Now that we have seen the back of the 2025 Epsom Derby Festival, it is time to get a well-needed national hunt fix.
Perth and Punchestown are back today, but Perth takes precedence with the always enjoyable Perth Gold Cup.
Get the best odds from the online horse racing betting sites here for the Perth Gold Cup.
Perth Gold Cup Runner By Runner Betting Guide
Statuario, who was a game-winner of last season’s renewal, is back to defend his title, but can he reach the same height now that he is a year older, especially with some interesting runners from Ireland?
1 Hang In There
- Age: 11
- Weight: 12st 0lb
- Form: 24P9-4
- Rating: 151
- Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- Trainer: Emma Lavelle
An eight-time chase winner who was narrowly touched off in last season’s renewal of the Perth Gold Cup by reposing Statuario, Hand In There looks like he has it all to do this year. He went on to win on his next start after his close call last season, but going on his latest starts, age may be catching up with him. He’s still rated one pound higher than he was when filling the runner-up spot here last season, and with the combination of top weight and his age, he’s opposed.
Star rating: 
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2 Risan
- Age: 8
- Weight: 11st 0lb
- Form: 0046-2
- Rating: 137
- Jockey: James Bowen
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
The Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old has hinted that his turn in a race of this nature will not be far away. Riaan went close to getting his head back in front when only finding James Du Berlais too good for him at the Punchestown Festival. Before that, he put up two big efforts at the Dublin Racing Festival and was sixth behind the progressive Jagwar in the Festival Plate at Cheltenham.
You can argue that today’s race is nowhere near as competitive as what he has faced at three of the biggest festivals of the year. Off a mark of 137, which he should be more than capable of winning off, and with the booking of James Bowen, this looks like a good opportunity for Riaan to get his head back in front.
Star rating:
3 Tullybeg
- Age: 10
- Weight: 10st 13lb
- Form: 039-P5
- Rating: 136
- Jockey: Carl Millar (5lb)
- Trainer: Gordon Elliott
It’s been a long time since we have seen Tullybeg show form that would give him a realistic chance of taking home the Perth Gold Cup. He has been beaten out of sight in his last four starts over fences, and hopes of a revival will rest on a slightly easier task that he faces today. He has shown glimpses in the past that would give him a chance here, but now that he’s getting on in years, it’s hard to see him delivering a winning performance today.
Star rating:
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4 Young Buster
- Age: 9
- Weight: 10st 11lb
- Form: /2571-
- Rating: 134
- Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Young Buster put up a career-best performance on his latest outing at Kempton, winning by 24 lengths, but you can pick holes in the form. The race at Kempton seemed to fall apart due to his rivals making several mistakes throughout the race, and the runner-up lost a shoe and stopped quickly.
You can see that the handicapper took the same view by only raising him 4 lbs for that win. Even so, his confidence will be high from that win, and with his good strike rate over fences, he should be able to play a part in the finish if backing up his latest win.
Star rating:
Bet on Young Buster with bet365
5 Annsam
- Age: 10
- Weight: 10st 11lb
- Form: 4P333-
- Rating: 134
- Jockey: Adam Wedge
- Trainer: Evan Williams
Based on this year’s form, it’s hard to get excited about Annsam’s chances here. He has not run like a horse where his return to the winner’s enclosure is just around the corner. Statuario has already finished ahead of Annsam this season, and even with a 2 lb swing in the weights, that isn’t likely to be enough to reverse the form with Satuario, let alone win.
Star rating:
6 Statuario
- Age: 10
- Weight: 10st 5lb
- Form: 40032-
- Rating: 128
- Jockey: Sean Bowen
- Trainer: Mickey Bowen
The Bowens are always respected when it comes to the Perth Gold Cup, and this year is no exception. Statuario comes here as the defending champion and has been running himself into form at just the right time. He’s only two pounds higher for his win in this last season, and with champion jockey Sean Bowen back on board, you can not rule out a repeat victory for the Bowens.
Star rating:
7 Stans The Man
- Age: 10
- Weight: 10st 5lb
- Form: 40032-
- Rating: 128
- Jockey: Sean Bowen
- Trainer: Mickey Bowen
Wind surgery has given Stans The Man a new lease of life, and with that, it has brought out much improvement, as seen when winning back-to-back staying chases over further than today’s distance.
His front-running display at Stratford last time was a clear career best, and in his current form, you can’t rule him out, even with a 9lb raise and a step up in class. He stays further, jumps well, and can be a danger to all if getting away on the lead.
Star rating:
8 Ballintuber Boy
- Age: 10
- Weight: 10st 2lb
- Form: 1812-2
- Rating: 125
- Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- Trainer: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
The talent is there for Ballintubber Boy to be in the mix here, but ever since he has been sent chasing, his two rounds of jumping have been littered with niggly mistakes that put him on the back foot. He can’t afford those kind of mistakes around a track like Perth, but if he can brush up on his jumping, and the first-time tongue tie has the desired effect, then he will go close off bottom weight.
Star rating:
Bet on Ballintubber Boy with BetVictor
Perth Gold Cup verdict
Statuario is set to put up a big performance as he looks to win back-to-back renewals of the Perth Gold Cup, but this time, Sean Bowen may have to settle for second best to his brother James as he steers RIAAN to Perth Gold Cup glory.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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