O’Brien’s raider to shock rivals in Kilmany Cup

Pantxoa heads Cheltenham trainer’s triple threat on return to Perth

Fergal O’Brien heads to Perth with three runners from his base in the Cotswolds and PANTXOA is backed to sping a surprise in the feature race for the Kilmany Cup.

Russian Regent and Baileys Concerto, who were separated by a neck in first and second in the race last year, line up again but the Cheltenham raider gets the nod.

O’Brien, whose course strike-rate is almost one win in three races, said: “He won first time up for us in a hunter chase at Newton Abbot in the spring but the ground was too soft at Cheltenham and he ended up pulling a shoe off.

“He’s back in a handicap which looks like a very competitive race.”

Uttoxeter winner King Muro sets the ball rolling for O’Brien in the Muckle Media’s Miracle Miles Novices’ Handicap Chase but Iain Jardine’s MY

LITTLE CRACKER is expected to prevail.

The seven-year-old has started favourite in her last three races, winning twice, but found Royal Debutante too hot last time out at Market Rasen.

O’Brien’s final runner is Tangolan, who bids to land the Edinburgh Gin Handicap for the second year running.

O’Brien said: “He had a nice prep run at Market Rasen last month, which was his first race since early October. We’re expecting him to go well again.”

Gold Cup-winning jockey Davy Russell pays his first visit to the course for over five years, and has three mounts including Fagan for Gordon Elliott in the Heineken UK Novices’ Chase. The five-runner line-up also features

BEAT THAT for newly-crowned champion trainer Nicky Henderson.

WENTWORTH FALLS should be followed closely for those seeking riches at Thirsk.

Trained in nearby Thirkleby by the capable Geoff Harker, the five-year-old grey is not at the summit of the weights on a whim and has the form in the bank to suggest a big run is on its way. SELECTIONS:

PERTH: 2.10 All’s Quiet, 2.40 My Little Cracker, 3.10 Bell Weir, 3.40 Pantxoa, 4.10 Man With Van, 4.40 Beat That, 5.10 An Fear Ciuin.

THIRSK: 2.00 Arcavallo, 2.30 Raven’s Raft, 3.00 Give Em A Clump, 3.30 WENTWORTH FALLS (NAP), 4.00 Mango Chutney, 4.30 Original Choice, 5.00 Envisaging, 5.30 Mitchum.

DOUBLE: Wentworth Falls and Pantxoa