14:00 Plumpton

Monday 27 January 2020

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Catering Service International Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:04 | Winning time: 4m 39.95s

Wenceslaus⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 107| C

3/1

Scored over 2m4f here in October, and recorded his second chase success when winning at Leicester (2m; good to soft) last month. Only 3lb higher, and the return to a left-handed track is a big plus. Very likeable profile.

Form: 73-3121

Vicenzo Mio^t,v1²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 103| D

15/2

Three-time winning hurdler and his record of 0-10 over fences would advise caution. Needs to bounce back from major disappointment last time out when tailed off over 2m4f at this track. Others make more appeal.

Form: 526-627

Hope's Wishes^t1⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: F Brennan| OR: 96| CWS

14/1

Course winner who has not been seen for 64 days. Has had wind surgery in that time. Fell on seasonal return to action over fences, and was then never dangerous most recently when returned to hurdles. Seven-race maiden over fences.

Form: 2176-F5

Scaramucci⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R T Dunne| T: J Farrelly| OR: 83

9/2

Yet to strike in twelve attempts under rules. Drops markedly back in trip despite being one-paced at Taunton over 3m last month. May improve from that seasonal reappearance run, but he has an unattractive profile and others look more tempting.

Form: 560-056

Fethard Flyer^t1²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 83

20/1

Cannot be fancied in any way given how poorly he has ran over hurdles the last twice. Pulled-up two starts ago, and was then tailed-off when last seen at Wincanton (2m; soft). Makes chasing debut and is readily opposed.

Form: 0-FP6P0

Clondaw Robin^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 79

11/4

Posted a decent effort on just second chase start when bumping into one at Lingfield (2m; heavy) at the start of the month. Just failed to get up for second, and should be firmly involved on that evidence.

Form: 00P-413

Beet Topper⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: Miss A M Newton-Smith| OR: 76

14/1

Managed to complete at the third time of asking over fences last time (pulled-up/fell prior to that) when fifth of six over slightly shorter here. However, he was tailed-off and his overall record suggests he has masses to find. Look elsewhere.

Form: 40P-FP5

Shanroe Smooch²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 72

9/1

Failed to improve since switched to handicaps over the past year (mark has dropped 18lbs in that time). Makes chasing debut and although he won a point-to-point, he will need to step up markedly on his recent performances.

Form: P40P-70

Forecasts

Clondaw Robin (11/4), Wenceslaus (3/1), Scaramucci (9/2), Vicenzo Mio (15/2), Shanroe Smooch (9/1), Hope's Wishes (14/1), Beet Topper (14/1), Fethard Flyer (20/1)

A pretty uncompetitive affair which offers WENCESLAUS a golden opportunity to record a third win in just four starts since going over the larger obstacles. He jumped left-handed at times when successful last time out, so this track should suit him and he can make light work of a recent 3lb rise in the handicap. The biggest danger to the selection is likely to be Clondaw Robin who posted a much more encouraging effort over fences when third earlier this month. He is still lightly raced and has solid claims if able to build on that run. Although he disappointed over hurdles at this track recently, Vicenzo Mio has placed form over fences here and can prove best of the rest.