Chris Simpson From Plumpton To Pontefract Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 45.73s

Grove Road^v¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Dylan Johnston| T: James Owen| OR: 108| D

15/2

Opened account for this yard in a first-time visor at Newton Abbot last July and followed up back from a break at Huntingdon in November. Not disgraced on desperate ground in a Fontwell marathon recently and drop back in trip/better ground here will equate to a more suitable test.

Form: P11423

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Lumi Plugin²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽⁸⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107

6/4

):Runner-up both starts in maiden hurdles and stepped up appreciably on his comeback run at Wincanton when finishing a neck second of 10 in handicap at Leicester (15.5f, heavy) last month. This stiffer test promises to suit him down to the ground and he's on to be interested in.

Form: 362-202

Pure Theatre^t⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Chad Bament⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 100

8/1

Tasted success twice in mares' hurdles in spring 2023 but has been more miss than hit since. That said, the handicapper continues to show mercy and, as a 7-y-o with 15 runs under her belt overall, time is certainly still on her side.

Form: 63-6886

Malago Rose^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harriet Tucker⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 100

13/2

Beaten a fair way on return/debut for new yard at Ludlow in November, but produced a career-best next time out when taking a 7-runner Fakenham handicap (23.4f, soft) on New Year's Day. However, failed to back that up over the same C&D since and she's probably worth taking on.

Form: 4-15514

San Pedro^p⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 99| CD

4/1

Struck twice over this C&D last term, including a wide-margin success under Freddie Gordon in this corresponding race. Below par so far this season but he's edging back down the weights and will be a danger to all if able to bounce back.

Form: 17-6855

Vendant¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: R Rowe| OR: 88

6/1

Placed in points and left previous form in this sphere a long way behind when a fine second upped to 21.8f at Fontwell (soft) recently. This further step up in trip looks a good move and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 0/868-52

Non-Runners

La Dolce Dolly⁴¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: A Irvine J: Caoilin Quinn

Forecasts

Lumi Plugin (6/4), San Pedro (4/1), Vendant (6/1), Malago Rose (13/2), Grove Road (15/2), Pure Theatre (8/1), La Dolce Dolly (14/1)

LUMI PLUGIN and Vendant are both appealing now faced with a stiffer test. Marginal preference is for the former, who appears to be on a good mark having been raised just 2 lb for his close call at Leicester. Pure Theatre and last year's winner San Pedro are both dangerous to discount off reduced marks, while top-weight Grove Road should also make his presence felt.