Peter Bowen lands course’s richest race on final day of Perth Festival

Chic Name lands Highland National for proud trainer

Chic Name was a game winner of the Heineken UK Highland National for rookie jockey Tom Broughton and trainer Richard Hobson on the final day of the Perth Festival.

The Cheltenham raider, sent off at 17-2, pipped Lac Sacre by a length and a quarter with Onderun a neck back in third.

Broughton, 20, was riding just his second winner under rules while Hobson was saddling his second strike of the week at Britain’s most northerly venue.

A delighted Hobson said: “I’ve had an idea of trying to win this as a trainer as I owned the 2010 winner Omix D’Or who won a bit easier than this horse!

“The ground was against him when he pulled up at Kelso but he ran well to finish fifth in the Cross County Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

“Tom’s 10lb allowance was handy and he hasn’t been with me too long. Chic Name is a horse I claimed out of a race in France and he stayed very well.”

Broughton added: “This was my first ride at Perth and it’s only the second time I’ve been to Scotland.

“The race went pretty smoothly and I thought he was idling in front and had plenty in reserve.”

James Bowen rode his fourth winner of the three-day Perth Festival when Rons Dream landed the TBA Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase, and at £35,000, won the richest race ever staged at the Scone track.

Winning trainer Peter Bowen, whose 550-mile horsebox journey from Wales took 12 hours, said: “She’s had a good season and it’s great to win such a nice prize.

“It was unlucky that she was brought down at Ayr last week and that will be her for the season now as she has been on the go a long time.”

Next up for Perth is an evening meeting on May 16, before the hugely popular Ladies Day fixture the following day.

Kemboy provided Willie Mullins with yet another winner at this year’s Punchestown Festival following a comprehensive victory in the EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase.

Despite the burden of joint topweight, Paul Townend’s mount was a heavily-backed 11-4 favourite for this 100,000 euro handicap and travelled powerfully on the heels of the leaders for much of the two miles and five furlongs.

A Rated gave the market leader a lead into the home straight, but Kemboy soon took his measure and powered clear for a five-length success.

Picture: Angus Findlay. Eventual winner Rons Dream at the back of the field as Two Smokin Barrels and Plaisir D’Amour lead the way in the TBA Fair Maid of Perth Mares’ Chase.

Peter Bowen: Took the £35,000 prize with Rons Dream.