m4f, good) a fortnight later but should cope with today's drop back in trip; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

22nd Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Balkalin

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

Won off this mark over hurdles at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in May and he seems versatile ground-wise; however, this 11yo hasn't been at his best more recently and needs to produce a bigger run on this belated chase debut.

12/1

5th

2

3rd Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:20 Sedgefield

Balkalin

11st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

prominent

12/1

4th

2

12th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

19:05 Kelso

Balkalin

11st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

Appeared to have a bit left in the tank when scoring off 3lb lower over C&D (good to soft) in May but not much has gone to plan since and pulled up after racing too freely at Hexham on Wednesday; comes with risk.

12/1

Form: P612-2 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Made all off lowly mark at Wetherby (2m, good) in March and finished second here on both subsequent outings (2m/2m4f); still well handicapped on older form and can't be ignored.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

25th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 51y

Class 4

15:20 Kelso

Darkest Day

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: William Young Jnr

Hasn't the best of win records (4-43 over hurdles), last win coming over 2m2f here in September 2023; good fourth over 2m5f here last month, but tailed off last time; 10lb out of the handicap.

33/1

12th

16

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Darkest Day

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: William Young Jnr

Returned to form with 2l fourth of 11 behind Looking Splendid at Kelso (2m5f, good) 11 days ago; however, it's over two years since this 10yo last won and he's even further out of the handicap this afternoon.

20/1

10th

11

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 25y

Class 5

17:30 Kelso

Darkest Day

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: William Young Jnr

Won twice here (including over C&D) in 2023 but this year's pointing form is uninspiring and he has struggled back over fences and hurdles in last three starts; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove.

40/1

Form: 400-35

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
0-16 over hurdles but hasn't been with Gordon Elliott long and comes here after two very respectable efforts at Ballinrobe (2m, good/good to yielding) last month; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Ballinlough Gale

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Gordon Elliott

midfield, not fluent 4th

11/2

5th

7

30th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 40y

19:00 Ballinrobe

Ballinlough Gale

11st 3lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Only 1-31 overall and 0-15 as a hurdler; however, it's still early days with Gordon Elliott and he hit the frame here four weeks ago off this mark, albeit finishing some 13l off the winner; needs to find extra from somewhere.

7/1

3rd

4

2nd May 2023

Yielding

2m 0f 139y

17:48 Ballinrobe

Ballinlough Gale

11st 10lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Fair sort on the Flat is 0-14 hurdling although went close off this sort of mark on a few occasions last summer on this sort of ground; two most recent efforts well below his best so needs to bounce back but quite possible given the drying ground.

7/1

Form: 7PP60-

Last run: 81 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Very well handicapped if judged on last year's Irish form but badly out of sorts since the autumn; returns from 81-day break here; considered only if lively in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:10 Uttoxeter

Faron

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won a maiden (2m2f) and a novice hurdle (2m2f) on good to yielding in Ireland last season; has been disappointing for current yard, and although well handicapped, has plenty to prove.

8/1

3rd

7

25th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Faron

11st 1lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Stuart Coltherd

raced in second, went third after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, soon outpaced, not fluent last, no match for first two

20/1

11th

6

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

14:25 Perth

Faron

11st 9lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Stuart Coltherd

always behind

25/1

Form: 366/8-

Last run: 302 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Placed twice over hurdles for Donald McCain in 2021 but well beaten in C&D maiden on last summer's stable debut and not seen again since; usual tongue-tie left off today; has too much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

15:08 Perth

Willy Nilly

10st 5lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Lisa Harrison

Unable to get seriously competitive on any of his three appearances this year (2m-2m4f) and now 0-18 over hurdles; 5lb out of the weights today; needs to prove some ability remains.

16/1

13

8th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:10 Perth

Willy Nilly

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lisa Harrison

Pretty poor in two runs after a layoff and this Flat winner is now 0-17 over hurdles.

25/1

8

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:00 Market Rasen

Willy Nilly

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lisa Harrison

Always behind at Perth (2m, good) last month, after a layoff, and now 0-16 over hurdles but might well have needed that outing and is unexposed over this sort of trip; not ruled out.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.00
Straight Forecast £59.72
Tricast £584.55
Trifecta £796.60

Selections

The Sun:

Just Dottie

POSTDATA:

Kilbrainy

The Times:

Garde Des Champs

SPOTLIGHT:

Malangen

TOPSPEED:

Faron

Telegraph:

Darkest Day

The Star:

Just Dottie

Daily Record:

Just Dottie

Daily Mirror:

Kilbrainy

D Express:

Garde Des Champs

RP RATINGS:

Malangen