Local hope Harry The Viking out to repel the raiders in Highland National

4.15 PerthPentland Land Rover Perth Highland National Handicap Chase | 3m6½f, 5yo+ | RTV

They've come from far and wide for Perth's richest raceday, but it's one of the more local trainers who's making the boldest bid for the traditional highlight.

Berwickshire-based Sandy Thomson has three runners in the Highland National and admits he is going all out to land the £25,000 contest.

Thomson said: "We've not won the Scottish National but we've won the Borders National at Kelso and the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh so this would complete the set."

The remarkable 14-year-old Harry The Viking, who won a second Borders National in December, will be ridden by Emma Todd on his fourth crack at a 3m6½f handicap chase in which he finished third three years ago.

Harry The Viking (red) gets the better of Calett Mad in a thrilling finish to the Borders NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's probably not his race, the track's a bit sharp for him and that's probably why Rachael MacDonald has chosen to ride Blue Kascade," Thomson added.

"But he's run well in it before and was third in it a few years ago. He ran well in the Eider last time but the ground was too quick for him."

He continued: "We were delighted with Blue Kascade's run at Wetherby last time, he showed his old sparkle again and I think he'll stay. But he's a summer horse, wants good ground and I'm worried conditions will go against him as there's rain forecast overnight."

Henry Brooke is on Capard King, who was going well in second when unseating his rider at Kelso last month.

"He would want some rain," Thomson added. "We're still learning about him and we're not sure if he'll go right-handed, but we'll find out more tomorrow."

Having passed £1 million in Perth earnings on Wednesday, Gordon Elliott looks to collect more prize-money in the £35,000 TBA Fair Maid of Perth Mares' Chase with Thurles winner Mrs Lovett.

Rivals in the richest race on the card include the Henry Daly-trained Atlanta Ablaze, who was close up when falling two out in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, and the Colin Tizzard-trained Drinks Interval, who was in front when coming down at Ayr last time.

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