14:35 Plumpton

Monday 17 December 2018

All12:2512:5513:3014:0014:3515:0515:35

Bluebell Vineyard Estates Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 2.0s

Shimba Hills^p,t¹⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 102| CD

14/1

Won this race in 2016 off a 3lb lower mark that being the first part of a C&D double. Lightly-raced since then (only had three outings over hurdles) he's also been tried on the AW and over fences last time which didn't go to plan; plenty to prove.

Form: 1132/7-4

Hurry Henry^t³⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 102| D

50/1

Returns from another long absence; had little to show for all his GB runs having at one-time shown some fair chase form in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead. Pulled up in all his three starts for this yard he remains a less than solid proposition.

Form: P44/PPP-

Legend Of France¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 102| CD

3/1

Pulled off an unlikely 25-1 win last time over C&D by 6L beating Seaweed fair and square showing improved form on a return from a break with her usual hood left off. A 9lb turnaround in the weights should bring the pair closer together this time.

Form: 689-P81

Filemon^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 99

13/2

Has been threatening to come good over fences for his last few starts and confirmed that promise back over hurdles last time when finishing 3rd after a short break. Kept over hurdles he travels well and could well score off this mark; certain player.

Form: 09-U353

Seaweed¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 97| BF

5/2

Gambled on last time and ran his best race so far over C&D last time but bumped into an improved Legend Of France. Now better off at the weights with that one and did travel well in that last contest although his jumping could do with tidying up.

Form: 40-7042

Sadma³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Garner| T: N Lampard| OR: 96| D

16/1

Tried more over fences than hurdles since his last win in this sphere unsuccessfully only completing once. Now returned to hurdles having slipped below his last winning mark but has yet to show that he can still reproduce that sort of form.

Form: PP-83PU

Generous Jack¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J E Moore| T: J & S Best| OR: 95| D

5/1

Had two of today's rivals in front of him (and one just behind) on his return to action after a considerable break over C&D recently. Shaped as though he retained all his old ability in first-time blinkers (removed now); entitled to build on that.

Form: 20733/3

Golden Cannon¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 89| C

14/1

4th last time out with the 1-2-3 in that race taking her on again as she followed a winning course run (2m2f) with a below-par effort. The 10lb rise in the weights for winning seemingly proving to be her downfall; similar story expected today.

Form: 65P414

Mercer's Troop⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 100WS

8/1

Fairly useful on the Flat (won on debut) he was given three quick and unsuccessful runs to gain a hurdles mark before having some wind surgery. The mark isn't a generous one but none the less he should be respected and watched in the market.

Form: 077

Molliana⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94

40/1

Unlike her fellow three-year-old in this her Flat form was rather poor and although she has gained a mark after three juvenile hurdles runs she will need to improve. Best watched for now unless the market provides a positive signal.

Form: 575

Forecasts

Seaweed (5/2), Legend Of France (3/1), Generous Jack (5/1), Filemon (13/2), Mercer's Troop (8/1), Shimba Hills (14/1), Golden Cannon (14/1), Sadma (16/1), Molliana (40/1), Hurry Henry (50/1)

One of the more interesting events on the card with the first four home in a recent C&D event won by Legend Of France who now has to cope with a 10lb rise in the weights if she is to follow up that win. Second in that contest was Seaweed who should get closer at the revised weights but will still need to jump better with the third Generous Jack likely to prove a lively threat although this will be his second run back from a long break. FILEMON had been shaping well over fences and also looked a winner in waiting when third over hurdles last time and he’s given the vote here. Mercer’s Troop should be noted in the market coming from a powerful yard on handicap debut after wind surgery.