Perth, Wednesday 13 May 2026 — Good Ground, Seven Races

Perth, Wednesday 13 May 2026 — Good Ground, Seven Races

Perth in May on good ground is one of Scottish jump racing’s most straightforward cards to read, but that does not mean the winners come easy. Nicky Richards is firing at a 50% strike rate over the last 14 days, which is the standout trainer stat on the whole card. Olly Murphy has two yards represented and carries a mixed book of form. The going suits horses with a bit of class and a clean jumping style, so watch for those running on a retrieval mission after a season of near-misses.

2:00 — Murrayshall Country Estate Mares’ Maiden Hurdle

Selection: Lowlands (7/2, Boyle Sports / Betfred)

The angle here is simple: back the yard that is running hot. Nicky Richards has gone 3/6 over the last 14 days, a phenomenal hit rate for a jump trainer this late in the season, and Lowlands fits the profile of a mare he would target at this sort of race. The 7yo has placed three times from her last four completed starts, including back-to-back seconds, so the consistency is there. Good ground at Perth suits a mare with her profile, and Danny McMenamin is a sharp, reliable pilot who knows the track.

Kaydence heads the market at 6/5 with a higher RPR of 112, and Olly Murphy’s yard cannot be dismissed, but at odds-on in a mares’ maiden hurdle with 11 runners, the value is not there. Frankies Fortune at 5/1 under the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore partnership is the main danger at a workable price, but that yard is running at only 2/14 in the last fortnight. Lowlands at 7/2 represents the value pick of the opener.

2:33 — Murrayshall Country Estate Handicap Chase

Selection: Shadowfax Of Rohan (3/1, Boyle Sports / Betfred / LiveScore Bet)

Patrick Neville’s yard has gone 1/3 in the last 14 days, a small but meaningful sample that says the horses are fit and ready to run. Shadowfax Of Rohan has a sequence that reads P1215, so there is recent winning form in there, and at a career-best RPR of 123, this is a horse operating at a competitive level. Charlie Maggs claims 3lbs, which is a genuine advantage at this level, and the 6yo gets in at the bottom of the weights on 142lbs.

Next Twist heads the market at 11/8 under Sean Bowen for Olly Murphy, and the /6121 form line is strong on paper. But Murphy’s yard is only 1/9 in the last 14 days, so the stable is not at its peak. Hypotenus at 7/1 has an RPR of 127, the highest in the field, and is worth noting each-way in a seven-runner field. Shadowfax Of Rohan at 3/1 offers the best balance of form, weight, and trainer confidence.

3:08 — Murrayshall Golf Handicap Hurdle

Selection: Suspected Each-Way (11/4, Boyle Sports / Betfred / LiveScore Bet)

Twelve runners, a staying trip of 3m2.5f on good ground, and a horse who won last time out. Suspected is the one to be on. The 6yo gelding finished with a decisive win to end his last campaign, his form reading 54861, and trainer N W Alexander has gone 1/2 in the last 14 days. That is a yard with two horses ready to run and one of them won, which is a green light if ever there was one. Kit Alexander takes the ride and claims 5lbs, keeping the horse competitively weighted on 162lbs.

The price of 11/4 is fair rather than generous, but in a 12-runner handicap hurdle over this marathon trip, the each-way terms of three places at 1/5 make it a solid play. Manowest at 9/2 for Olly Murphy is a threat, the /1263 form showing he stays this sort of trip and has winning form in the book. Lady In The Park at 6/1 is another who stays well. But Suspected, fresh from a win and with a trainer who is firing, is the one to side with.

Today’s NAP