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Horse Racing betting tips: Elliott to dominate on Perth's big day

Perth's feature meeting of the summer takes place on Sunday and Keith Melrose from the Racing Post provides his best bets on the card.

Keith Melrose's tips

3.00 Perth - The Ferry Master @ 4/1
3.35 Perth - Happy D'Ex @ 2/1
4.05 Perth - Ballykeel @ 7/2

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Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

3.00 Perth - The Ferry Master @ 4/1

After THE FERRY MASTER dropped in the weights and big races like the Scottish Grand National became unrealistic, connections had a rethink about his aims. 

The decision paid off immediately, with him winning over 2m5f at Kelso two weeks ago. 

In truth, he was always more of a top-of-the-ground three-miler than a marathon chaser. 

That being so, and with his mark having been raised just 2lbs, he can continue his resurgence in the three-mile Bet Boost at bet365 Handicap Chase at Perth on Sunday. 

While this race is billed as a 0-120, it is in effect a 0-105 for The Ferry Master. 

Nothing besides him has a rating higher than 105, and that is a world away from the races he has shown himself competitive in. 

It is weaker than the race he won at Kelso last time, and with conditions more in his favour, he has an excellent chance of following up.

Keith Melrose's tip:

The Ferry Master @ 4/1 - 1pt win

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3.35 Perth - Happy D'Ex @ 2/1

Almost half of Gordon Elliott's 430 wins over jumps in Britain have come at Perth. 

That is from little more than a third of his runners, so he clearly brings relatively powerful sorts to this part of the country. 

Elliott has a dozen horses declared on Perth's Sunday card, including HAPPY D'EX who looks to be stooping to conquer in the bet365 Handicap Chase over two miles and four furlongs. 

While this mare is still a maiden over fences, she has shown improved form since being given a midwinter break. 

Her second-placed finishes at Thurles and Kilbeggan mark her out as one on the up. Moreover, she has not run in a handicap yet over fences. 

A mark of 126 requires some improvement, but not a lot given the company she is keeping here. 

With Sean Bowen, who has made such a strong start to the season, booked to ride, she looks bound to be popular.

Keith Melrose's tip:

Happy D'Ex @ 2/1 - 1pt win

4.05 Perth - Ballykeel @ 7/2

Despite Elliott's dominance at Perth, not since 2009 has he won the track's biggest prize, the bet365 Perth Gold Cup. 

He has a quarter of the field this year to try and remedy that, with BALLYKEEL making more appeal than veteran Definite Plan. 

While this is a good race as summer handicap chases go, it is still not as competitive as a similar class of race held in winter. 

Ballykeel has been mixing it in good races during the season proper and even finished second in a Grade B handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival. 

This will be Ballykeel's first summer campaign, but what difference that makes these days is moot as truly quick ground rarely comes up in summer jumping and especially at Perth. 

Ballykeel is best away from the mud, which is more than enough to think he will be effective under today's conditions. 

Bowen again takes the ride, when he would presumably have had the choice to ride Definite Plan, which is a final endorsement for this classy seven-year-old.

Keith Melrose's tip:

Ballykeel @ 7/2 - 1pt win

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Keith Melrose's tips

3.00 Perth - The Ferry Master @ 4/1
3.35 Perth - Happy D'Ex @ 2/1
4.05 Perth - Ballykeel @ 7/2

View the latest Horse Racing Odds

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

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