16:40 Plumpton

Monday 26 February 2018

All14:0014:3015:0015:3516:0516:4017:15

Strong Flavours Catering Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 6m 55.4s

Soulsaver^t⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 101| BF

2/1

Consistent this term, winning at Fontwell in November. 10lb higher now and steps up over a mile on last run so has stamina to prove. Stable remains in good form though.

Form: 52-3123

Double Accord^t⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 100

4/1

Had a miserable time in two novice chases this term and reverts to timber now. Won at Taunton off 2lb lower mark 22 months ago and some fair efforts followed that success. Wouldn't want ground too tacky though.

Form: 1/332-U6

Fizzlestix³²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 97

14/1

Showed nothing for Nick Skelton in three starts back in 2015 and has subsequently been busy between the flags. First start for new yard and a decent display not ruled out, but has it to prove.

Form: 2/5F132-

Hill Fort^b,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 95

14/1

Never won beyond two miles and just 3-46 overall. Third start for current yard and has been dropped 5lb but this distance may push him beyond the limit. Hard to enthuse over in current poor form.

Form: 300838

Mickieblueeyes^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 95| C

7/2

Won bumper here Feb 2016 and very lighltly raced since. Stayed on on handicap bow at Huntingdon (2m4f) last time so worth a go over this longer trip. Still relatively unexposed.

Form: 1/7-694

The Lion Dancer^b1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: C J Mann| OR: 89

10/1

Has looked out of love with the game this term and ran out when struggling last time at Towcester. Connections reach for first-time blinkers in the hope they'll focus his mind.

Form: 15P66R

Stonebrigg Legend²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: T E Whelan| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 84

7/1

Beaten a long way when distant third on handicap bow at Southwell three weeks ago. Showed glimmers of form in bumpers earlier on but more needed this time.

Form: 543-493

Poyntzpass¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: R C Harper| OR: 79

16/1

Won a couple of point-to-points but has looked of very limited ability so far under rules. Dropped 4lb and jockey claims 5lb more, but needs to get his act together to figure in this event.

Form: P35345

Forecasts

Soulsaver (2/1), Mickieblueeyes (7/2), Double Accord (4/1), Stonebrigg Legend (7/1), The Lion Dancer (10/1), Fizzlestix (14/1), Hill Fort (14/1), Poyntzpass (16/1)

There are question marks over just about all the runners in this staying handicap hurdle so a chance is taken that MICKIEBLUEEYES will improve a touch for this longer trip. He ran a satisfactory race last time out. Anthony Honeyball's pair of Soulsaver and Double Accord both have claims on the pick of their form, with the former marginally preferred if he can see out this longer event. Fizzlestix and Stonebrigg Legend are others with outside chances.