Dumbarton to Perth......

.....is about 65 miles as the crow flies, should such a bird attempt the flight.

But if that bird did arrive at Perth Racecourse today, he - plus several members of the human species - would see one of our fine handicap hurdlers in action. Round about 5.15pm, Dumbarton will line up to face 9 rivals in a good quality Class 3 2m 4f handicap hurdle. The gelding has been in fine form in his couple of runs for the yard in the last few months and we hope he can continue in that vein today.

It's a slight step up in class, for sure, and we've taken the gelding back to 2m 4f after his last outing at 3 miles. He travels smoothly through his races, and we hope the predicted deluge holds off for a few hours as he wouldn't want the ground too soft.

What of the opposition?

There are several runners who are approaching the veteran stage of their careers. Nicky's Malin Bay has been a fair hurdler at best and showed a glimpse of that form when 3rd here in June, while if Brother Ali's 10 yr old Glacial Rock returned to his form of a year ago he would trot up, but he's still a maiden over jumps. Another 10yr old Handsome Dan, while exposed, has been running to the best of his ability of late. Best of the 'aged' horses though is the Crawford Brothers' Now This Is It, a useful hurdler at best and Dickie Johnston is an eye catching booking for the 12 yr old.

Green Zone looks exposed on his handicap mark and, while a winner last time, is upped in class, while Badged looks off form. There's a couple of useful flat performers in the field as well. Candlish's Mao Chinn Tire who is lightly raced over jumps in recent years but is a fair hurdler at best, and it'll be interesting to see how he takes the return to hurdles at 9yr of age. Top weight Mountainside - ex Bloomfields, now with Mark Walford -is classy but unproven at 2m 4f and is not sure to get the trip on breeding.
Which leaves Ruaraidh High who won at the end of July for Chris Bealby before he handed over the running of the stable to Laura Morgan, formerly an assistant to Jonjo. Capable of the form to win this race, but takes a bit of a step up in class.

Now This Is It and Ruaraidh High may pose the main threats to Dumbarton in what is quite a competitive race.

Dumbarton (Garry, white face) in a recent spin up the gallop