19 challengers for Perth Gold Cup

Top field for richest ever meet

Paul Nicholls-trained grey Alcala is the top-rated of 19 entries for the Energy Check City of Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase on Sunday, the track’s richest ever race.

It was around this time last year that the Somerset raider – now on a BHA mark of 148 – embarked on a winning streak that saw him complete five consecutive victories for his trainer, who has saddled four winners from his last nine runners in the past five seasons at the Scone venue.

Next highest rated – on 147 – is last year’s hero Beeves, trained by Jennie Candlish and carrying the colours of border couple Paul and Clare Rooney.

Also a winner at last year’s Perth Festival, Beeves finished seventh in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson is represented by recent Ludlow scorer Baden, who also landed the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown in March, and Laurium.

Nicky Richards, the winning trainer in 2016 with Gold Future, is double-handed with Looking Well and Takingrisks.

Sandy Thomson has entered Seldom Inn and Charmix while a third Scottish entry appears in the shape of Iain Jardine’s Rainy City.

Tom George (2015 Kilbree Kid) and Peter Bowen (2012 Mumbles Head) are two other previous winning trainers bidding for more success with Sadler’s Risk and Henllan Harri respectively.

The course is preparing for its richest ever meeting with the Class 2 Gold Cup, backed by new sponsor The Energy Check, offering a £40,000 prize.