15:30 Plumpton

Monday 23 October 2017

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Retirement Villages Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 51.00s

Jebs Gamble^p¹⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 100

16/1

Best of seven runs over timber saw him finish a close second at Fontwell last time out. Has gone up 6lb, though, which seems a touch harsh.

Form: 5368-52

Ochos Rios^t1²⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 98

20/1

Rounded off last season with a third at Ffos Las. Returns from a lay-off in a first-time tongue tie and is an interesting contender.

Form: 5273-

Boethius^v1²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 96

50/1

Has failed to hit the frame in six attempts over hurdles. Makes his seasonal reappearance off a reduced handicap mark and has the champion jockey booked, so some positive factors. First-time visor may help, too.

Form: 5F45P7-

Cheltenam De Vaige²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 96

5/2

Placed twice in seven starts over hurdles and makes his debut for a stable in decent form. Has a lay-off to overcome, but looks quite interesting and a market check is recommended.

Form: 8F033P-

Onehelluvatouch^p1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Hide| OR: 96

40/1

Winner on the Flat who has had three runs in novice company to qualify for this first crack at a handicap. Wears cheekpieces for the first time, has a leading jockey on board and catches the eye.

Form: 565

Rob Robin²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 96| CD

4/1

Off the mark at the sixth attempt over hurdles when comfortably landing a C&D handicap last month. Has been raised 9lb, which makes life tough, but on the flip side he is in form and seems to be improving.

Form: 8P/4531

Ermyn's Emerald¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 92

50/1

Out of the frame in eight outings over hurdles and well beaten at Huntingdon on latest run. Falling in the weights, but needs to show significant improvement.

Form: 9704-P8

Cheque En Blanc¹⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 87

6/4

Unplaced in nine hurdle races when trained by Tom Symonds, he starts out for a stable which has a fine record at this track. Off a career-low mark, so could be a contender if the change of scenery has worked.

Form: 4PP7-66

Yorkshire Star^p¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-11| J: James Davies| T: W G M Turner| OR: 102

40/1

Fourth in three hurdles, he makes his debut in a handicap. Has possibilities, but it is not easy for juveniles to match strides with their elders at this stage of their careers.

Form: 444

Sixties Idol^b1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 84

33/1

Has hinted at ability in eight starts over hurdles, but has been well beaten on her last two outings and has dropped in the weights accordingly. Needs first-time blinkers to have a positive effect.

Form: 345506

Kenyan^p,t²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: S Durack| OR: 100

8/1

Kept on steadily when second to Rob Robin over C&D last time and is 6lb better off for a 4½L beating. He is one of the more likely contenders, but may have to play second fiddle again to his old rival.

Form: 5432

Non-Runners

Oscar's Song¹²

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Dizzey Heights²⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: N B King J: T E Whelan

Forecasts

Cheque En Blanc (6/4), Cheltenam De Vaige (5/2), Oscar's Song (10/3), Rob Robin (4/1), Kenyan (8/1), Jebs Gamble (16/1), Ochos Rios (20/1), Dizzey Heights (25/1), Sixties Idol (33/1), Onehelluvatouch (40/1), Yorkshire Star (40/1), Ermyn's Emerald (50/1), Boethius (50/1)

Top weight Jebs Gamble looks to have been harshly treated by the handicapper so Cheltenam De Vaige, on his first start for his in-form yard, looks a better option. Both may struggle against ROB ROBIN, who is taken to confirm recent C&D form with Kenyan. Any support for Cheque En Blanc would be significant, a remark which also applies to Onehelluvatouch. Ochos Rios and Oscar's Song are others to consider.