14:05 Plumpton

Sunday 7 January 2018

All12:3013:0013:0513:3013:3514:0514:3515:1015:45

Download The At The Races iPad App Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:07 | Winning time: 5m 27.0s

Stolberg^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: D L Williams| OR: 100

14/1

Recorded three of his four Irish wins on heavy ground. Handicapper has has his measure since crossing the Irish Sea this season, but now on an attractive mark and also dropped in grade. Much better effort anticipated.

Form: 280-007

Project Mars^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 100

5/1

Ran well a couple of times at up to 2m3f last season. Out of form in the autumn, though a drop in the handicap coincided with a return to form last time at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy). Nudged up 1lb for that and 5lb also claimed. Each-way claims.

Form: 2-F5062

Tzar De L'Elfe^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe| OR: 99

12/1

0-29 so far. Has been chasing on last two starts and ran well until falling at the last at Leicester last time. Hurdles form not as good and was well held from just 1lb higher when last hurdling here over 3m1f in April. Others preferred.

Form: 5P74-3F

Champion Chase⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: James Nixon⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Bosley| OR: 99| BF

28/1

Handled heavy ground when making frame in a Lingfield maiden hurdle (2m) last February. Stays this far and has run reasonably well a couple of times in handicaps from slightly higher than this when with Kim Bailey. Needs improvement on stable debut.

Form: 0335-48

Clondaw Westie^p1,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 96

4/1

Was a heavy ground point-to-point winner. Struggled to make an impact over hurdles last season, but much better last time at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy). Nudged up 1lb for that, but if cheek pieces are positive then he should be competitive again.

Form: 10/975-3

Snippetydoodah^h,t⁴⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: M Roberts| OR: 96| CD

12/1

Both of her wins have come on heavy ground, including over C&D last February from 6lb lower. Comfortably held at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) on reappearance, but return here and on heavy ground could see her involved again.

Form: 22P12-7

Jully Les Buxy⁶⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 96

25/1

Has made the frame in half of her six hurdles without yet winning. Heavy ground a slight concern as she looks as though she would prefer it better than this.. 9lb drop since last run puts her on a handy mark if fit after a lengthy absence.

Form: 42432/0-

Bact To Black¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 95| BF

15/2

Showed minor promise on debut 14-months ago, but not as good in three subsequent runs, including when favourite on handicap debut at Exeter (2m5½f, soft) last month. Has plenty to prove from same mark.

Form: 6-U97

Heluvagood^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 93

14/1

Has now dropped a total of 13lb since going handicapping last spring. Latest 3lb drop may begin to bring him into this after a reasonable effort at Exeter (2m5½f, soft) last time, though looks to have an each-way squeak at best.

Form: 7706-P4

Cafe Au Lait^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 92| BF

4/1

Has a heavy ground win over 2m3f to his name and made a decent start for this trainer when ½L third here over 2m (soft) last month. 4lb rise for that is unfortunate, but wouldn't put improvement past him with this stable and is short-listed.

Form: 41237-3

Yukon Delta^v¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 90| CD

11/1

Stays 3m1½f and has a C&D win to his name. Also ran well here over 3m1f last April, when runner-up in a similar race on good to firm ground from 6lb higher. Recent Fontwell run should have him spot on for another good run at this track.

Form: U2-8564

Majingilane^p1¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 88

40/1

No great shakes so far and it was a surprise that, after unseating on his handicap debut, he was sent off at just 8-1 when an eventual 39L defeat at Uttoxeter on his reappearance. Cheek pieces need to be very positive if he is to make an impact.

Form: U079U-9

Breaking Ground^p1,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 86

40/1

Has occasionally shown a glimpse of ability, though yet to do so since going handicapping this season. Another 4lb drop won't harm and cheek pieces may induce improvement, but still needs a fair bit of that to figure.

Form: 697758

Non-Runners

Chivers³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: D Steele J: Matthew Batchelor

Forecasts

Cafe Au Lait (4/1), Clondaw Westie (4/1), Project Mars (5/1), Bact To Black (15/2), Yukon Delta (11/1), Tzar De L'Elfe (12/1), Snippetydoodah (12/1), Heluvagood (14/1), Stolberg (14/1), Jully Les Buxy (25/1), Champion Chase (28/1), Breaking Ground (40/1), Majingilane (40/1), Chivers (50/1)

An open-looking heat and one where Cafe Au Lait is likely to prove popular with punters given his first effort for Dan Skelton here last month. A 4lb rise does not look insurmountable, though nor will it make this any easier and the suggestion is STOLBERG, who drops in grade after a slide in the weights and for whom trip and ground are just about ideal. Yukon Delta should be straighter for his reappearance run and should be capable of getting involved, while Clondaw Westie, Snippetydoodah and Project Mars are others who could have a say.