3.40 Perth – Auto Services Volkswagen Commercials Aftersales Handicap Chase (C4, 2m7f180y, GOOD, 0–120)

Pace & set-up

• Pace looks honest-to-strong: Easy Bucks and Everyday Champagne are natural trailblazers; Hardy Diamond/ Jumping Susie can press; Saint Arvans handy.
• That could set it up for stalkers/closers with proven 3m stamina — notably Wasdell Dundalk and Sean Og.
• Draw irrelevant over fences; Perth’s sharp, right-handed circuit often rewards rhythm and accurate jumping near the pace, but an overcooked gallop can drag leaders back from the last.

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Strongest contenders

Wasdell Dundalk (119) – Proven (p)
Back to an ideal C&D and class after a Class 2 PU. Two C&D seconds (RPR 122 twice) this summer and a 2024 C&D win; handles good. Held up and finishes strongly — the likely pace helps. Just needs a clean round (had a fall last Nov). Very solid.

Hardy Diamond (114) – Progressive (p)
6yo mare on the up for Elliott; 3m win latest (Kilbeggan) after a fine 2m4f Perth second (RPR 117). Cheekpieces worked; Sean Bowen up a positive. Goes handy, jumps well, still scope off 114.

Sean Og (107) – Progressive (p)
Cartmel form stacks up (RPR 122 twice), stays 3m, and he’s holding his form. Travels/stalks; if they go hard he’ll be finishing. Mark still workable.

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Main dangers

Easy Bucks (102) – Exposed but dangerous on a lead
Two wins in June/July (incl. Perth C&D, albeit C5). Flopped last time “ran flat”, but good ground/Perth suit and he could control things. Up in class; jumping when pressured is the query.

Everyday Champagne (96) – Regressive but well-treated
Two strong C&D seconds in June/July (RPRs 133/131!) but has tailed off since; still well-handicapped if he gets an uncontested rhythm. Risky, but price may compensate.

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Interesting outsiders

Jumping Susie (117) – Promising (P)
Lightly-raced chaser; bits of Irish beginners’ chase form. First UK hc chase at 3m is a question, but pedigree/yard suggest she’ll stay. If she travels/settles, upside is there.

Saint Arvans (112) – Exposed stayer
Placed efforts this spring, but recent runs suggest he finds one or two too good at this level. Needs to bounce back to best.

Captain Ivan (109) – Track-suited but stamina a query
Best figures at shorter, often flattens late at 2m4f-2m6f. On a fair mark but strong 3m on good ground hasn’t convinced lately.

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Runner scores (suitability today)

• Wasdell Dundalk – 8.5/10 (p): C&D, mark, race shape all ticked; minor hold-up risk at Perth.
• Hardy Diamond – 8/10 (p): Progressive mare, Bowen a plus; first proper Perth 3m test is the step to nail.
• Sean Og – 7.5/10 (p): Rock-solid summer form; keeps finding.
• Easy Bucks – 7/10: Big chance if bossing early; class rise/jumping under pressure are caveats.
• Everyday Champagne – 6.5/10: Big figures earlier this summer; current form tail-off the worry.
• Jumping Susie – 6/10 (P): Unexposed chaser with staying potential; new scenario today.
• Saint Arvans – 5.5/10: Honest, but signs of regression vs this type.
• Captain Ivan – 5/10: Likes flat tracks (Perth a plus), stamina late on the question.

Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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Each-way angles (8+ runners)

• Easy Bucks – if you think he gets an easy lead on good ground, he’s a live EW at double-figures.
• Everyday Champagne – risky, but back to earlier-summer C&D figures would put him right in it at a price.

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Private tissue (my fair odds)

• Wasdell Dundalk 3/1 (25%)
• Hardy Diamond 7/2 (22%)
• Sean Og 9/2 (18%)
• Easy Bucks 13/2 (13%)
• Everyday Champagne 10/1 (9%)
• Saint Arvans 12/1 (7%)
• Captain Ivan 16/1 (5%)
• Jumping Susie 20/1 (4%)

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Summary & Smart Play (Pro Punter View)

Plenty of pace on a sharp 3m should suit closers with C&D credentials. Wasdell Dundalk brings the best recent Perth 3m figures, drops back in class, and the set-up looks perfect. Hardy Diamond is the chief improver from a powerful yard; Sean Og is dependable and still fairly treated. If the leaders aren’t taken on, Easy Bucks could nick it.

Smart Play generated by Chatgpt

• Top win bet: Wasdell Dundalk – form, mark, and race shape aligned.
• Each-way saver: Easy Bucks – chance to control; Perth/good ground positives.