Irish raid on Perth this afternoon Fourteen Irish trained horses are declared to run at Perth this afternoon, with Gordon Elliott responsible for five. Formal Bid, who won for Elliott at Kilbeggan on Friday, could be turned out again quickly for the opening two mile novice hurdle at 2:20, with the Clare Cannon trained Whinstone Dee also in the line-up. Just four are set to take part in the second, a three mile handicap hurdle, with Jimmy The Hat, trained by Elliott, currently disputing favouritism with the Colin McBratney trained Toye Native, who will be ridden by Tony McCoy. McCoy will be on another Irish raider in the third, partnering the Paul Nolan trained Acapulco Gold, while Rathmoyle House is Elliott’s representative in the six runner handicap chase. Elliott saddles Hold Em Cowboy in the fourth, and that fellow is likely to go off favourite, while Stuart and Steven Crawford will be represented by Call Box. Obispo, who won at Wexford on his penultimate start, takes his chance in the fifth for Colin McBratney, and he will have the assistance of Tony McCoy in the saddle, while the Paul Stafford trained Moonlane Lane is the other Irish representative in the race. The feature event, the Prestige Handicap Chase at 4:50, will see six go to post, with Jamsie Hall for Gordon Elliott and Jason Maguire, and Maggio for Patrick Griffin and James Reveley the two Irish contenders. The last, a bumper over two miles, now has just three runners, with the early morning defection of Ovilia. It’s All An Act is the current favourite for John Hanlon and Tony McCoy, while the other Irish raider is Indian Winter for Co Down based trained Stephen Magee.
