The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Heskin hails Perth victor
Threeunderthrufive was an impressive winner of the feature race on the opening day of the William Hill Perth Festival yesterday giving Paul Nicholls a new personal-best haul of 172.
Ridden by Adrian Heskin, the 15-8 second favourite slammed Castle Rushen by nine and a half lengths in the Listed British EBF William Hill Gold Castle “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
The winning jockey said: “He’s a lovely big horse but he’s still green and was looking about a fair bit when he was in front.
“We’re already looking to running him over fences next season when he will make a smashing novice chaser.”
Richard Patrick recorded his first success at the track aboard Fortescue for Henry Daly in the Phil Nelson
Supports Perth Handicap Chase.
The second day of the festival takes place behind closed doors today and Pistol Whipped, from the powerful Nicky Henderson stable, shoulders topweight in the Thank You Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase.
The Lambourn raider landed the Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton for Nico De Boinville, who is on board again.
Henderson doesn’t send many horses to Perth, but has enjoyed eight winners from 65 runners at Britain’s most northerly race track.
Opposition to Pistol Whipped includes Defi Sacre who was fourth over hurdles at the 2019 Perth Festival for his Cheltenham trainer Richard Hobson.
Henderson and De Boinville also team up in the William Hill Scoonieburn Handicap Hurdle with recent Exeter winner Steal A March, owned and bred by the Queen.
Danny Mcmenamin, about to be crowned champion conditional pilot, rides Nick Alexandertrained Eagle Ridge for owner Ken Mcgarrity in the Creevytennant Conditional Jockeys Veterans Handicap Chase.