Shoeshine Boy runs at Perth, Friday

Not much luck yesterday with Anny McPhee, who never really got going in a good class novice hurdle, and Craig sensibly pulled her up around halfway.

Perth 25th April : 3.52 pm 3m 2½f Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)

So, 3rd Day of the Perth Spring Festival, and Shoeshine Boy finds himself in a very competitive handicap hurdle. Over a shorter distance and fast-ish ground at Kelso last time, our gelding couldn't ever land a blow, so we hope the slightly softer ground today will be more to his liking. Genuine soft ground and we might start to get excited (he's races today from a winnable mark) but this good to soft is probably as good as we'll get at this time of year.

Guard the Moon is another who would surely appreciate a softer surface and he has the form from last Autumn to be a major contender.
 
Lucinda runs a couple, with the seemingly better fancied Jem In Em preferred in the market but he is taking a step up in class here, off a low weight though. But her other runner is very interesting first time in a handicap. King of Answers was thought good enough to take in the Sefton Hurdle at Aintree last time.

Kilbarry Hill is another sure to be fancied but there is slight doubts about him seeing out this 3 miles 2 furlongs and change trip.

Felicie du Maquis is a lightly raced, progressive 10 year old mare, seeking a hat-trick (not many of these around) and may just about prove best here.

A cracking race!

Mouse and his cohorts always make the best of a day out, and good luck to the lads and Murray Dodd.