N.H. racing at Perth (Scotland) and Down Royal (N. Ireland)

There are as always plenty of runners at Down Royal but the racing is of modest quality; the most interesting races are probably the two beginners chases, over 2 1/4 miles at 16.50 CET and over 2 miles 7 furlongs at 17.55. In the former event Gordon Elliott´s The Rocking Dock, who has been runner-up three tims running, must surely be involved, while in the latter, Call Me Max (Eoin Doyle/ Shay Barry) and Marhaba Million (Alan Crowe) are twolikely candidates. Gordon Elliott can also take the main event at Perth, where there is the usual strong Irish presence, with Kells Castle (Tony McCoy) at 17.45. However this 3 mile handicap chase is very open, and Flemish Invader (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) as well as Top Dressing (Howard Davies/ Denis O´Regan) also look threatening. The Johnson/ O´Regan team could be in for a good day as Bergonzi, in the opening maiden hurdle at 15.25, and Blackstone Vegas, in the 3yo hurdle at 16.00, also have good prospects.