'I'd dearly love to win it' - Bailey gunning for glory in memory of old friend

4.20 Perth
bet365 Sam Morshead Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV

El Presente and Potterman, who won a dramatic bet365 Gold Cup decided in the stewards' room, are set to renew their rivalry for a fourth time as a field of 15 line up for the Perth Gold Cup.

Potterman claimed the Sandown prize in April despite initially finishing second after the stewards took a negative view of Enrilo's interference with Kitty's Light.

El Presente, trained by Kim Bailey, was a close-up fourth that day and his trainer believes a much-needed wind operation in March last year has been the key to the improving eight-year-old, who can count victory in Wincanton's Badger Beers Silver Trophy among four wins from his last seven starts.

Bailey said: "He had a fantastic season and I was absolutely thrilled with him. He’s had a bit of a break since Sandown and it was always the intention to come to Perth with him.

El Presente (centre): an impressive winner of the Badger Beers Silver Trophy last NovemberCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

"We’re adding cheekpieces to make him a little bit sharper because he can tend to disappear through his races and on a flat track where they’ll be going quick he can’t afford to do that. The wind operation he had after Huntingdon was the turning point for him and he’s kept on going since then."

The three-mile contest is held in memory of jockey and former Perth clerk of the course Sam Morshead, who died from cancer in 2018 and was a close friend of Bailey's.

"The race is named after a great friend of mine, Sam Morshead, so I’d dearly love to win it in memory of him," Bailey said.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Valtor
He ran really well over hurdles last time. He enjoyed himself and Ben Bromley keeps the ride, his 7lb claim will come in handy in a race like this. Valtor's 12 now and will probably be doing something else next year so hopefully he can go out in a nice way.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Tommy Rapper
He ran a good race the last day. I think the track will be okay and hopefully they get a little bit of rain. He isn’t getting any younger but he’s due his turn so it’s worth having a go.

Olly Murphy, trainer of The Butcher Said
He’s in good form and a quickly run handicap like this suits him well. I thought he saw out his race as well as he has ever done at Ayr last time and this has been the plan since then. He’ll have no problem with the ground conditions and he goes with an each-way chance.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Soupy Soups and Chirico Vallis
He is definitely a better horse around Perth than anywhere else. He’s won several times up there, he just likes those flat right-handed tracks. It’s a Perth Gold Cup so hopefully the first-time blinkers can give him a bit of an extra edge. It’s a step up in trip for Chirico Vallis so it’s a bit of an unknown but he’s getting a bit older and, as we all do, a bit slower with age.

Tom George, trainer of Forgot To Ask
He’s on a bit of a roll and won really well last time so we thought he’s ready to step up to the next level. It should be a nice race for him off a nice weight.

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