Perth Gold Cup: the one race you do not want to miss on Sunday

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

Why is it interesting?

The biggest prize in the Perth calendar has the limelight to itself on Sunday and a £40,000 prize fund has ensured a strong and competitive feel to the race.

Out Sam was last seen finishing a distant tenth behind Burrows Saint in the Irish Grand National but could look leniently treated on the basis of his fourth in the Thyestes three starts ago.

Out Sam on his way to Cork National success last NovemberCredit: Alain Barr

Richard Johnson gets the call from Perth regular Gordon Elliott, though Out Sam is unlikely to have things all his own way.

Got Away found only Mister Whitaker too strong at Cheltenham in April and ran a decent race in defeat here in a mares' Listed race last time, while Cresswell Legend underwent wind surgery over the winter and made a winning reappearance against two rivals at Ludlow in April.

David Pipe is represented by Van Gogh Du Granit, whose only finish out of the frame in five starts since arriving from France came in the Scottish Grand National.

Topweight Get Out The Gate is bound to be among the market leaders following a 32-length stroll over course and distance in May. That was just his second chase start and he easily made it two from two.

What do the stats say?

Traditional Dancer has recorded three wins from six runs at the track.

Jennie Candlish, who won the race two years ago with Beeves, is back for more with Red Giant. The yard has an impressive five wins from just ten runners (50 per cent) over fences at Perth in the last five years, returning a level stakes profit of £31.50.

Sean Quinlan and Jennie Candlish both have the starts on their side at Perth on SundayCredit: John Grossick Racing Photography

In addition, Red Giant is ridden by Sean Quinlan, who has been operating at an 18 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight.

In contrast, Nicky Henderson is a rare visitor to Perth. The trainer, who is represented by Dragon D'Estruval, is one from 11 at the track in the last half decade.

What do the trainers say?

Jimmy Fyffe, owner of Get Out The Gate
He was pretty impressive at Perth last time and his big weapon is his jumping which has been electric. He’s clearly got a big future and hopefully there will be plenty of big days to come.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Got Away
She didn't quite see out the trip the other day in the mares' race round there when she did too much early on. I think she will get it and the softer the ground the better. She's a mare we really like and if she reproduces her second at Cheltenham she will be knocking on the door. At lot of the others won't want soft ground.

Oliver Sherwood: trains Got AwayCredit: Getty Images

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Out Sam
The more rain that falls the better, so I hope it keeps bucketing down. He won the Cork National last season and I'd like to think he has another nice handicap in him. He actually didn't run too badly in the Irish National for a long way and has been in good form since. I'd be hopeful of a good run from him in what looks an open race.

I like to send horses to Perth. I trained my first winner there so I always like to support the track. We have a nice team heading over and I'd like to think some of them have decent chances. Carrie Des Champs (2.15) is a nice mare who should go close in the opener. She won nicely at Tipperary and won her two bumpers at Perth so fingers crossed she can continue winning ways at the track.

What do our tipsters say?

With a Cork National to his name and an excellent fourth in a strong Thyestes Chase only this January, assured stayer Out Sam is taken to provide Gordon Elliott with his first Perth Gold Cup since 2009.
Alistair Jones

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