13:45 Plumpton

Sunday 2 January 2022

All12:0812:3813:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

Free Replays On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 24.4s

Top Man⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 102| CD

5/2

Readily capitalised on a reduced mark at this track (25f) in November and backed it up with a solid effort in third at Ludlow later in the month. Should give another good account after a short break.

Form: 908513

Clear The Runway^h1,t⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 100

17/2

Twice-raced maiden hurdler, better effort when fourth of 11 in novice at Ludlow (15.8f) 73 days ago. Hood on for handicap debut, and point form gives him a bit of scope for improvement.

Form: F352-34

Coillte Eile¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 95

22/1

Failed to shine for Fergal O'Brien last season, and though yet to make much impact for current stable did travel with a bit more purpose at Uttoxeter last time, so not discounted from sliding mark.

Form: 645-686

Lincoln Lyn^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 90

11/2

Has improved since switched to handicaps and wasn't seen to best effect when only fifth at Wincanton 19 days ago, so she's worth a chance to get back on the up.

Form: P4-5255

Cochise²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 85

13/8

Fairly useful Flat winner who is yet to match that over hurdles. More promise and not knocked about in a C&D novice 20 days ago though, and he's potentially thrown in from a lowly opening mark.

Form: P77

Flaherty²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 84

18/1

Little show on two completed outings (fell last time) over hurdles. Mark looks stiff on what she's achieved, but she's bred to do better.

Form: 99F

Mickyh^p1,t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: A West| OR: 74

18/1

Decent NH pedigree, but hasn't shown much in 5 outings over hurdles. Cheekpieces need to bring out a chunk of improvement.

Form: 4PP-78

Towtheline⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: H Brown| OR: 74

80/1

Runner-up sole start between the flags in April but has offered precious little so far under Rules. Hard to fancy on handicap debut.

Form: 26574

Who Is That^h⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: G Sheehan| T: C Gordon| OR: 69

11/1

Has shown very little in bumper/over hurdles. Set for another struggle from out of the weights.

Form: 006-95

Forecasts

Cochise (13/8), Top Man (5/2), Lincoln Lyn (11/2), Clear The Runway (17/2), Who Is That (11/1), Mickyh (18/1), Flaherty (18/1), Coillte Eile (22/1), Towtheline (80/1)

There was more promise from COCHISE on his qualifying run here last time and, based on Flat form, a mark of 85 might vastly underestimate him, so a chance is taken on him to make a successful switch to handicaps. Top Man seems revitalised of late, so he's an obvious danger, while Clear The Runway is another notable handicap debutant.