14:25 Plumpton

Sunday 3 January 2021

All12:1812:4813:2013:5314:2514:5815:28

Sky Sports Racing Sussex National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 7m 37.3s

Like The Sound^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: O Signy| OR: 132| D

50/1

Useful form when landing 2 staying handicap chases in early 2019 but just the one creditable effort last season and shaped as if amiss on return for new yard. Cheekpieces go on.

Form: 9F3PP-P

Defi Des Carres²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 127

11/1

A specialist in cross country events in France and came very close to making a winning debut for this yard at Cheltenham last month. Interesting to see how he gets on over regular fences.

Form: 151F-62

Seaston Spirit^b⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Sherwood| OR: 125| D

6/1

Most progressive in handicap chases last season, winning 3 of his last 4 starts, and easily exploited lower hurdles mark at Ffos Las on return. Remains of interest back over fences.

Form: 411P1-1

Salty Boy^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 125

9/2

Dual hurdles winner in Ireland and best effort for this yard this season when third in handicap chase in this headgear at Haydock 2 weeks ago. Stiffer test here should suit.

Form: U43-463

Dawson City³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: P Gundry| OR: 124| C

11/1

Not as good as he was but only just edged out at Exeter last month off a similar mark and should be competitive again. Runner-up in this 4 years ago.

Form: 4P4-032

Rathlin Rose^b²³

Age: 13| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 123

10/1

Grand servant for connections who has done most of his winning at Sandown and Ascot. Back to form when runner-up at Doncaster last time and was placed in this last year.

Form: 037-P62

Benevolentdictator²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| C

9/2

Signs of ability over hurdles and immediate improvement switched to fences when landing a Lingfield handicap on return. Followed up in good style here (25.7f) 3 weeks ago and remains unexposed.

Form: 9344-11

Special Acceptance^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber| OR: 118| C

4/1

Responded well to this headgear when scoring for the first time here (25.7f) last month. That was only his third chase start so may have more to offer.

Form: U94-531

Bermeo^p,t³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: K Brogan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 114

16/1

Gained second win of season at Cheltenham (25f) and good second back there next time. Not in same form at Exeter since but type to bounce back.

Form: 2P512P

Goodnight Charlie^b²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: C Fryer| OR: 110

28/1

Cut little ice last term but shaped as if retaining ability after 9 months off at Warwick and has fallen to a handy mark.

Form: 5PP65-4

Sackett²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 110

40/1

Fairly useful chaser but plenty to prove after 2 poor efforts this season.

Form: 20P3-PP

Cheque En Blanc^b³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 109| CD

11/1

C&D winner who was back to form when justifying market support in Fontwell handicap (26f) but only fourth off revised mark at Fakenham since. Blinkers back on.

Form: 1P-P714

Forecasts

Special Acceptance (4/1), Benevolentdictator (9/2), Salty Boy (9/2), Seaston Spirit (6/1), Rathlin Rose (10/1), Cheque En Blanc (11/1), Dawson City (11/1), Defi Des Carres (11/1), Bermeo (16/1), Goodnight Charlie (28/1), Sackett (40/1), Like The Sound (50/1)

It could be worth chancing SALTY BOY, who responded well to this headgear when third off this mark at Haydock and this step up in trip promises to suit. Seaston Spirit and Benevolendictator are on the upgrade so also need considering, while Defi des Carres is building up a good record in cross-country events so it will be interesting to see how he fares over these regular fences.