Hobbs’ Presence is felt

● Minehead raider can keep up form in Perth feature

Imperial Presence flies the flag for top West Country trainer Philip Hobbs in the feature race at Perth today.

The in-form Minehead raider, who has won his last three starts at Uttoxeter, Stratford and Kempton, faces six rivals in the £25,000 Sodexo Prestige Venues And Events Killiecrankie Handicap Chase over 2m 4f.

Hobbs, the winner of 50 races from 190 runners at the Scone track since 1988, said: “He won well in the soft at Uttoxeter last time considering we thought he preferred better ground. He’s creeping up the weights but hopefully he is still progressive and should have a decent chance once again.”

Among the opposition to Imperial Presence is Charlie Longsdon’s top-weight Hammersly Lake, an impressive winner of the race 12 months ago before going on to finish fifth in the Grade 1 American Grand National at Far Hills.

Others in the line-up include Gordon Elliott’s Rightdownthemiddle, who scored over hurdles at Perth in late July, and Marracudja, representing Dan and Harry Skelton – the brothers currently heading the 2018-19 season jumps tables for leading trainer and jockey respectively.

Charlie Longsdon also saddles Royal runner Forth Bridge, owned and bred by The Queen, in the Prestige Venues And Events Handicap Chase.

After combining for a fivetimer at Perth’s last fixture on 18 August, Gordon Elliott and Richard Johnson team up in six races while Elliott has 11 runners on the seven-race card.