Perth Racecourse

A practical guide to Perth's National Hunt course, including its tight, right-handed layout, fence difficulty and the tracks most likely to provide useful form clues.

About Perth Racecourse

They have been racing horses at Perth racecourse since 1613. The course is based in the centre of Scotland and is therefore easily reached from virtually anywhere in Scotland. It really is a beautiful racecourse and well worth a visit.

Key Characteristics

Perth is a very flat racecourse. It is a mile and a half all the way round with 8 fences per circuit, although the Water jump which is in front of the stands is not jumped on the final circuit. As a result there is a very long run in from the final fence to the winning post.

Course Summary

Track: Very tight and right-handed

Finish: Easy

Fences: Very easy

Interesting Facts

Perth holds the distinction of being Britain's most northerly racecourse, a claim to fame all of its own among National Hunt tracks.
The current course sits within Scone Palace Park, right next to the historic Scone Palace, once the crowning place of Scottish kings — the Mansfield family provided the land when racing moved to the site in 1908.
Because Perth doesn't stage any winter fixtures, it's often rated one of the most picturesque National Hunt courses in the country, with racing confined to the sunnier months.
Racing here was halted during Oliver Cromwell's rule and only resumed once Charles II was restored to the throne.
The season runs to just 14 fixtures a year between April and September, bookended by the Perth Festival in spring and the "Glorious Finale" in autumn.
Notable races staged at the track include the Perth Gold Cup and the Highland National, Scotland's answer to Aintree's famous marathon chase.

Similar Courses

Form from the following course may be particularly relevant when assessing runners at Perth:

Musselburgh