Will Menorah Pep up Perth chief Hazel?
THE appearance of 165-rated Menorah in the Perth Gold Cup is a rare treat for racing fans, not least of all Perth chief executive Hazel Peplinski.
But the new racecourse supremo may have to bear some disappointment, as her favourite animal tries to give 21lb to Paul Nicholls ’Valco De Touzaine.
A seven- year- old, as opposed to the 11-year-old Menorah, Valco De Touzaine had a recent prep run over hurdles at Newton Abbot, to get him ready for today’s £15,640 prize bid.
He steps up to three miles for the first time, which should bring out more from Nicholls’ charge. But it will be a tremendous battle between two topclass chasers.
Chris Gordon brings Hall ingham up from Hampshire for the two-mile handicap hurdle. The return to the minimum trip could be what the six-year-old needs.
He was a winner at Plumpton on good ground four weeks ago. But then faded in the later stages when third to Sir Dylan at Stratford, stepped up by two and a half furlongs.
Sir Dylan has franked the effort by winning comfortably again, when three-and-a-half lengths too good for The partys over last Sunday, so the form looks strong.
At Goodwood, Stratum probably just needed the run and found the heavy ground against him when beaten a head by Angel Grace at Nottingham in April.
The strength of that race has worked out well, with the third, fourth and fifth all winning since and his autumn maiden has also developed into a decent contest.