Maillot kicks the season off with a Kelso win and 8 runners for the Perth May Meeting

Still on the chilly side and with it remaining dry the grass growth appears to be grinding to a halt, no sign of any change from current weather pattern.  We were delighted to get the 2026/27 Season off to a winning start with Maillot Blanc dead-heating for first place at Kelso last week, we were also pleased with Lester Mail taking another step forward to be 4th.  Off to grass for him now and should be plenty of improvement to come, all being well Maillot will head to Perth on the first Sunday in June when he will attempt to retain his crown in the staying handicap hurdle on their Gold Cup day, he will be 8lb higher this time round.

And it is Perth we are off to this week with 8 runners declared across the two days of their May meeting, traditionally our last busy fixture prior to returning with fresh horses in late September.  Ground should be well watered easy side of good, a few showers certainly wouldn’t go amiss to stop it drying out too much.  Five of our runners are tomorrow and we start with Oor Wish in the 14.00; this is a decent enough mares maiden hurdle and on achievements to date I’d say she is booked for 7th of the 11 runners, I think she will improve and perform above this level but a major step forward is required to make the frame – we might have to wait until autumn for that – Bruce rides.

Suspected improved to win over 3m at the last Perth fixture, he did that well and the extended 3m 2f trip in the 15.08 tomorrow shouldn’t be a problem.  Up 6lb for his win he has the advantage of Kit’s 5lb claim coming back into play so all being well he should give a good account though this is a step up in class and a deeper looking sort of race – 12 run.

Jirko runs in the 15.43; he was travelling nicely last time when unshipping Dom with a circuit to go and he drops in class over the same 3m trip tomorrow.  If – and its quite a big “if” – he can get into a good rhythm with his jumping then he could put up a bold show.  It’s odd because when he started over fences last autumn he looked very good in the jumping department but he has become a little erratic – hopefully Bruce can sort him out, 8 run.

TakeyoutotheIsland runs in the first division of the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 16.55; he has a bit to prove at present as he disappointed on handicap debut at Carlisle last time, not really coming up the hill with any conviction.  Hopefully the combination of the flatter track, a 3lb lower mark and an 8lb claim from Dom will see him being more competitive this time – he has plenty of ability but has been injured a couple of times and those old injuries might just be taking the edge off but I’d like to think he could take a decent step forward – 10 run.

Course and distance winner Beat the Retreat runs in the 2nd division at 17.25; he seems in great form and ran well enough last time over an inadequate 2m and ought to run better back over his best trip – 10 run and Dom rides.

It will be back to Perth on Thursday with three runners starting with two in the maiden hurdle at 13.48.  L’Appel du Large (Bruce) is making his hurdling debut having had a wind operation since not performing to our expectations in two bumpers.  I’m not sure how successful that operation has been and I’d just like to see him run a better type of race starting out over obstacles.

Nae Bother At A’ is lowly rated and has failed to fire in two handicaps, dropping back to 2m in weight for age company may seem an odd thing to do but we just need to see him finish a race off as he appears to have plenty of ability at home – Sean rides and 13 run.

Last but not least is Ned Tanner who runs in the 3m handicap chase at 14.33; he ran a nice race in better company over course and distance last time; he was 3lb out of the weights that day so a repeat of that form should see him involved – Sean rides and 6 run.

I am due to have some rather invasive dental treatment tomorrow morning after which I am supposed to rest for the remainder of the day.  It may well be that I do that though it will be hard to resist a trip to Perth, albeit in a low key fashion if I am under the weather.