Duke Of Perth best value

PUREVALUE is likely to be a warm order for Newcastle's Northern Electric Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final today but Duke Of Perth looks sure to represent the true value bet in the race.

Further investigation into the chance of Howard Johnson's runner, unearths a serious case for diving headlong into the `early bird' market.

Duke Of Perth obviously showed his trainer some promise in his home work before his debut as Johnson took the trouble to book Adrian Maguire - an indicator which prompted the Sedgefield ring starting him an odds-on favourite.

Although he failed to justify the odds laid on him in that bumper and subsequently could only manage places in his following two NH Flat race starts, he showed, when sent over hurdles for the first time at Hexham in December, that he was a useful recruit.

Always tracking the leaders under Paul Carberry, the Scottish Reel five-year-old was let loose approaching the final flight and smoothly pulled clear to win by five lengths.

That was not the finest novices' hurdle race in the north of Britain this year - it was a qualifier for this final - but he could do no more than win easily and Johnson was then able to plan his assault on today's assignment.

Step one on the route was a Sedgefield novices' handicap on St Valentine's Day, but any love punters felt for the gelding who started a well-fancied 3-1 joint-favourite with Cumbrian Rhapsody died when he fell at the third last.

It was an accomplished and smooth winning performance from the other joint-favourite, but it would have been less so had Duke Of Perth stayed on his feet.

His trainer could at least draw solace from the fact that his handicap mark, unlike the winner, stayed on a lenient 92.

Ten days later Duke of Perth was seen out again in a two and a half miles novices' hurdle at Musselburgh, but he failed to stay the extra distance, travelling smoothly until three out before being eased when he began to emit distress signals.

He slips into this final on a handy weight and, with Carberry booked, looks to have a great chance of landing the £15,000-added prize, some weighty wagers at early prices and the nap.

Ferdy Murphy's string are in fine form and Donjuan Collonges - a five-year-old ex-French gelding - can keep the ball rolling in the Glengoyne Highland Malt Novices' Chase.

Last time out, the chestnut travelled strongly for much of the way before weakening to finish three quarters of a length second to Celtic Town at Uttoxeter. He looks a thorough stayer who should appreciate the stiff track here and as his acclimatisation continues, he will improve on that effort.

At Lingfield, Andy Turnell can take the March Novices' Chase with Giventime. Though yet to realise the promise he showed earlier in his career, the gelding stayed on strongly at Nottingham last time to land an extended three miles novice chase.

These look a pretty average bunch of chasers and he should give a good account in his attempt to follow up.