April 24 / 14.05 Perth

14.05

Good

QuinnBet Highland National Handicap Chase (For The Julian Llewellen Palmer Memorial Trophy) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 3m 6f 121y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
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QuinnBet Highland National Handicap Chase (For The Julian Llewellen Palmer Memorial Trophy) (GBB)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4-4252

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences but three times runner-up in this discipline and latest Warwick conqueror (3m5f, good to soft) was completing a hat-trick; likely to run well off an untouched mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

El Granjero

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-5 over fences but three times runner-up in this discipline and latest Warwick conqueror (3m5f, good to soft) was completing a hat-trick; likely to run well off an untouched mark.

7/1

2nd

1

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

El Granjero

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Ran poorly dropped back to 2m4f at Sandown last time but consistent otherwise and has shown clear signs that he's capable of winning a chase; possibly open to improvement at this new trip and one to consider.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 2-2333

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Only 1-21 overall and clearly hard to win with, but he was runner-up in this 12 months ago and returns in form having been running well from 2m4f to 3m; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Busty Boy

11st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

Only 1-22 under rules and clearly hard to win with but he arrives in form having placed in a second successive Highland National here (3m6f, good) last month; just as effective over this shorter distance.

7/2

2nd

6

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Busty Boy

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Daragh Bourke

Only 1-21 overall and clearly hard to win with, but he was runner-up in this 12 months ago and returns in form having been running well from 2m4f to 3m; in the mix.

5/1

3rd

4

31st Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

15:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Busty Boy

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Daragh Bourke

Sole win under rules came in a handicap chase in 2023 (2m7f, soft); stays 3m6f but nearly won over this far at Carlisle on his reappearance and not disgraced since.

6/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: -48665

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner; has been expensive to follow over fences (0-9) and fair to say that others arrive here in better form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

President Scottie

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Dual hurdle winner; has been expensive to follow over fences (0-9) and fair to say that others arrive here in better form.

9/1

5th

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

President Scottie

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Respectable third (off 12lb higher) when favourite for this race last year but was in better form at the time; last of six finishers returned to this C&D most recently, taking chase record to 0-8.

10/1

Form: -46P31

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Not as good as he was but has turned a corner following wind surgery and came home clear at Sedgefield (3m2f, good); that race fell apart in behind but he would probably have won anyway; raised 8lb but had become very well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

15:50 Cartmel

Stratagem

12st 0lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Mickey Bowen

Has looked in good nick since returning from wind surgery; however, he was close up behind Caughtinyourtrance here last month and he's 8lb higher now after winning a Class 3 handicap over 3m5f here two days later by 7.5l (Fairlawn Flyer third); he's still a major player with James Murray, aboard last time, again up top.

7/2

Form: 355421 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
If the ground is bordering on good then this 8yo could take some beating as he hosed up at Warwick last month (3m, good) on his second run after a break; the 8lb rise isn't the end of the world.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Fever Dream

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

If the ground is bordering on good then this 8yo could take some beating as he hosed up at Warwick last month (3m, good) on his second run after a break; the 8lb rise isn't the end of the world.

100/30

1st

8

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Fever Dream

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Following a break he reverted to fences at Kempton (3m) 12 days ago and returned to form with a 3l second on his favoured good ground; that performance reads well and he's high on the list today.

9/2

2nd

8

14th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:28 Kempton

Fever Dream

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Christian Williams

Can go well fresh; returns from a break on a favourable mark, just 1lb higher than his latest chase win, at Worcester (2m7f, good) last July; bled from the nose when tailed off over hurdles in October so wellbeing unknown but has possibilities, especially if the ground is good.

5/1

Form: 4-52P3

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Pulled up two runs ago but solid efforts in defeat on either side of that and he's an assured stayer at this trip; the blinkers are new, as were the cheekpieces when third at Kelso last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Breeze Of Wind

11st 0lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Pulled up two runs ago but solid efforts in defeat on either side of that and he's an assured stayer at this trip; the blinkers are new, as were the cheekpieces when third at Kelso last month.

10/1

3rd

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 39y

Class 2

15:13 Kelso

Breeze Of Wind

10st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Strong stayer who was 6lb out of the weights when runner-up in the Scottish Borders National here in December; off the same mark for this but has to bounce back from a pretty poor run at Bangor; cheekpieces added.

12/1

Form: P-P066

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown in March of last year (yielding); this season hasn't gone so well but it wasn't too bad a run on his return to fences at Downpatrick last time (3m4f; yielding to soft) and unwise to put a line through him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

12

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

19:30 Sligo

Brandt

11st 4lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Cian Collins

Dual chase winner has run well at times in defeat over hurdles but only three runs in this sphere in last two years; needs to do more.

16/1

7th

4

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Brandt

11st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Won a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown in March of last year (yielding); this season hasn't gone so well but it wasn't too bad a run on his return to fences at Downpatrick last time (3m4f; yielding to soft) and unwise to put a line through him.

10/1

6th

11

29th Mar 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 4f 120y

16:27 Downpatrick

Brandt

10st 6lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Good form last winter, notably winning a 3m4f handicap chase at Leopardstown; struggled in the spring in the Scottish National and in a valuable Punchestown handicap; should be better for a recent hurdles run.

