April 23 / 15.40 Perth

15.40

Good To Soft

Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7921.5
  • 2m 7f 180y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
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Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

Form: 9-7392 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Smart novice over fences for Gordon Elliott; not quite as good these days but fair third at Newbury in November (2m4f, good to soft) on latest chase start; now 5lb lower and, following a decent run over hurdles last time, is worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

11th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

19:42 Worcester

American Mike

11st 12lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Very smart 3m-winning chaser for Gordon Elliott in 2024/25; also scored over fences for current yard at Perth (3m) in April but beat just one when tried in cheekpieces in 2m4f handicap chase at Uttoxeter 18 days ago; reverts to hurdles off a 7lb lower mark but still has something to prove.

7/1

5th

1

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

American Mike

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Classy customer in these colours for Gordon Elliott; only his fourth run for current yard when forcing a dead-heat at Perth (3m, good; 3lb lower) and he's versatile trip-wise; likely contender in new cheekpieces.

5/4

100/30 (Won)

Form: -10168 CD

Last run: 132 days

W: 11st 3lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Six-time course winner who was runner-up in this race last year (good to soft); has since gained two C&D wins on good ground, latest in September; has plenty going for him; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:51 Perth

Statuario

12st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Gained all seven chase wins at the track, the latest a dead-heat over this trip in April (good ground); on fairly tough mark now but last month's Perth Gold Cup fourth was respectable and he probably won't be far away.

4/1

4th

5

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:27 Perth

Statuario

10st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Seeking a hat-trick in this race and on the back of a seventh course success in April when he dead-heated over this trip; not handicapped out of it after just a 3lb rise, for all that he's never defied this high a mark in the past.

13/2

1st

3

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Statuario

11st 3lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Six-time course winner who was runner-up in this race last year (good to soft); has since gained two C&D wins on good ground, latest in September; has plenty going for him; leading contender.

100/30

Form: 3U4317 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Haydock last time (3m1f, good) but successful at Doncaster before that (3m, good to soft); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

If Not For Dylan

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Thorough stayer who made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February and rebounded from a lesser effort when third at Perth (3m, good) last month; has never run here before but is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip.

6/1

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

If Not For Dylan

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Disappointing at Haydock last time (3m1f, good) but successful at Doncaster before that (3m, good to soft); each-way chance.

9/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

If Not For Dylan

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Veteran who retains enthusiasm, and he jumped well and made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February, but he's back up 6lb and probably in a stronger race here.

6/1

Form: 21-32F BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las in February 2025 (2m6f, heavy); two fair runs over fences this term (fell at the fourth last time) but taking on stronger company here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Mountain Mike

10st 5lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las in February 2025 (2m6f, heavy); two fair runs over fences this term (fell at the fourth last time) but taking on stronger company here.

3/1

1

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:10 Sedgefield

Mountain Mike

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Quick to show fairly useful (winning) form over hurdles and he's made a promising start in this sphere after 13 months off, runner-up in 3m1f handicap at Hereford 25 days ago; this lightly raced son of Mount Nelson looks to have more to offer; merits serious consideration eased 1lb.

9/4

2nd

3

7th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

16:02 Hereford

Mountain Mike

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won 2m6f Ffos Las maiden hurdle (heavy; second in a bumper on good) last February; switched to fences for his chase and handicap debut at Exeter (3m, heavy) 16 days ago and weakened as if that first outing for over 12 months was needed; open to improvement.

7/2

Form: 733P4P D

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground last season; has been rather inconsistent since wind surgery this term; has won over this trip, but perhaps better at shorter and has no easy task from 3lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Ned Tanner

11st 5lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground in 2024-25 season but has been rather inconsistent and didn't offer enough when fifth of seven over C&D (good) three weeks ago to suggest he's likely to cash in on his reduced mark now.

9/1

5th

7

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Ned Tanner

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

Dual winner over 2m4f on soft ground last season; has been rather inconsistent since wind surgery this term; has won over this trip, but perhaps better at shorter and has no easy task from 3lb out of the handicap.

12/1

3

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:41 Hexham

Ned Tanner

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: N W Alexander

He's down to a dangerous mark and showed some spark at Haydock in December three starts ago; however, two disappointing performances have followed from this 10yo and he needs to get back on track.

6/1

Form: -3P42P

Last run: 19 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Minella Drama

12st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Very useful chaser at his best, last win coming in the 2024 Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good); highly tried this term, best run when second in a Listed chase at Kelso in February (2m7f, good to soft); on a fair mark now.

9/1

1

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Minella Drama

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Inconsistent nowadays but ran well in second when facing an impossible mission behind Protektorat at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) last time; now 5lb lower than when third in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October and this C&D winner is capable of being involved.

11/1

2nd

1

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

13:40 Kelso

Minella Drama

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Smart on his day and ran creditably when third in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) in October, a race he'd won in 2024; however, two runs since have been poor and he has to concede weight all round.

11/1

Form: -73423 D

Last run: 62 days

W: 11st 1lb

8 yo Filly

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Mainly in fair form this season and can be forgiven a below-par run on testing ground at Exeter last time; these conditions suit; each-way chance with cheekpieces back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

Della Casa Lunga

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Mainly in fair form this season and can be forgiven a below-par run on testing ground at Exeter last time; these conditions suit; each-way chance with cheekpieces back on.

13/2

3rd

3

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 1

15:14 Exeter

Della Casa Lunga

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Three front-running hurdle wins in 2024 (2m5f/3m, soft/good to soft) and she was running pretty well in defeat towards the end of 2025; 10l second of four at Carlisle 17 days ago on chase debut, showing she has some way to go before she's matching today's rivals over fences.

5/1

2nd

4

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 3

14:00 Carlisle

Della Casa Lunga

10st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Three front-running hurdle wins in 2024 (2m5f/3m, soft/good to soft) and she was running pretty well in defeat against fellow mares towards the end of 2025; receives 7lb from the males today and holds leading claims if taking to fences at the first attempt.

13/8

Selections

Daily Mail:

American Mike

RP RATINGS:

If Not For Dylan

Telegraph:

Mountain Mike

TOPSPEED:

Minella Drama

Daily Mirror:

Della Casa Lunga

SPOTLIGHT:

Statuario

The Guardian:

Mountain Mike

D Express:

American Mike

The Star:

American Mike

Daily Record:

American Mike

POSTDATA:

If Not For Dylan

The Times:

If Not For Dylan

The Sun:

Minella Drama