PERTH | Best Bets for Day 1 of the Perth Festival

While the main Jumps season is firmly drawing to a close, National Hunt fans can still get their racing fix with a three-day festival on offer in Perth this week.

The action at the Scottish track kicks off with a 2m4f Maiden Hurdle at 1:50 and concludes at 5:166 with a 2m7f Handicap Hurdle.

The team have scoured through the seven-race card and they have selected their three best bets for the first day of action in Perthshire.

Here are their selections for the opening day of the Perth Festival.

NAP: Shantou Lucky – 2:25 Perth (5/1 – bet365)

Making the trip across the Irish Sea for Gavin Cromwell, Shantou Lucky could have more to offer on only his third start over fences for his connections.

The gelding struck at Clonmel last time out over the minimum trip, overcoming a mistake at the last to keep on and get the better of a useful sort to win by three-quarters of a length.

The five-year-old is stepped back up in trip here and he should remain competitive as he has claimed victory over this distance in the past when tackling hurdles.

The son of Shantou has the bonus of a 5lb claimer in the saddle here and while he does have to prove himself here, he could well put up a big performance for his connections here.

NB: The Goffer – 3:35 Perth (7/1 – bet365)

Gordon Elliott’s record at Perth is quite remarkable after recording a whopping 187 winners from 661 runners and he could well add another success to his total with The Goffer.

The five-year-old returns to novice company following a disappointing handicap debut in the Martin Pipe at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

The gelding has been running over two and a half miles for the majority of the campaign but he has been stepped up to three miles here and he could well have something to offer over this distance.

His pedigree suggests he should be competitive and if he can bounce back from his poor Cheltenham run, The Goffer could well be one to watch in this contest.

LONGSHOT: Rubytwo – 4:41 Perth (12/1 – bet365)

Under the guidance of Nicky Richards, Rubytwo could produce another respectable performance for her connections here.

The mare put up a brave effort in the Mares’ Series Final at Musselburgh in March, finishing second at odds of 16/1.

She retains the same mark as last time out and the softer ground shouldn’t cause any issues for her here

The 10-year-old faces some tough opposition here but she does hint at each-way value in this company at 12/1.