Fergal O’Brien has his sights set on the feature race on the opening day of the William Hill Perth Festival.
The Cheltenham trainer, having recently recorded his maiden century of winners, saddles Stoner’s Choice in the Listed British EBF William Hill Gold Castle “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Since he took out a licence just over 20 years ago, Perth has been a happy hunting ground for O’Brien and he has enjoyed a handsome 26 per cent strike rate from 31 winners at the Scone track - only Uttoxeter (37) has supplied him with a higher tally.
O’Brien said: “I love coming up to Perth and so do all my owners. They really look after us and they do a great job with the ground.
“Stoner’s Choice won at the track and Market Rasen and then had a break. Since coming back he has won at Ascot but this particular race has been on his radar for a long time.”
Opposition to Stoner’s Choice include Paul Nicholls-trained Threeunderthrufive and Nicky Richards’ Castle Rushen who are rated 139 and 135 respectively.
Nicholls, about to be crowned champion jumps trainer for the 12th season, has only one other runner over the three days and it is Carry On The Magic in the Remembering Tim Hardie Maiden Hurdle.
The last two runnings of the William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase were won by horses partnered by Ross Chapman and Uptown Harry, for Northumberland trainer Jane Walton.
The line-up includes Landofsmiles for Welsh trainer Peter Bowen, who also runs Francky Du Berlais in the Perth Phil Nelson Supports Perth Handicap Chase at the venue which boasts his joint-best winners to runners ratio.
Fresh from scooping the Scottish Grand National on Sunday, locally-based Lucinda Russell is represented by Southern Girl in the mares’ hurdle and A Ladies Milan in division one of the amateur jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
The three-day William Hill Perth Festival takes place behind closed doors from today to Friday.
Hazel Peplinski, Perth Racecourse CEO, said: “It has been a long winter and so we are pleased to finally be part of the action with our own festival even though there are sadly no crowds.
"It has been a mighty boost to have the support of William Hill for this flagship meeting and I hope that is a relationship upon which we can build in the years to come. They already run our on-site betting shop brilliantly and whilst that remains closed just now we are confident of producing some strong betting product this week for the off-course markets.
“We traditionally attract strong crowds to this meeting and we shall miss what they bring in terms of atmosphere. It is a monumental effort by our small team to reach this point so we are dearly hoping to see crowds return when all the relevant authorities advise us it is safe to do so."
