‘Unbelievable’ entries leave Perth officials relishing key three-day meeting

Perth is set fair as its three-day meeting becomes the latest battleground in the British champion jumps trainer title race.

The Scottish track has three days of action in store across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, before the National Hunt season comes to a close at Sandown on Saturday.

The fixture is always well supported with plenty of prize-money on offer, but the champion trainer battle between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins has inspired even larger fields as both look to gain every penny available in order to claim the trophy.

Clerk of the course Matthew Taylor said: “We were delighted with the entries, especially tomorrow, they are probably the best we’ve had in the modern day runners-wise and that has continued into the following day. They’re unbelievable.

“This meeting being just before the final day of the season has been very fortunate. We always get good support, but this time it has been exceptionally good.

“We sold another 350 tickets off the back of declarations for Wednesday, we’re absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to give the customers what they want to see.”

Skelton will start Wednesday £52,775 in front of defending champion Mullins. Skelton has four runners on the opening Perth card, while Mullins has five, with Paul Townend and Rachael Blackmore among his jockeys.