‘Princess’ to finally rule under Luke andrecoup sizeable losses!

Mary Stanford pe – 1.48

is fit ‘n fancied to resume her once burgeoning career in the 12-runner Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles of ‘good’ ground Perth this afternoon when the three-day(s) Spring ‘Scottish Festival’ gets under way; as ever there are plenty of Irish raiders.
They will not be good enough to beat Mary Stanford if Lucinda Russell’s charge is able to replicate her last time out second over a similar distance around Hexham, six months ago!
It’s a long time ago but fitness is never an issue with this yard which Lucinda runs in partnership with Peter Scudamore, ex-champion National Hunt jockey when with the powerful Martin ‘winning machine’ Pipe of the twentieth century.
‘Scu’ bought the Pipe brand to Scotland when he became romantically involved with Lucinda and they really have been a tremendous force on the United Kingdom racing scene.
This particular six-year-old Soldier Of Fortune mare was purchased by current owner Mr J Fyffe after winning an Irish point-to-point race easily at Lisronagh last March and doubtless cost a fortune; Mary Stanford subsequently ran with real credit when beaten only one and three-quarters of a length by hot 11/10 favourite, Rockola Vogue, nigh seven months later when the rest were twenty lengths and upwards in arrears, always a sign of strong form.
On the time-handicap Patrick Wadge’s mount is clear ‘best-in’ and represents a sound each-way betting proposition in the opener of proceedings.
Rest of an eight-race programme looks decidedly difficult and so attention is switched to Shropshire where running in tandem

The Egyptian Ginge lu – 5.15

and stable conditional jockey, Jamie Neild, will be a force in the 6-runner ‘Bumper’ over two miles of ‘good’ Ludlow, one of my favourite tracks.
Supreme Shot comes out similarly and is a serious rival; trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies apparently expects a deal of improvement from the Crystal Ocean gelding which indeed will be advantaged by Jamie’s 7lbs allowance. The lad was aboard at Kempton last month.
Gaye Kelleway-trained ‘serial loser’

Princess Pw li – 5.20

will be on yet another retrieving mission in the Novice Stakes over seven furlongs of Lingfield polytrack but with Luke Morris booked (for a third time!) this Inns Of Court filly, further advantaged by weight-for-age allowance, has simply got to make it sixth time lucky!