Race Overview

This Class 3 0–140 two-mile handicap chase at Perth has drawn a competitive field. The race historically favours top 2 in the market, with 6–9yo’s, OR 128–135, and runners off 31–60 days fitting strongest. With pace forecast even, front-runners get an edge — hold-up types might need everything to go right.


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Strongest Contender – VOCITO (Olly Murphy / Sean Bowen)

TimeWise Top Ranked 🏇

Key Positives:

Has seriously progressive chase form, winning his last three completed starts, including a smooth 11L win at Plumpton.

Front-runner with a pace advantage in this field. That’s gold at Perth over this trip.

From a trainer/jockey combo (Murphy/Bowen) with strong Perth stats: Murphy hits 26%, Bowen 29% here.

Timeform flags: “Still has more potential as a chaser.”


Trends Profile:

Age 7 isn’t ideal (only 7% win rate), but improving horses often defy that.

OR 120 – a bit light for past winners, but if he’s 10lbs well-in, he still fits the profile on performance.


Verdict: Very likely trying, and could be thrown in. If he’s tuned off the 156-day break, he’s the one to beat.


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Main Dangers

PARISENCORE (Nicky Richards / Danny McMenamin)

Perth course winner, chased home a 140s horse at Wetherby, and has a tidy overall profile.

OR 130 puts him smack in the historical sweet zone.

However, 117 days off puts him in a danger zone based on the HRB trends. Could be just a reappearance/prep?


Trainer note: Nicky Richards has +£30.81 profit at Perth with single runners in chases — this could be the target.

Verdict: A real player if fit, but tricky to gauge intent. Market late on tells the story.


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PAY THE PIPER (Ann Hamilton / Brian Hughes)

Top-weight off OR 134, matches the ideal weight/OR bracket from trends.

Rare runner for Ann Hamilton, with Brian Hughes booked — combo have clicked well in the past.

Steady season, hard-fit, placed LTO behind a sharp horse at Newcastle.


Form flags: He’s honest and consistent, but maybe lacks the zip of younger improvers.

Verdict: Each-way solid, definitely not a handbrake job. They know he stays, goes on the ground, and the booking is a big hint.


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Lurker: NETYWELL (Lucinda Russell / Patrick Wadge)

8yo who hit a hat-trick earlier this season; bounced back at Kelso LTO.

Patrick Wadge claims 3lb — and Lucinda’s local. They’ve tried before with this horse in small fields.

OR 126 isn’t far off competitive.


Intent clues: Likely trying today, especially after the Kelso run. Don’t rule out a bold show from near the front.


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‘Who’s Trying? Who’s Not?’ – Go Days vs Handbrake Watch

Trying:

Vocito – Murphy/Bowen aren’t here for the scenery. He’s a front-runner, race conditions look teed up, and this looks like a target.

Pay The Piper – Top jock on, fitness guaranteed, and he’s held his form well. Not flashy, but reliable.

Netywell – Lucinda likes a Perth raid and this one could nick a place again.


Handbrake Jobs?

Prince Escalus – 277-day layoff, no strong Perth record, and trainer hasn’t won this race. Likely needs it.

Etalon – just 11 days since a hard race at Ayr, second run post-wind op. That last run had signs of a ‘prep’. On a going day he can go close, but today? Suspect.

Sword Of Fate – 12yo out of form, out of the weights, and probably just here for a gallop round the favourite track.




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Verdict

Vocito ticks the most boxes and has a pace and profile edge. If he’s ready after the break, he wins.

Parisencore the danger, but watch for late drift – could need the run.

Pay The Piper and Netywell reliable EW types if there’s a wobble with the top two.