Friday, 26 April 2024    

Bretney triumphs and Mullins praises Perth on final day of Festival  

Bretney was a game all-the-way winner of the £30,000 Quinnbet Highland National over 3m 6f on the final day of the AK Bets Perth Festival on Friday.

Ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies and trained by Henry Daly, the 11/1 chance saw off joint-favourite Duke Of Deception by a length and a quarter.

“I don’t know what went wrong when he pulled up at Cheltenham last time but that was more like it,” reported the winning trainer.

“He was pretty fluent and it was a game performance from the front. I haven’t made any plans beyond today but that will be it for him now until next season as he’s off for his summer holidays.”

Patrick Mullins won on his first ride at the track as 1/5 favourite Stoke The Fire, trained by his father Willie, strolled home in the AK Bets Chat To A Trader Novices’ Hurdle.

“They’ve done a great job with the ground and I love the way everything is so close together,” the winning jockey said.

“I’d love to come back again and maybe sample the social side of things!”

Earlier during AK Bets Perth Festival week, Sure Touch, trained by Olly Murphy and ridden by Sean Bowen, was an impressive winner of the £25,000 Phil Nelson River Tay Handicap Chase on Thursday.

A well-backed 11/8 favourite, the Warwickshire raider slammed Feu Du Bresil by five lengths.

“He’s really improving and did that nicely,” Bowen said. “His last win was over nearly three miles but he had no issues dropping back in trip.”

Next up at Perth is Murrayshall Estate Race Evening and Edinburgh Gin Ladies Day on Wednesday 15th May and Thursday 16th May respectively.

For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.perth-races.co.uk.