Can the return to a right-handed track spark a return to form for Alnadam?

Thursday: 3.15 Perth
Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTV

Alnadam has become a frustrating horse. After winning a 2m4f handicap chase at Sandown last year, he went off at just 11-2 for the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival and was backed to a low of 3-1 in-running on Betfair, before faltering up the hill to finish seventh.

Since that last win, his form has regressed and his last five RPRs have taken a downward spiral that reads 147, 144, 140, 140, zero (was pulled up by Bridget Andrews on soft ground at Haydock in the Peter Marsh) and 138.

His BHA rating has followed suit and he has now dropped 8lb in the weights to the same mark as when recording his last success at Sandown. This will be his first run on a right-handed track since that victory and maybe that, coupled with the addition of cheekpieces, can spark a return to form.

However, it is worth noting that his trainer Dan Skelton is just 2-25 with runners wearing that aid for the first time since the start of last year, so that is not a ringing endorsement.

Brian Ellison has a fantastic record at Perth and that certainly boosts the chances of The King Of May. Ellison has ten winners, five seconds, three thirds and four fourths from 34 runners at the course in the last five seasons and The King Of May is just 1lb higher than when successful at Newcastle last time.

The King Of May: could give trainer Brian Ellison more Perth successCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Donald McCain is the other man to follow. He is 8-20 at Perth this season including a winner at the track on Wednesday and saddles Gaelik Coast in a bid to improve that figure. He should find this easier than when pulled up by Brian Hughes in the Red Rum at Aintree last time.

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Alnadam
He is in good form and we have been dying for it to rain and this is the softest ground we will get. The trip is no issue and neither is the track and the slower the better will be best for him, but good to soft is not an inconvenience.

Brian Ellison, trainer of The King Of May
The horse is in great form and I am very hopeful. He probably would have won last time anyway, even if Buster Valentine did not fall. Since he has stepped up to two and a half miles he has proven himself.

Stuart Coltherd, trainer of Pookie Pekan
He seems to always run quite well when he’s fresh. As long as the ground doesn’t have too much water then he should be fine and I would like to think that he’d run a big race. We could have gone three miles on Friday, but we haven’t because of the course-and-distance win in June.

Tom George, trainer of Crealion
It is the right race to run him in because one of his owners sponsors it. Win, lose or draw, he will be heading back to France after that as he made good money over there last year and I think it suits his style of racing more.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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