14:35 Plumpton

Monday 9 March 2020

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Strong Flavours Catering Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 5m 24.10s

Vicenzo Mio^p,t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 98

5/2

All three wins have come over hurdles but last success was back in 2013. 0-12 over fences although ran fairly well when fourth at Warwick last time off 2lb higher mark. Not the force of old but may still figure.

Form: 6-62734

Ted Bach^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 88| BF

9/2

Two wins over hurdles at up to 2m3f and makes belated chasing bow here going straight into a handicap. Handles testing ground and will be interesting to see how he fares tackling larger obstacles for the first time.

Form: 5-83434

Bridgets Cross²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Henderson| OR: 85

16/1

Stable companion of Ted Bach. Only modest form in Ireland when gained sole place in 2m4f Kilbesggan mares maiden hurdle last summer. Shown little in two starts in Britian for current yard over hurdles and will do well to score on this chasing bow.

Form: 536P80

Westerberry¹⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 82

11/1

11-race maiden who has placed once from four attempts so far over fences. Led until headed and weakened from 4 out at Warwick in September on last outing, eventually finishing well beaten. 3lb lower and has a bit to prove.

Form: P/F38-37

Pottlereaghexpress⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: J McGrath| T: T Lawes| OR: 81

5/1

Just one place to her name from 12 attempts over hurdles and now makes chase debut. Handled soft ground penultimate start in December when third at Fontwell 2m2f on debut for current yard. Runs off same mark for this handicap chase bow.

Form: 74-7530

Soarlikeaneagle⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 78

4/1

Winning 3m pointer but only one place so far in 10 attempts under Rules. That came over C&D in January though when third in soft ground and appeared not to stay extra 2f when faded at Fontwell latest. Not out of it off 3lb lower mark.

Form: 87-4635

Hurry Henry^p¹¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 77

25/1

Won Irish maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead back in January 2016 but has raced infrequently and performed poorly over last trhee seasons. Appears to have a mountain to climb on first run since pulled up in November.

Form: PP/86P-0

Impulsive Leader^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 74

12/1

13-race maiden who pulled up at Lingfield in January then was beaten a long way at Market Rasen last month. Very hard to fancy on recent displays.

Form: 0473P4

Hab Sab^v¹²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Dave Crosse| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 71

25/1

No joy in 13 attempts so far and races here from 1lb out of the handicap. Fair third in 2m h'cap hurdle here in January last year but has shown very little in two hurdles starts this campaign. Returns to fences with a great deal to prove.

Form: 8P/P3-9P

Forecasts

Vicenzo Mio (5/2), Soarlikeaneagle (4/1), Ted Bach (9/2), Pottlereaghexpress (5/1), Westerberry (11/1), Impulsive Leader (12/1), Bridgets Cross (16/1), Hab Sab (25/1), Hurry Henry (25/1)

A very modest heat may fall to the top weight VICENZO MIO who could take this by default with so many question marks hanging over his rivals. He has been decent in his time and wasn't beaten far at all when fourth at Warwick recently. Ted Bach goes chasing for the first time and handles the ground so wouldn't have to improve much at all to figure, while the likes of Pottlereagh Express and Soarlikeaneagle are not out of it either if rising to the task.