16:55 Plumpton

Sunday 11 April 2021

All14:1514:4515:2015:5016:2516:5517:30

William Purslow Memorial Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 5m 17.8s

Away For Slates¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Jones| T: M F Harris| OR: 110

8/1

Took advantage of sliding mark when scoring from the front at Fontwell (17.8f) last month. Followed up off 5 lb higher over same C&D recently and this further 5 lb rise may be manageable.

Form: 234511

Captain Cuckoo^t1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 108

10/1

Nine-race maiden pointer who needs to step up on what he's show in a trio of novice events if he's to have a say in the finish now tried in a handicap. Tongue strap applied.

Form: 3/F4-422

Billy's Angel^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Eddie Edge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 106

7/1

Off the mark for this yard in a jumpers bumper in February. Best effort yet over fences when 6¾ lengths third to Away For Slates at Fontwell last month and each-way chance if able to build on that.

Form: 510333

Finnegan's Garden²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 104| BF| CD

11/2

Veteran who ended 2019/20 campaign with a pair of victories, including here. Not at his best so far this term, though, finishing last of 6 behind Away For Slates at Fontwell last time.

Form: 344336

Avoir De Soins⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 96| D

9/2

Off the mark at third attempt over fences (first completion) at Lingfield (2½m, soft) in November. Has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts, but not one to write off by any means.

Form: 7P-F144

Counteract¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 88| D

6/4

Little show in bumpers/over hurdles, but looked an entirely different proposition when making a winning chase debut at Wincanton (20.2f, good) recently. 10 lb rise may not be enough to stop him.

Form: 6-090P1

Ardbruce³²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Quinlan| T: J W Mullins| OR: 81

14/1

Poor form over hurdles and has failed to complete on each of his 3 starts since switched to fences.

Form: 4-00PPU

Non-Runners

Nobel Leader¹⁹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 11

T: H J Evans J: Philip Armson

Forecasts

Counteract (6/4), Avoir De Soins (9/2), Finnegan's Garden (11/2), Billy's Angel (7/1), Away For Slates (8/1), Captain Cuckoo (10/1), Nobel Leader (12/1), Ardbruce (14/1)

COUNTERACT looked a different horse to the one who struggled over hurdles when making a successful start in this sphere at Wincanton. He's gone up 10 lb for that, but there should be more to come and he is taken to end the winning run of Away For Slates, who is bidding for the hat-trick following a brace of victories at Fontwell. Avoir de Soins is also considered.