Willie Mullins targets AK Bets Perth Festival as season starts  

Willie Mullins is targeting the AK Bets Perth Festival as he bids to build on his substantial lead in the British Jumps Trainers’ Championship.  

The Irish maestro has four runners at the Scone track on Wednesday, the first from his Closutton stables since he saddled three winners during three same three-day extravaganza in 2016.  

Mullins is represented by Instit in the opening day feature, the £32,500 Robertson Homes Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase (Listed).  

Instit was fifth in Grade 2 company at Cheltenham last month and her rivals include Gordon Elliott’s Grade 2 runner-up Rivière D’etel and Lucinda Russells Grade 1 scorer Apple Away.  

Mullins also runs Loughglynn under Paul Townend in the £25,000 British EBF Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices Hurdle’ (Listed).  

Ruth Jefferson-trained Sounds Russian is an interesting contender as he has only run once since being brought down in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.  

And Bryony Frost, partner of Farnoge for fourteen-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, has only previously had two mounts without success at Perth.  

Matthew Taylor, Director of Racing at Perth, said: “We are delighted to welcome everyone back to Perth Racecourse as we start the 2024 season with the AK Bets Perth Festival. Day one has a seven-race card and has quality throughout, with runners from the top yards in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland, including Willie Mullins who is targeting the British Jumps Trainers’ Championship. Ruth Jefferson is bringing Sounds Russian which is one of the highest rated horses we have had here. There are some real top-class horses entered for the Listed races and we can't wait.”  

Perth Racecourse’s 2024 season opens on Wednesday, 24th April with the first of three days of the AK Bets Perth Festival – for more information and to book tickets, visit:

www.perth-races.co.uk.