Perth preview: Diamond weighted to Shine for Lucinda

Shine A Diamond has shaped well in his last two starts and looks weighted to take all the beating in the 2m 4f handicap chase that opens proceedings on today’s card at Perth (14.10).

The Lucinda Russell trained gelding opened his account at Hexham last October when making all to beat Milan Royale by seven lengths off a mark of 92.

Shine a Diamond went on to follow-up at Musselburgh off 98, and also ran very well off the same mark when runner-up in a class 4 contest at the Scottish venue.

The seven-year-old is now able to race in this class 5 affair off 89, 9lbs lower than when last successful, and that gives him a massive shout at the weights.

Shine A Diamond also comes into the contest on the back of two solid runs, finishing third over fences at Hexham and fourth over hurdles at this venue when last seen in action.

Those runs should have put the son of St Jovite spot on for this, and with the ground fine and Graham Watters in the saddle claiming a handy 3lb everything points to a huge run.

Johnny Go is in terrific form at present and can make light of a 5lb rise in the weights to land the 2m 4f handicap hurdle (14.40).

The Lisa Harrison trained five-year-old ran a cracker on his penultimate outing at this venue when runner-up at Maraweh, before going one better to open his account at Cartmel nine days ago.

Johnny Go showed a good attitude in the latter, and found plenty to score with a bit more in hand than the winning margin suggests.

It was an effort which suggested there could be even better to come, and a 5lb rise could well be on the lenient side given Johnny Go’s progressive profile.

Johnny Go also has the services of Callum Bewley in the saddle, and taking his 5lb claim into account the son of Bollin Eric is effectively a winner without a penalty.