Grand National hero set for Perth Festival
One for Arthur to parade at the three-day event
Grand National winner One for Arthur is to make a special appearance at Perth Racecourse’s season opener on Wednesday.
The Aintree star will kick-start the popular three-day Perth Festival, which is again set to welcome a bumper crowd.
Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski believes the Lucinda Russelltrained horse’s triumph will further add to the usual special atmosphere.
She said: “I think Arthur won’t just add numbers, but atmosphere too. He has such a presence and the fact that he is trained 20 miles away will help.
“Lucinda is such a stalwart and supporter of Perth - and I don’t think they have stopped partying! It’s going to be a fantastic start to the festival.
“In the industry there has been a lot of talk recently about how northern jump racing is the poorer relation to the southern jump racing, with all the top trainers and owners concentrated in the south and Ireland.
“But this is one back for Scotland and it has given us all of a boost.
“We have been refurbishing our champagne bar and Edinburgh Gin were sponsoring it, because they wanted us to call it the gin and champagne bar. That was the plan.
“They sponsor Lucinda Russell’s yard and when One for Arthur won the Grand National I phoned Lucinda, and the two owners, to ask to rename the bar the One for Arthur Gin and Fizz Bar.
“So he is coming on the Wednesday to open that before parading at 1.25pm.”
While One for Arthur won’t be in action, the festival will be welcoming the very best of British and Irish racing.
Dry weather has resulted in firmer ground but a new £250,000 irrigation
One for Arthur will be a popular sight at Perth
system will have conditions ideal for start-up.
“With the very dry spring, a lot of the track has gone firm,” Peplinski confirmed. “But, very timely, the new irrigation system we spent a lot of money on in the winter has already been in operation.
“We will be able to guarantee very safe jumping ground and very even application of water - the consistent ground is really important.
“It’s such a major step forward for Perth because we had a very antiquated system in the past. On top of clay soil that was very difficult to manage.
“Hopefully we don’t have any teething problems because it’s brand new. We’re all told new machinery can let you down, but at the moment it’s fantastic.”
The festival, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, has been tagged as one of the best days out on Scotland’s social calendar.
Revenue sales are up 25% compared to the same time last year and Peplinski added: “The team are all working really well and there is a real buzz about the place.
“We’re a festival with fiercely competitive racing but there aren’t the pressures of Cheltenham, Aintree and even Ayr.
“We are lower key and smaller scale, but more intimate. The atmosphere seems far more relaxed and it’s an event looked forward to by so many.
“We were lucky with the weather last year. I have a few forecasts which I look at but no forecaster will confidently tell you beyond five days.
“But the chat is for settled weather over the UK so at the moment we are irrigating with the confidence that we won’t be drowned out with water.”
Peplinski says it has been a “privilege” to lead the racecourse team since taking over the reins at the beginning of 2016. And she believes the good times are set to continue. Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski
“It was quite a brave decision for me to move because I had been at Hamilton for many years,” Peplinski told the PA.
“But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming back to the jump racing and I feel the potential of Perth is still being realised. It’s one of the jewels in the crown for Scottish racing.
“It’s a privilege to lead this team, who have all the experience and are delightful to work with.
“We have the hotel which is now a seven-day-a-week operation. That was tense because we were under a rush to get it completed. It was a baptism of fire for me.
“It’s turning into a huge success and the reviews on trip advisor are fantastic. And the chef is becoming legendary for his fish and chips!
“I’d be bullish enough to say that the future for Perth Racecourse is looking very strong.”
To purchase Perth Festival tickets, visit the racecourse’s website.