14:40 Plumpton

Monday 4 November 2019

All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10

John And Jean Taylor's Diamond Anniversary Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 10.8s

Air Horse One^p,t¹⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 131WS

8/1

Has some good form in graded company but he struggled last season on the track, including latest at Punchestown (3m) where he was 11th of 23. Has had wind surgery now so he commands a lot of respect on his return to action. Worth consideration.

Form: 7026P-0

Dan McGrue^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130

13/2

Prevailed twice over hurdles as a novice and he came close to further success last time out on his return to action over this C&D when he was second of six, beaten by a short-head. Gone up just 1lb. Big player.

Form: 11/P3P-2

Not Never¹³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130| C

9/1

A four-time winner over hurdles. Scored over fences at Fontwell (2m2f) two starts back, while last time he finished 10th of 19 on the Flat at Ascot (2m4f). May need to find more from this latest mark but can't be discounted.

Form: 11/01-51

Theo's Charm²⁸²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 130| CWS

10/1

Recorded two wins over hurdles as a novice but has not followed that up since. He was third of 12 on his latest appearance at Uttoxeter (2m4f) last January. Has had wind surgery since then. One to consider.

Form: 204/533-

Mr Pumblechook²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 127| CD

5/1

His sole success came over this C&D back in December 2018. Has been unable to follow it up in three attempts since. He was sixth of nine on his latest outing at Exeter (2m5½f). Has been eased 2lb. Worth respecting off this mark.

Form: 321646-

Acey Milan^t¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125| CWS

7/4

Broke his maiden over hurdles at this course over 2m three runs ago. Was disappointing on his last outing at Punchestown (3m) as he could only finish eighth of 23. Has had windy surgery since and is down in trip here. Worth consideration.

Form: 4/2513-8

Trans Express^p¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 124| D

12/1

Experienced hurdler who has won six times. Has appeared twice already this season where he has been well held on both occasions, including latest at Cheltenham (2m5f) where he was eighth of 17. Others appeal more.

Form: 414-248

Debestyman²⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 121| CD

20/1

A C&D winner here last time out where he prevailed by 3¼L in a novice contest back in January. Set for his handicap debut in this race. Open to improvement so is worth consideration on his season opener.

Form: 5/15741-

Sizing At Midnight¹³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 120| BF

16/1

Was on a hat-trick bid last time out following wins at Ffos Las (2m6f) and Newton Abbot (2m5½f) but he had to settle for seventh place of nine at Ffos Las (3m). Back down in trip. More needed from this mark.

Form: 7P2-117

Forecasts

Acey Milan (7/4), Mr Pumblechook (5/1), Dan McGrue (13/2), Air Horse One (8/1), Not Never (9/1), Theo's Charm (10/1), Trans Express (12/1), Sizing At Midnight (16/1), Debestyman (20/1)

DAN MCGRUE was denied by just a short-head over this C&D last time on his seasonal reappearance and he can build upon that here by going one place better from this 1lb higher mark. Air Horse One is very capable off this mark and now he has had a wind-op, he may find some of old form which will see him in contention, while Theo's Charm is capable of filling the placings on his first run back since wind surgery.