14:55 Plumpton

Sunday 23 September 2018

All14:2014:5515:2516:0016:3017:0017:35

Core Spreads Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 3m 43.5s

Fergall²⁷⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 137| CD

8/1

Been a decent performer in his time but is getting a little long in the tooth. Last hurdles win came over C&D in April 2014 but has run plenty of good races in defeat since then. Eased 3lb but may need run after nine-month absence.

Form: 743/F70-

Garo De Juilley^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 135

8/1

Only wins in 10 starts for Paul Nicholls came when long odds-on in modest novice hurdle at Taunton last spring but placed on a number of occasions. Decent second at Newton Abbot last month and just 2lb higher now.

Form: 233F-22

Melody Of Scotland³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 130| D

11/4

Drops back in trip having looked a tricky ride when fair second at Worcester last month. Raised 2lb and yard in fine form so has to be one for the shortlist if on best behaviour.

Form: 2/1-332

Shining Romeo¹³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: D P Quinn| OR: 129| D

12/1

Won at Huntingdon in February and scored again last time out off 11lb higher mark at same track where all three wins have come. Not quite so good away from there and hiked 7lb but seems in good heart and has place prospects at least.

Form: 58162-1

Solatentif^b,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 125| D

12/1

Won twice in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead three years ago but hasn't troubled the judge in 17 starts in this country over a wide variety of trips. Drop back to minimum trip looks a little desperate and he doesn't make too much appeal.

Form: 66-3729

Regulation^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 125| D

10/1

Only win in last three years came at Kempton in April, but looked set to score last time until curling up from the final flight when second at Newton Abbot. Up 4lb but didn't look as though his heart was in it and may be best left for now.

Form: 272442

Bleu Et Noir^h³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120| D

16/1

3-12 over timber but hasn't won for two years. 10lb lower than last success but ran with promise until possibly blowing up when third at Newton Abbot last month. Now 2lb lower and has a decent chance this time.

Form: 1F6P/7-3

Phoenix Dawn^b,t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell| OR: 118| D

20/1

Won Ludlow juvenile hurdle last November but didn't cut much ice in handicaps after that. Had a spin on the Flat in July so should be fit and is 5lb lower than last moderate hurdles outing.

Form: 12737-6

East Indies^p1³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 116| CD

7/2

Won this race 12 months ago off exactly the same mark but did little after that. Distant fourth last time but may have been primed for a repeat bid for this event so has to be respected for very shrewd yard.

Form: 2/1896-4

Jumping Jack²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

13/2

Placed in seven of nine completed starts over hurdles but lacks a finishing kick and possibly not the heartiest of battlers. Remains feasibly weighted though and the penny has to drop at some point so cannot be ruled out of the equation.

Form: 2242-U2

Forecasts

Melody Of Scotland (11/4), East Indies (7/2), Jumping Jack (13/2), Garo De Juilley (8/1), Fergall (8/1), Regulation (10/1), Shining Romeo (12/1), Solatentif (12/1), Bleu Et Noir (16/1), Phoenix Dawn (20/1)

BLEU ET NOIR should be fitter than last time and is well handicapped on the pick of his old form so might be worth chancing in an open event. Last year's winner East Indies may well have been prepped for this and shouldn't be far away off the same mark, while bottom weight Jumping Jack knows how to finish in the money without getting his head in front. Higher up the weights Shining Romeo, Melody Of Scotland, and Garo De Juilley shouldn't be far away either.