13:10 Plumpton

Monday 18 December 2023

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

Harry Philips Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 5m 3.24s

Hardy Fella²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 125

5/1

Progressive over longer trips as a hurdler last year and surpassed his achievements in that sphere at the second attempt over fences when scrambling home at Fontwell (19.5f, soft) last month. Capable of better again.

Form: P221-41

Mullinaree^h,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: M G Nolan| T: S Hosie| OR: 124| D

28/1

Form took off when equipped with a hood and tongue strap combination, completing a five-timer at Hexham (20.1f) in June. Below par after 4 months off at Chepstow in October (final run for Milton Harris) but didn't jump well enough sent chasing at Kempton recently.

Form: 1-1115P

Scarface²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120| C

9/2

Recorded a brace of small-field novice hurdle victories last year. Return/debut over fences at Ascot was disappointing (made novicey mistakes) but showed more aptitude when third of 4 at Wincanton (15.7f, soft) last month. Should benefit from going back up in trip.

Form: P435-63

Pepe Le Moko⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 116| D

2/1

Showed fair form over hurdles and proved a different proposition sent chasing after 10 months off when scoring at Warwick (20f, heavy) just under 6 weeks ago. Still lightly raced and capable of going close in his follow-up bid.

Form: 4/3642-1

Monjules^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: H Fry| OR: 116

9/1

Progressive for this yard last season, winning 3 handicap hurdles. Given a break and returned at least as good as ever when runner-up at this track (20.5f, good to soft) 6 weeks ago. One to look out for on chasing debut.

Form: 9112-32

Oxygen³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 111| D

5/2

Winner of a newcomers' event over hurdles in France in 2021. Made a low-key start for his current connections last season but stepped up massively back over fences when justifying strong support at Lingfield on his return last month. One to keep on the right side of now.

Form: 4/5665-1

Godot^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A Irvine| OR: 110| C

33/1

Off the mark in a course maiden in April and decisive when following up in handicap company at Kempton (21f) in May. Not so good on both starts since returning from 6 months off and he looks a likely outside with attentions turned to the larger obstacles. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 831-173

Non-Runners

Red Windsor²⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: C Gordon J: Rex Dingle

Forecasts

Pepe Le Moko (2/1), Oxygen (5/2), Scarface (9/2), Hardy Fella (5/1), Monjules (9/1), Red Windsor (10/1), Mullinaree (28/1), Godot (33/1)

It's tough to get away from OXYGEN, who justified strong support back over fences for the first time since his 4-y-o days in France when scoring at Lingfield just under 5 weeks ago, and representing a yard in red-hot form, he looks one to keep firmly on the right side of. Pepe Le Moko looks the obvious danger having made the perfect start in this sphere at Warwick last month, with another last-time-out winner Hardy Fella rounding off the shortlist.