PAUL Carberry, who left the Scottish Grand National meeting with a five-day riding ban, was a much happier man at Perth yesterday after he rode home a 106-1 four-timer on the opening card of the 1997 festival fixture.
The Irish-born jockey, stood down by the Ayr stewards for dropping his hands on fourth-placed Act The Wag in Saturday's marathon, was very much back in favour with punters north of the Border after his exploits on Pentlands Flyer, Colonel In Chief, Acajou III, and Royal York.
His win on Colonel In Chief in the #10,000 Glengoyne Highland Malt Tamerosia Series Final was preceded by drama in the paddock when the mount somersaulted under the rails and got to his feet with a large wooden section draped around his neck.
Happily, no serious damage was done and, after being passed fit to race by the vet, he showed his wellbeing by surging home by three parts of a length.
There was a Scottish victory to cheer the locals when Fife-trained Peggy Gordon sprang a 25-1 surprise for Milnathort trainer Dorothy Thomson under experienced lady amateur Pauline Robson, who was winning the race for the second time in three years.
Today's action at Scone Palace Park centres around the RMC Catherwood Ltd 'Little Bay' Handicap Chase, in which Monyman makes a quick reappearance following his runaway success at Ayr on Saturday.
q KEVIN Anderson has undergone surgery on his troublesome right shoulder, the outcome of which will determine whether the Dumfriesshire point-to-point pilot will ever ride in earnest again.
Bankshill-based Anderson, 34, sustained the damage - as well as a badly broken leg - in a crashing fall at Alnwick last February and he has not ridden in public since.
His operation took place in Carlisle. ''Kevin's shoulder joint has a bolt through the middle and he also has a wire down his right arm,'' Anderson's wife Kate reported yesterday.
The Andersons have a trio of entries on Saturday at Balcormo Mains, where the Fife Hunt host the second-last fixture of the year in Scotland. All three horses will run only if the ground does not ride too fast.
Northern area champion Andrew Parker has had a miserable spell since his last winner at Lanark in February and he now has his work cut out to retain his crown. The Kettleholm rider was recently relegated to second place by Northumberland rival Thomas Scott.
q AMLAH, 5-1, was a winning nap at Perth yesterday for Herald racing expert Chris Russell. The winner is engaged again in the 4.30 today and picks up a 6lb penalty.
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