15:35 Plumpton

Wednesday 18 January 2023

All13:2513:5514:2515:0015:3516:10

Strong Flavours Catering Handicap Hurdle

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Danny Burton⁽⁵⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 110| D

Breakthrough win over hurdles came at Catterick in March and proved better than ever with the hood left off to record a second success in this sphere at Fontwell (25.8f, soft) on Boxing Day, a soundly-run affair suiting him well. Up just 3 lb and should be in the mix again.

Form: 331-331

Golden Cosmos¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 110

Hit the frame a couple of times for Philip Fenton last winter and stepped forward from his yard debut when third of 8 at Ascot in November. Similar form when mid-field at Haydock (24.3f, soft) since and likely to find a few too strong once again.

Form: 240-535

Gerico Ville¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 110

Related to plenty of winners and placed twice in maidens over 19.5f last season. Disappointing on return but matched the pick of his previous efforts when a close third at Fakenham on New Year's Day, leaving the impression a stronger gallop might have suited.

Form: 523F-43

Midnight Mary^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 107| D

3-time winner last season for Stuart Edmunds and proved better than ever in first-time cheekpieces (minus her usual tongue strap) on return/yard debut when finishing runner-up at this track (20.5f, soft) last month. Leading claims with a repeat.

Form: 14113-2

Mr Harp¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Nathan Brennan⁽⁷⁾| T: T Gallagher| OR: 102

Mixed record last season and shaped as if needing the run when fifth at Lingfield on return. Failed to come on for that effort when down the field at Haydock recently but has dropped to a tempting mark as a result so interesting to see if he attracts any support.

Form: 5P4P-57

Shot Boii^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 102

Has returned an improved model, completing the hat-trick in familiar fashion at Uttoxeter (23.3f, heavy) on New Year's Eve, finding extra when tackled last. Up 4 lb today but fancied to go well in his bid for the 4-timer.

Form: 1P4-111

Gold Clermont^h²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 94

Rather in and out for Tom Lacey but stepped forward on her second outing for this stable when third at Lingfield in November. Rather predictably wasn't in the same form back there last month so she's tough to rely on.

Form: P5P-533

El Hageb Rose⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: P Butler| OR: 94| CD

Very lightly raced for Gary Moore and caused a major upset starting out for Paddy Butler when landing 7-runner handicap over C&D in November. Possibly found the race coming too soon at Fontwell 3 weeks later but he's not one to be making excuses for.

Form: 226/P-17

Entre Deux¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Henderson| OR: 85

Remains a maiden but he did show first form over fences when runner-up at Fontwell (21.6f, soft) 11 months ago. Went with no encouragement back over timber at Hereford (19.7f, soft) earlier this month so it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 5PFP2-P

Aikenbreakinheart^t⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 83

Showed ability in maiden hurdles at up to 3m in Ireland. Unable to reach that level in handicaps for current yard, though stopped the slide to some extent at Fontwell (21.8f) with the tongue tie left off last month. Just as likely to run poorly today, however.

Form: 74-P665

Forecasts

Midnight Mary (7/2), Shot Boii (4/1), Spike Jones (4/1), Gerico Ville (5/1), Golden Cosmos (13/2), Gold Clermont (10/1), Mr Harp (12/1), Aikenbreakinheart (20/1), El Hageb Rose (20/1), Entre Deux (33/1)

MIDNIGHT MARY ran a cracker on return/yard debut when runner-up over 20.5f here last month, and with this step back up in trip sure to be in her favour, Lucy Wadham's charge is fancied to go a place better today. Spike Jones proved better than ever when recording his third career success on Boxing Day so he's put forward as the main danger, with the in-form Shot Boii and Mr Harp another couple worth considering.