15:45 Plumpton

Sunday 16 April 2017

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

totepool Sussex Champion Hurdle (Handicap)

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 3m 34.8s

Tommy Silver³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137

10/3

Won a similar event to this at Taunton two starts back, staying on well and finding plenty for pressure to score by a length from the classy Bertimont, but not so good when upped in trip at Cheltenham last time weakening late in the contest. This drop back to 2m looks a positive move and he looks a contender.

Form: 571016-

Hint Of Mint^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 136

7/1

Progressive and wasn't totally done with when falling at Taunton last time out, despite having been headed after trying to make most of the running. Got no peace on the front there and the worry is that he won't here either. Likely conditions fine but probably needs a bit more improvement.

Form: 4730/03

Rossetti^h¹⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N P Madden| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 135

16/1

Rattled off four wins (all in single-figure fields) last summer but outclassed in the Greatwood Hurdle when last seen. Not hard to think the handicapper may have him in his grasp and may well need this run after five months off. Others look to hold stronger claims.

Form: 1113PP-

Song Light^p1³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 132

7/2

Runs with great consistency in all the big handicaps and the faster they go up front the better for him, as he travels very well. Disappointing in the County Hurdle last time but that wasn't run at the breakneck pace he likes, and this will be. Cheekpieces tried today and looks a big player if they have the desired effect.

Form: 75/3402-

Bleu Et Noir^h³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 130

10/1

Invariably sets off at a rate of knots and sometimes holds on, as he did on three occasions last year but faces plenty of competition for the lead here. Will strip fitter for a recent effort at Stratford, his first for six months, but needs to shake them off early to give himself the best chance.

Form: 1121F6

Excellent Team^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 127

6/1

Steadily progressive last year and continued that progression at Stratford a fortnight ago, winning easily. However, that wasn't much of a contest and the handicapper has put him up 10lb for it, so needs to progress again. Not impossible he can, and has his likely ideal conditions.

Form: 212414

Caid Du Lin^p,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125

11/2

Desperately unlucky not to have won his last two, throwing it away at Fontwell on the run-in when in front and then stumbling after the last at Huntingdon last time out. Handicapper giving him every chance and with conditions to suit, can go close.

Form: 21P33U

Regulation³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 122

10/1

Needs quick ground to show his best and capable of good form when on song, but no win now since 2015 and although he will strip fitter for a recent run at Fakenham (and the handicapper giving him a chance) he does need to return to his best form. Not out of it if he does.

Form: F47743-

Templier^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122

16/1

Winner over this C&D in December but no so good since, although in fairness has been quite highly tried. Didn't do much on handicap debut recently but return to a better surface may help. Too soon to be writing him off, but does have a bit to prove now.

Form: -

Non-Runners

Maestro Royal²³

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Remiluc⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: C Gordon J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Tommy Silver (10/3), Song Light (7/2), Maestro Royal (5/1), Caid Du Lin (11/2), Excellent Team (6/1), Hint Of Mint (7/1), Regulation (10/1), Bleu Et Noir (10/1), Templier (16/1), Rossetti (16/1), Remiluc (33/1)

Plenty of these like to get on with it early and a solid pace seems assured. With that, it's worth giving SONG LIGHT a go to gain some compensation for some excellent efforts in races like the Betfair Hurdle and Greatwood Hurdle. This looks a bit easier and it's not hard to see him throwing down a challenge after travelling well at the rear for most of the race. Maestro Royal is another for whom they can't go quick enough and this progressive sort can go well again. Caid Du Lin, Tommy Silver and, at a bigger price, Regulation are others to consider.