Pace Angles: Moderate to even gallop expected. Gale Mahler and King Roly have made the running previously, but neither is a tearaway and may defer if pressed early. Expect Lightkeeper and Garde Des Champs to race handily. Byron Hill and Gale Mahler tend to sit off the pace but are not extreme hold-up types.

Draw Angles: Not applicable under NH rules at Perth. However, handy tactical positioning is often beneficial on Perth’s right-handed, relatively sharp chase track with minor undulations.

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Contenders Summary

Strongest Contenders:

• Gale Mahler – Progressive (8/10):
  Returned to form since sent chasing; unlucky not to follow up at Uttoxeter after a big error late on. Her all-the-way win prior suggests this trip suits well. Latest effort in stronger company at Galway (Grade 3) was underwhelming, but she didn’t seem to take to the track/fences and is best judged on her UK form. Well-treated off 135 based on Timeform’s 140 RPR, and stable may have laid her out for this return.
• King Roly – Promising (8/10):
  Took well to fences on debut, and easy win at Ffos Las stamped him as a chaser with upside. Excuses next time (lost shoe, lame), and wasn’t disgraced in a decent hurdle at Uttoxeter. The 2m4f trip is right; freshened up after a short break. Trainer positive on his jumping ability and long-term chasing scope.

Main Danger:

• Lightkeeper – Regressive (6/10):
  Early chase wins flattered by soft opportunities. Poor recent form in big Irish fields despite a peak RPR of 143; profile suggests confidence fragile. Jockey booking solid, but blinkers worn for all recent runs and recent heavy defeats suggest he’s opposable unless the trip and small field reignite spark.

Interesting Outsiders:

• Garde Des Champs – Exposed but Solid (6/10):
  Finally off the mark over fences on his 16th start. Handles Perth well and rarely runs a bad race here. This is deeper, and profile suggests a place is more likely than a win, but a safe conveyance for placepot or minor money. Drop back to 2m4f could help.
• Byron Hill – Unproven (4/10):
  Well-handicapped on hurdles form but yet to jump a fence in public and not bred for chasing. Might be here for experience; likely to be better watched.

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Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis:

• Gale Mahler: 8/10 – Well-suited to trip, track, and surface. Excuses at Galway. Jumping solid in UK runs.
• King Roly: 8/10 – Promising chaser in the making. Won bumper and hurdle here; fences could be his best game.
• Lightkeeper: 6/10 – Capable at best, but recent form regressive. Not straightforward and hard to trust.
• Garde Des Champs: 6/10 – Knows Perth well, in-form and capable, but rarely wins and may be vulnerable late.
• Byron Hill: 4/10 – Chaser on breeding? Not really. May be finding his level; fences an unknown.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form jumpers returning quickly; they can be hot.

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Each-Way Angles:

With 6 runners, each-way betting is restricted to 2 places only. No formal each-way angle advised under current numbers, but Garde Des Champs might reward place-only bets or forecast plays behind stronger rivals.

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Private Tissue Estimate (Guide Odds):

• Gale Mahler – 2/1
• King Roly – 11/4
• Lightkeeper – 4/1
• Garde Des Champs – 6/1
• Byron Hill – 10/1
• Others – 16/1+

Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Summary + Professional Punter View (Smart Play):

A small but interesting field where Gale Mahler looks to have been targeted at this race after her Grade 3 misfire. Her form with fences in the UK reads strongly, and she remains unexposed over this sort of trip in handicap chases. King Roly could have more to offer if bouncing back from his mid-season blip – he’s lightly raced, has course form, and looks built for fences. Lightkeeper is hard to fancy on recent evidence unless the drop in class sparks a revival.

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Smart Play:

• Win Selection: Gale Mahler – well-handicapped and better than latest Irish run suggests.
• Saver: King Roly (win only) – chasing could be his game, and worth another go after excuse run.