His Excellency landed a thrilling renewal of the £15,000 Orion Group Handicap Chase (for the Inverness Cup) at Perth last night.

Partnered by Tom Scudamore, the Somerset raider held off Carlito Brigante by three-quarters of a length with Hero De Villeneuve the same distance back in third.

The David Pipe-trained winner carries the colours of Largs owner Jo Tracey and her husband, Sean, said: "I'm delighted he's won on his first attempt over two miles. Tom gave him a fabulous ride; he's a class jockey and he's just shown that again."

Noel Fehily also was full of praise for Perth after making a rare visit to the track. The Irishman made all on Book Of Excuses for Donald McCain to beat Apachee Prince by a length and a quarter in the Watch All Scottish Racing Live On Racing UK Novices' Hurdle.

Fehily said: "It's a smashing track and the prize money is excellent. Book Of Excuses is a fine big horse and Donald said to make plenty of use of him."

Gleann Na Ndochais won for the first time away from Kelso in the Blackhills Specialist Dental Clinic Novices' Handicap Chase for the Ewan and Alistair Whillans combination.

Winning rider Ewan Whillans said: "He's found plenty and kept on gamely. He's won at three miles and two-and-a-half and the ground doesn't bother him."