In this far from normal year, Perth stages its Autumn Finale fixture on Wednesday and Thursday and it promises to be a bumper two days.

 

It is the oldest meeting in the Scone track’s history and dates back to 23rd September 1908 when racing was first staged on the present site, and this year the anniversary actually falls on the opening day of the Finale.

 

A glance through the entries reveals that lots of big stables are again set to be represented and horses such as subsequent Grand National hero Bindaree made their debut over fences.

 

Trainers expecting to be represented include Fergal O’Brien, Olly Murphy, Nigel Twiston-Davies, Warren Greatrex, Jonjo O’Neill, Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls plus most of the leading northern and Scottish yards.

 

A race to keep an eye on is Thursday’s Timothy Hardie Jewellers Novices’ Chase over 2m 4f.

 

It has been won six times in the last ten years by exciting prospects trained Nigel Twiston-Davies and I see he has pencilled in Redford Road this time.

 

In the same event watch out for I K Brunel, a 140 rated hurdle trained by Olly Murphy who is set to make his chasing debut under Adrian Heskin.

 

Later in the week there is also racing at Musselburgh on Sunday afternoon.

 

The feature race is the £21,500 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Scottish Premier Fillies Handicap, a Class 3 contest over a mile.

 

The QTS Ayr Gold Cup festival was blessed with wonderful weather and some terrific racing throughout all three days.

 

It’s a shame there were no crowds allowed on course to witness the exploits of the likes of Addeybb (Doonside Cup) and Nahaarr (Gold Cup) or the beaming smile of Tom Marquand after he rode a William Haggas-trained Saturday treble that featured the aforementioned pair plus Johan.

 

Hard to believe Tom hadn’t ridden a single winner at the west of Scotland track before!

 

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