bet365 Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 5m 53.07s

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Selected odds by:

Hang In There³²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 151

11/2

Veteran who scored off 4 lb higher at Uttoxeter last summer. Well held in graded events at Cheltenham after a break in March but made more of an impact back in a handicap at Newton Abbot last month, his jumping ultimately letting him down. Close second to Statuario in this last year.

Form: 324P9-4

Riaan^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

11/2

Posted best effort of last season when good sixth of 20 in handicap chase at Cheltenham Festival and backed that up when second at Punchestown the following month. This less competitive so needs considering.

Form: P/00462-

Tullybeg^t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: C P Millar⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 136| D

12/1

Potentially on a fair mark on the pick of last summer's form and hinted at a revival under considerate handling at Ballinrobe 2 weeks ago. Worth noting if the market speaks in his favour.

Form: 3039P-5

Annsam⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134| D

11/1

Winless last term and probably no better than his latest third over C&D 6 weeks ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: P4P333-

Statuario⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 128| CD

9/4

Four-time course winner who will surely regain the winning thread soon given how he shaped when second to a subsequent winner over C&D 6 weeks ago. Won this last year off 2 lb lower.

Form: 540032-

Stans The Man^b,t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 127| D

10/3

Resumed winning ways on the back of breathing surgery at Fakenham last month and looked better than ever when following up at Stratford last week. Forced into a higher grade now but this likeable type should remain competitive.

Form: 22P5-11

Ballintubber Boy^t1,v²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| BF

13/2

Boasts a good strike rate over hurdles, readily adding to his tally at Huntingdon (25f) in October. Just respectable efforts switched to chasing in a couple of small-field handicaps at Ludlow 7 months apart and must improve in this more competitive affair. Tongue strap on.

Form: 4/1812-2

Non-Runners

Young Buster⁶⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Statuario (9/4), Stans The Man (10/3), Young Buster (4/1), Hang In There (11/2), Riaan (11/2), Ballintubber Boy (13/2), Annsam (11/1), Tullybeg (12/1)

STATUARIO won this last year off 2 lb lower and he looks ready to defend his crown given how he shaped behind a subsequent winner over C&D 6 weeks ago. Young Buster is only 4 lb higher for his wide-margin win at Kempton so rates the main threat ahead of Riaan, who arrives on the back of 2 good efforts at the Cheltenham/Punchestown Festivals.