Perth Festival 2025 Preview of Day 2

OLLY Murphy has his eye on the £25,000 middle day Perth Festival feature race for the second year running.

After winning twelve months ago with Sure Touch, the Warwickshire trainer saddles Doctor Ken, ridden by Sean Bowen, in the Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase over 2m 4f.

“He hasn’t run since a good second at Kempton in November and the winner has won again since so it’s reasonable form,” said Murphy, who is enjoying his best season by some considerable margin. “He likes nice ground so hopefully he’ll run well.”

Rivals to Sure Touch include Statuario, who was fifth last year, classy top-weight Tommy’s Oscar, with a BHA rating of 149, and locally-trained pair Dubai Days (Nick Alexander) and Walk On Quest (Lucinda Russell).

Three-time champion jockey Brian Hughes partners Klitschko for his wife Lucy in the Scone International Horse Trials Handicap Hurdle.

The Teesside raider bids to follow up his win at Sedgefield last month and the opposition includes Iain Jardine’s in-form Bashful and Dianne Sayer’s course and distance scorer Simple Star.

Another eight-race card opens with Willie Mullins and Paul Townend teaming up with Magic McColgan in the Nairns Oatcakes Mares “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Last seen out when finishing unplaced in the Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, she carries the colours of Perthshire owner Kenny Alexander.

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