Fun time for Perth backers

Fun Fun Fun gets a confident vote in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase on day one of the Perth Festival on Wednesday.

Winner of a Grade Two bumper and successful at Listed and Grade Three level over hurdles, the seven-year-old made a pleasing start to her chasing career when making all over 4000m at Naas in early January.

Given her free-running style, dropping down in distance at Exeter next time out seemed a reasonable option, but Fun Fun Fun's jumping fell apart under pressure after an early mistake in a race won by Only By Night.

Willie Mullins learned from that lesson, though, and a complete change of tack resulted in an impressive 13-length triumph in Grade Three company over 4800m at Limerick.

With her best trip sorted out, connections feel Fun Fun Fun has the ability to go on to bigger and better things, so it will be disappointing if she does not prove a cut above here.

Mullins is well represented in the British EBF Gold Castle "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle but preference is for Jonjo and A J O'Neill's Mister Meggit.

He travelled really sweetly for a long way in the Grade One Sefton at Aintree before just faltering late on.

In his defence, that was a first outing for 146 days since easily accounting for a fair sort in Off The Jury at the same track, so the hope is that this lightly-raced seven-year-old still has scope for improvement as he gets more battle hardened.

Mullins also takes his relentless pursuit of a second straight British trainers' title to Ludlow, where More Coko can pick up a few more pounds in the Feathers Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old blotted his copybook when beaten at long odds-on at Plumpton last month but had previously done the business with comfortable triumphs at Tramore and Carlisle, so looks worth sticking with.

Jorah d'Alma is an interesting debutant for Fergal O'Brien in the Suzuki 'King Of Quads' Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The six-year-old cost £75,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point two years ago and although he has to overcome a long lay-off since then, it is worth noting that runner-up Patriotik is now rated 126 over hurdles, while the third and fourth that day have also scored under rules.

At Taunton, Him Malaya appeals for Paul and Olive Nicholls in the Ron Hatton Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old bagged a brace of wins on good ground before taking a winter break and may just strip fitter for last month's course and distance third, when rallying late after being a touch fresh early on. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

PERTH: Race 1: 14.48 Kevin's Pride, Race 2: 15.18 Next Left, Race 3: 15.48 Mister Meggit, Race 4: 16.18 FUN FUN FUN (NAP), Race 5: 16.48 Vocito, Race 6: 17.22 Bishop Hill, Race 7: 18.00 Henrysbrotherjack, Race 8: 18.32 Happy Index.

CATTERICK: Race 1: 15.00 Jamie's Choice, Race 2: 15.30 Lucius Aurelius, Race 3: 16.00 Belgravian, Race 4: 16.32 Troia, Race 5: 17.04 Another Baar, Race 6: 17.35 Stellarmasterpiece, Race 7: 18.10 Protest Rally.

LUDLOW: Race 1: 15.38 More Coko, Race 2: 16.08 Doctor Midas, Race 3: 16.38 Tommys Charm, Race 4: 17.10 Varinia, Race 5: 17.40 Captain Tommy, Race 6: 18.15 Jorah d'Alma.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 17.50 Crafter, Race 2: 18.20 Grey Phoenix, Race 3: 18.50 Cerulean Summer, Race 4: 19.20 Ghaiyya, Race 5: 19.50 Spring, Race 6: 20.20 Newfangled, Race 7: 20.50 Just Ten High.

TAUNTON: Race 1: 18.25 Handlethekettle, Race 2: 19.00 Jacksbar, Race 3: 19.30 Lara Kaleo, Race 4: 20.00 Record Art, Race 5: 20.30 Him Malaya, Race 6: 21.00 Bob Bishop.

DOUBLE: Mister Meggit and Fun Fun Fun (Perth, Races 3 and 4).