16:35 Plumpton

Monday 27 February 2017

All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:0516:35

Strong Flavours Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 7m 9.2s

Bostin¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: D C O'Brien| OR: 94

17/2

Did win one here (from an 8lb higher mark) back in 2015 but not seen for over 18 months until reappearing this January. Has shown little in two starts, is unproven at the trip, and probably needs better ground. Looks an unlikely winner.

Form: 074371-

Landscape^b,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Steele| OR: 89

10/1

Twice the subject of unusual overnight gambles, only to drift on the day, but the bottom line with him is that he hasn't won a race since 2012 and although doing a little better last time out, has no form at the trip and stamina must be a major question mark here.

Form: P0-84P8

Minella Gathering¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 88

6/4

Yet to win in ten starts but has knocked on the door on a couple of occasions, notably when a close second at Wincanton in December. Efforts at this sort of trip not as good as shorter and does have stamina to prove.

Form: 9/23615-

Simply Blessed^v1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 87

3/1

Not disgraced in three bumpers last year but has found it difficult since going hurdling, doing only marginally better for the addition of cheekpieces last time out. Becoming a hard ride, and comes with risks attached, but improvement likely at some stage. Yard gone a bit quiet too.

Form: 244780

Roparta Avenue^p1²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 86

20/1

Win here last April stands out like a beacon amongst some otherwise poor efforts, although last three starts have been over fences, and return to hurdles may help. Wouldn't want the ground to get too deep and comes with too many risks attached at present.

Form: 1/4FPP6-

General Girling^p¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: S Hodgson| OR: 81

16/1

Won a couple of back-to-back handicaps for Caroline Keevil back in 2015, proving his stamina for this in the process, but two runs for new yard after a 14 month break have shown nothing. On a good mark should he ever bounce back, but that looks most unlikely here.

Form: 11-9PP1

Comical Red^b¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: James Banks| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 69

9/2

Does stay this trip and acts on most ground, but it's a long time since he won one (back in 2015, a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot) and recent efforts leave plenty to be desired.

Form: 7R8372

Non-Runners

Quincy Magoo¹⁰

Weight: 12-5| Age: 8

T: N B King J: T E Whelan

Eddy⁴¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 8

T: J F Panvert J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Minella Gathering (6/4), Simply Blessed (3/1), Comical Red (9/2), Eddy (6/1), Quincy Magoo (7/1), Bostin (17/2), Landscape (10/1), General Girling (16/1), Roparta Avenue (20/1)

Most of these find winning difficult, so it gives top weight QUINCY MAGOO a decent chance of scoring on just his second handicap start. He looks a thorough stayer, which will help his cause if the expected rain does materialise, and has plenty of improvement to come. The places look up for grabs - perhaps Simply Blessed can do better in the change of headgear, as it's too soon to be writing her off, and Eddy can stay on best of the rest for third. 1. Quincy Magoo 2. Simply Blessed 3. Eddy