Under orders:

Perth race fans ready for latest meet. Page 10

And they’re off...

Thousands of people will descend on Britain’s most northerly horse racing track today for the launch of a record-breaking season.

For the first time, the prize money offered at Perth Racecourse has topped £1 million.

Across all 15 fixtures, owners and jockeys will be competing for a prize pot of close to £1.25m – an overall increase of nearly one-third.

The season-opener at Scone Palace Park is a three-day festival which will feature Perth’s richest ever race and a musical appearance by Radio One breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw.

Day one has seven races, including the EBG Stallions Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, with a £25,000 prize up for grabs.

Two years ago, Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins had his first winner at Perth in this race and it has since become a magnet for some of the country’s most successful trainers.

History will be made on day two when Perth prize money hits £103,000 – the first time a meeting at the course has been worth six-figures.

The richest ever race at Perth, the £35,000 Fair Maid of Perth Mares’ Steeplechase, will take place on the third and final day of the festival.

Covering more than three miles, the event is designed to attract some of the finest racehorses from across the UK, Ireland and France.

A bronze trophy has been made by artist Gordon Muir to commemorate the race. It depicts Catharine Glover, the heroine of Sir Walter Scott’s Fair Maid of Perth.

After the last race, Nick Grimshaw will entertain the crowds with a 90-minute DJ set.

Perth Racecourse chief executive Hazel Peplinski said: “Excitement here at Perth is already sky high ahead of the 2018 season, with a real focus on track action and achieving the best possible spectacle for racegoers.”

She added: “Our three-day Perth Festival is a cracking way to start the season. We’ve been working hard to put in place the strongest possible offering for owners and trainers and we’re excited by the feedback we’ve enjoyed so far this year.”

Excitement here at Perth is already sky high ahead of the 2018 season. HAZEL PEPLINSKI

Today sees the first day of the Perth Festival, the racecourse’s annual threeday season opener.

Daryl Jacob, crowned leading jockey at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, will be travelling to the UK’s most northerly track for just one ride as Perth begins its new season in style.

His mount is on Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 142-rated Calett Mad for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede in the first day feature, the Listed £25,000 EBF Stallions Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Jacob, who has recorded a healthy four winners from just six rides at the Scone track in the past five years, said: “He has won from the front and from hold up tactics as we did at Musselburgh in February.

“He also won over course and distance on easy ground last backend, and he’s also got winning form over fences.

“It’s a nice prize to go for at this time of the year.”

Lucinda Russell’s Bialco, Knockrobin for Donald McCain, and Jamie Snowden’s Lambourn raider Scorpion Sid complete the impressive line-up for the three-mile event.

Allysson Monterg shoulders topweight for Gloucestershire trainer Richard Hobson in the £20,000 Phil Nelson Handicap Chase over nearly three miles.

Trained near Cheltenham, he has finished third at Uttoxeter since being pulled up in the RSA Chase at his local course on just his second start over fences.

Among the opposition in a competitive 11-strong field is Ballyben, the first Perth runner for Ruth Jefferson who took over the licence following the death of her father Malcolm in February.

The 2018 Perth action gets under way with the aptly-named Joseph Perrier “The Party Has Started” Maiden Hurdle.

Lovely Schtuff, a winning point-topointer, is an interesting contender trained by Britain’s most northerly handler, Inverurie-based Jackie Stephen.

The seven-race card sees runners trained in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales with leading trainers such as Venetia Williams, Tom George, Nicky Richards, Nick Alexander, Iain Jardine and Sandy Thomson all represented.

The annual Perth Festival takes place from today to Friday with the course’s richest ever race, the prestigious £35,000 Fair Maid of Perth Mares’ Steeplechase over three miles on the final day.

Grandstand tickets are available from £20.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Thousands are expected to attend the Perth Festival, which starts today.

Picture: Getty Images. Daryl Jacob: Travels north for one ride at Perth, on Calett Mad.