14:40 Plumpton

Sunday 5 January 2020

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

Sky Sports Racing Sussex National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 7m 48.5s

Vinnie Lewis²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 133| CD

17/2

2018 winner of this lightly raced since with solitary subsequent score over hurdles. Held on return before taking part in voided London National at Sandown. Still to prove this mark within range but trip and ground combination ideal.

Form: 1262-6V

Rathlin Rose^b⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 128

50/1

Eight-time winner at up to 3m1f set stiff tasks in Welsh National and Cheltenham Cross Country chase latest. Not entirely convinced he wants this sort of test and little recent evidence of him being well handicapped.

Form: 7-679V0

Hard To Forget²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 125| C

3/1

Never recovered from a first fence blunder on chase debut but since won easily over 3m1f at Hereford and 3m1½f here. Up another 8lb for his 16L win latest but looks an ideal sort for this genuine marathon test and fancied here.

Form: 317-811

Weststreet^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 123

16/1

Dour-stayer ended last term with a 3m6½f win at Perth and 4m win after a 4m win on heavy ground at Hexham. This trip a bare minimum and well held in two starts to begin this term so may do better over further in the spring again.

Form: 8311-5P

Christmas In April^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 123

9/2

Improved for longer trip when second at Chepstow (3m2f) and duly went one better in four-runner contest over the same trip at Fontwell last time. This sort of trip should suit and a contender here despite 3lb rise.

Form: 0053-21

The Caller^v⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: R Stephens| OR: 122| C

14/1

Lightly raced under Rules but showed appreciation for this sort of trip with 3m5f win at Sedgefield. Pulled up since at Fontwell when reportedly never travelling but Sedgefield effort good enough to merit consideration.

Form: P-3231P

Billy Bronco^p⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122

20/1

Battling success over 3m2½f at Sedgefield last time out his second win in his last four starts. Seemed to stay 3m6f at Uttoxeter 12 months ago and improved since then so well worth another crack at this sort of test; respected.

Form: 4U14-61

Belle Empress³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

9/2

Improved for the step up to 3m6½f (from 3m) latest where she won at Exeter in incredibly game fashion when under today's excellent 5lb claimer for the first time. Such tests look like the making of her and bold bid expected here.

Form: 543-661

Garrane^p1³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 121

8/1

Still winless over fences but placed six times in eight starts. Second over 3m6½f at Exeter in only previous try at a marathon trip and no back number here although vulnerable to less exposed runners.

Form: 2P32-73

Sackett⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 121

22/1

Good second over 3m2f at Uttoxeter (good-to-soft) in June but finished well held over hurdles at Chepstow (soft) last month on his only subsequent outing. Stepping up in trip on his return to chasing.

Form: 3-P1220

Uallrightharry³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 110| C

8/1

Novice who followed up his 3m2f win at Fontwell with success here over 3m1½f. Still in with every chance here when unseating at the last most recently and again merits respect today with this longer trip likely to suit.

Form: 8F41-1U

Forecasts

Hard To Forget (3/1), Christmas In April (9/2), Belle Empress (9/2), Uallrightharry (8/1), Garrane (8/1), Vinnie Lewis (17/2), The Caller (14/1), Weststreet (16/1), Billy Bronco (20/1), Sackett (22/1), Rathlin Rose (50/1)

This sort of test looks likely to be right up HARD TO FORGET's street given the way he powered clear after being headed here over 3m1f last time out and Henry Oliver's improving youngster looks the one to side with in this competitive renewal of the race; seven-year-olds have won the last two renewals. Emma Lavelle's mare Belle Empress looked to be crying out for such a distance over 3m and she relished every yard of 3m6½f at Exeter latest suggesting her an ideal type for this similar stamina test. Christmas In April won like a real stayer at Fontwell and he too must be respected.