14/1

Form: P11553 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Went chasing last summer and he's won four times from 3m to 3m2f; now high in the ratings but still ran very well from the front at Carlisle last month (3m); unproven over this far and he does race up with the pace.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Upfordebate

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Neville

Went chasing last summer and he's won four times from 3m to 3m2f; now high in the ratings but still ran very well from the front at Carlisle last month (3m); unproven over this far and he does race up with the pace.

8/1

3rd

8

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Upfordebate

10st 8lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Patrick Neville

Perhaps in the grip of the assessor since the last of his four wins this term; Paddy Hanlon's 5lb claim may offer some help but this assignment looks difficult.

14/1

5th

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:38 Sedgefield

Upfordebate

11st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Patrick Neville

Made very good progress in second half of last year, with the last two of his four wins gained over C&D (soft; also suited by good); returned from ten-week break with very respectable effort in 0-130 grade at Carlisle (3m, good to soft) last month and might still be on the upgrade.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: P0UPF3

Last run: 9 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Had smart form when with Gordon Elliott before losing his way and selling for £3,000; fell midrace on stable debut but, with the cheekpieces back on, he outran odds of 100-1 to finish a fairly close third at Haydock (3m4f, good); if as good again here then he could have some say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Fortunedefortunata

12st 0lb

J: Jack Power

T: Patrick Morris

Had smart form when with Gordon Elliott before losing his way and selling for £3,000; fell midrace on stable debut but, with the cheekpieces back on, he outran odds of 100-1 to finish a fairly close third at Haydock (3m4f, good); if as good again here then he could have some say.

20/1

3rd

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Fortunedefortunata

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Patrick Morris

Mostly campaigned in competitive staying chases when with Gordon Elliott and did not accomplish much this season; £3,000 buy in February but fell mid-race here 11 days ago on debut for new yard; cheekpieces (tried once) return; major questions to answer.

66/1

Form: 6P4045 C

Last run: 51 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
3-24 over hurdles and 1-8 as a chaser; left Gavin Cromwell after finishing tailed off in a claiming hurdle in early March (tried blinkers); needs a revival and he's got a lot of weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:16 Perth

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Clare Ellam

Struggled with consistency towards the end of his time in Ireland, and failed to stay 3m6f on April's stable debut; more in his favour here, but others more persuasive.

20/1

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Noble Birth

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Clare Ellam

3-24 over hurdles and 1-8 as a chaser; left Gavin Cromwell after finishing tailed off in a claiming hurdle in early March (tried blinkers); needs a revival and he's got a lot of weight.

33/1

Form: 51F43P

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Superior hurdle form is reflected in this lower chase mark; 0-8 in this discipline but was third over 3m4f at Leopardstown before pulling up in a Listed handicap at Navan; no surprise to see him run well as drying ground won't faze him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Gringo Daubrelle

11st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Gordon Elliott

Superior hurdle form is reflected in this lower chase mark; 0-8 in this discipline but was third over 3m4f at Leopardstown before pulling up in a Listed handicap at Navan; no surprise to see him run well as drying ground won't faze him.

10

21st Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 7f 150y

16:17 Navan

Gringo Daubrelle

10st 10lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Gordon Elliott

0-7 over fences with an 18lb lower mark in this sphere; easily won a Listed hurdle here in December (3m2f, soft to heavy); fell back over fences at Punchestown next time before making a couple of jumping errors when a beaten 5-2 favourite over 3m here in February (heavy); stayed on for third at Leopardstown last time (3m5f, yielding to soft).

10/1

3rd

5

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 4f 61y

16:55 Leopardstown

Gringo Daubrelle

11st 10lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Gordon Elliott

Lightly raced for a horse of his age; wide-margin winner of a valuable 3m handicap hurdle at Navan in December (3m2f, soft to heavy); fell at the sixth back over fences next time; fourth behind both So They Tell Me and Promontory at Navan last time (3m, heavy); made a couple of mistakes on that occasion; has 18lb lower mark in this sphere but the ones ahead the last day are preferred.

8/1

Form: -31141

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Only defeat in his last four races came in a good-quality 3m4f handicap at Windsor; jumped well and stayed on best at Chepstow last time (2m7f, soft) where the front two pulled well clear; raised 7lb but Ned Fox takes away 3lb out of that; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Express Surprise

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Only defeat in his last four races came in a good-quality 3m4f handicap at Windsor; jumped well and stayed on best at Chepstow last time (2m7f, soft) where the front two pulled well clear; raised 7lb but Ned Fox takes away 3lb out of that; respected.

13/2

1st

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Express Surprise

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Back-to-back wins at Wetherby (3m, soft) and Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) before finding a Class 3 beyond him at Windsor (3m4f), though didn't run at all badly; considered back at this level.

4/1

Non-runners

Gringo dAubrelle

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.10
Straight Forecast £22.35
Tricast £137.44
Trifecta £148.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Fever Dream

The Guardian:

Express Surprise

RP RATINGS:

Stratagem

The Times:

Upfordebate

SPOTLIGHT:

Brandt

TOPSPEED:

Busty Boy

D Express:

Express Surprise

Daily Mail:

Fever Dream

Daily Mirror:

Fever Dream

The Sun:

Fever Dream

The Star:

Fever Dream

Daily Record:

Fever Dream

POSTDATA:

Stratagem