Gordon Brown – Race Reporter
Gordon has a wealth of experience of racing through his background in the written and broadcast media. His current principle role is reporting and supporting the scene in Scotland on Racing TV and relaying the latest news with Scottish angles.
Sandy Forster is after the fifth win of her training career at Perth on Wednesday evening when she saddles two runners from her Borders base.
Based at Kirk Yetholm, near Kelso, she is represented by Stowaway John in the Perth Fonab Castle Hotel And Spa Novices’ Hurdle and Morningside in the Perth Holiday Inn Express Staycation Handicap Chase.
A granddaughter of legendary Scottish handler Ken Oliver, Forster said: “We had eight winners last season which equalled the previous two occasions we had the same number, but we did it last year with a lot less runners, so we are really delighted.
“Morningside probably has the best chance, and he went close a couple of times at Kelso and Sedgefield last season. He stays well enough, and the ground should be fine.
“Stowaway John has limited experience in handicaps, but he was a wee better after we stepped him up in our trip at Newcastle last time.”
Brian Hughes gained his second jumps jockeys’ title last term, and he has his five rides at a venue that supplied him with 19 winners during his latest championship campaign which saw him become the first northern pilot to reach a double century, a feat which will be commemorated with a special presentation at Perth tomorrow.
He kicks off with Sunshine Girl in the Murrayshall Country Estate Maiden Hurdle and also has the mount on Bob’s Bar, the likely favourite in the night’s feature contest, the Racing Welfare Supporting Mental Health Awareness Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Matthew Taylor, Perth Racecourse Racing Manager, said: “We are delighted to welcome 63 runners over a competitive evening card. The ground is currently good, good to soft in places, after 10mm rain on Monday which was the last wet day of the week, with the remainder looking cloudy and dry but rather cool.”
For tickets for Wednesday evening at Perth visit www.perth-races.co.uk (please note Edinburgh Gin Ladies Day on Thursday is completely sold out).
The first of seven races tomorrow is at 5.40pm – all live on Racing TV.