Welsh raider Gayebury takes first day glory at Perth Festival

PERTH: Evan Williams’ Welsh raider wins first Listed race at the track

Evan Williams-trained Gayebury landed the EBF Stallions Gold Castle “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, the first Listed race to be staged at the Scone track.

The Welsh raider, sent off at 3-1, saw off Robbin’hannon by three-and-threequarter lengths and winning jockey Tom O’Brien said: “If you forgive him a moderate run in the Pertemps Final his form is pretty impressive as you always need plenty of luck in that Cheltenham race.

“He gave me a great spin today and ideally he would like softer ground. He’s a had a terrific season and looks the right type to go chasing one day.”

The finish of the day saw Philip Hobbs’ Royal Village and champion jockey Richard Johnson scramble home by a nose at odds of 8-15 in the Joseph Perrier “Party Has Started” Maiden Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson, almost certain to be crowned champion trainer again when the jumps campaign ends on Saturday, is double-handed on day two of the Perth Festival today.

The Lambourn handler is represented by Top Ville Ben in the opening Murrayshall Hotel And Golf Courses Novices’ Hurdle and Full Shift in the All New Discovery River Tay Handicap Chase.

The pair are rare raiders from Henderson’s Berkshire yard which has produced one winner from eight runners at Perth in the past five seasons.

Full Shift, who carries the colours of JP McManus, was a close second when last seen out at Kempton in February.

Also in the line-up for the £25,000 handicap chase are top-weight Special Catch, trained by Malcolm Jefferson, Venetia Williams’ Uhlan Bute and the Dan Skelton-trained Value At Risk.

Sizing John will head for his summer break on top of the world after winning an epic renewal of the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup yesterday.

Jessica Harrington’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was the 9-10 favourite to follow up on home turf and did so in the most dramatic style in the hands of Robbie Power.

The Mark Bradstock-trained Coneygree led the way and was still in front rounding the home turn with Djakadam and Sizing John cruising up ominously.

There was little to choose between the three jumping the final fence, but Sizing John got up to edge out Djakadam by a short head.