The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Veteran Jet Master goes for fifth victory at Perth
RACING: Drying ground sees Alexander’s 12-year-old tackle three-mile trip
Jet Master bids for his fifth course win in the feature race at Perth’s evening meeting tonight at the Hoteliers race night.
The 12-year-old, trained at Kinneston by Nick Alexander, faces 11 rivals in the £10,000 Salutation Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
Alexander, who saddles seven runners at his local venue – including top-weight Landecker in the same race – said: “With the ground drying up he hasn’t got the pace for two miles at his age. He should stay three miles and hopefully he will go well.
“He’s a veteran these days so after this we’ll probably put him away and return to Perth in September for the race he has won for the past three years.
“Landecker is one of two rides for us for Jack Andrews who is the brother of Bridget Andrews, and who is having his first rides at the course.”
In the same race, Brian Hughes gets the leg up on Mill Forge for Irish trainer Stuart Crawford while Brodie Hampson rides Benechenko for regular Perth visitor Fergal O’brien.
Cheltenham-based O’brien also has Creevytennant in the Bruce Farms Open Hunters’ Chase as Lilly Pinchin and partner once again try to land the race they scooped by 36 lengths 12 months ago.
Recently-crowned champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson is represented in the opening Grampian Hotel Maiden Hurdle by Champ, who carries the famous colours of owner JP Mcmanus.
The gelding was third on his hurdles debut at Ascot in January and sees jockey Nico de Boinville try to open his Perth account at the 10th attempt.
De Boinville, the regular partner of Champion Chase hero Altior, also rides Silk Run for Tom Lacey in the Holiday Inn Express Perth Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
Tomorrow sees the annual ladies day meeting, with only a limited number of tickets still available.
Almost 7,000 racegoers are expected to enjoy an afternoon of big fields and competitive racing, helped by a 25% increase in prize money.
Tomorrow’s feature race is the £15,000 Hardies Jewellers Handicap Hurdle, with champion jockey Richard Johnson racing on both days of the meeting.
The Breast Cancer Now charity will benefit from funds raised at Totepool Ladies Day.
Perth chief executive Hazel Peplinski said: “The summer sunshine is getting everyone in the mood for more racing and we can’t wait for our double helping of fantastic fixtures this week.
“Ladies day has again generated huge interest and anticipation and with so much happening on and off the track there is terrific value to be enjoyed.
“We’ve invested significantly in our racing this season and that is being reflected by support from some of the UK’S major trainers.
“There’s lots of entertainment before and after racing too with Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago the highlight to help racegoers dance on into the night.”
A limited number of ladies day grandstand tickets are available at £25.
Gates open at 11.30am with the first race scheduled at 2pm and the last race at 5.20pm.
Grandstand tickets for tonight are on sale for £20.