Cap Du Nord can capitalise on Perth opportunity

Admirable veteran Cap Du Nord can make a successful return to Perth on Sunday in the MacBet Laying Bets Since 1972 Handicap Chase.

The Christian Williams-trained 11-year-old was rated in the low 140s at his peak and while he may not be the force he once was, he is handicapped accordingly off a current mark of 122.

Following a 12-race winless streak, Cap Du Nord made the most of his falling rating when rediscovering the winning trail at Plumpton in late March and made a promising return from a short break when third over this track and trip a month ago.

He may be a little sharper for that run and the slightly easier ground he looks set to encounter on his latest trip to Scotland may give him a better chance of keeping up with younger legs.

The opening Parklands Hotel Perth Novices' Hurdle represents a good opportunity for Lady Mendoza to belatedly open her account under rules.

A winner in the point-to-point sphere, the seven-year-old has been placed in four of her seven races since joining Rebecca Menzies without quite managing to find the bullseye.

Her latest effort when third at Cartmel suggested her winning turn may not be far away.

Garde Des Champs gets the vote in the MacBet Scotland's Leading Horse Racing Bookmaker Handicap Chase.

A previous winner over hurdles at this venue, the eight-year-old has not managed to add to his tally since leaving Keith Dalgleish to join Lucinda Russell, but has run some decent races in defeat.

He was placed off a chase mark of 117 at Wetherby in the autumn and off 113 and 112 at Perth this year.

Dropping back in trip with a revised rating of 109, Garde Des Champs has plenty going for him.

Ex-Godolphin runner Mill Street is backed to strike gold in the Malcom Wheeler 70th Birthday Celebration Juvenile Hurdle at Stratford.

Having shaped with some promise on the Flat in America, the three-year-old switched countries and disciplines after joining Ben Pauling and made an encouraging start for his new connections when filling the runner-up spot at Newton Abbot last month.

Given that was his first competitive outing since January, Mill Street should improve and will not need to progress much to go one better.

R S Ambush looks the one to be on in the Jebbo Becomes A Septuagenarian 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old has finished second three times over obstacles, most recently going down by just 0.5-lengths at Hexham.

He is clearly no star, but R S Ambush just about sets the standard in this race and the application of cheek pieces may be just what he needs to get his head in front.

Songo can claim The Stratford Summer Salver with victory in the Barry The Butcher Raise The Steaks Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old bolted up twice in novice company at Newton Abbot last summer, but has failed to build on those efforts since going handicapping.

His first two outings in the handicap sphere left plenty to be desired, but his most recent run when second to Clearance at Newton Abbot was a significant step forward, especially given he had been off the track since October.

The winner has since followed up, so the form looks solid, and with champion jockey Harry Cobden again in the saddle, everything points to a big run from Songo. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

PERTH: 15.15 Lady Mendoza, 15.45 Garde Des Champs, 16.15 Well Planted, 16.45 CAP DU NORD (NAP), 17.15 Fever Dream, 17.45 Global Esteem.

STRATFORD: 14.30 Conceal, 15.00 Star Legend, 15.30 Gentle Connections, 16.00 Mill Street, 16.30 R S Ambush, 17.00 Songo, 17.30 No More Bolero, 18.00 Mountain Bay.