Happy New Year From Gamble Plant Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 4f 1y | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mrs Vicki Sollitt⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 100| C| D

Down in the weights and off the mark for this yard at the 3rd attempt in 3-runner handicap hurdle (6/4) at Wincanton (19.8f, soft) 29 days ago, soon clear. That was a very thin race, however.

Form: 1P2/4-21

Heaven Smart^p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Miss Ellie Mayo⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 99| D

Successful on the back of a breathing op at Perth (20.1f) in September prior to a good second at Southwell (20.4f) a month later. Bounced straight back from a poor effort when third at Musselburgh last time and has a 3 lb lower mark to work with back over hurdles.

Form: P-412P3

Getaway With You^t,p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Edward Vaughan⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 96| BF| D

Has thrived since a tongue strap was combined with cheekpieces, landing a quickfire hat-trick over hurdles with an easy success at Lingfield (19.6f, good) last month. Had run ended at Uttoxeter (19.9f) 2 weeks ago but shaped as if still in top form and expected to go well again.

Form: 521112

Clear The Runway⁴³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Ellie Callwood⁽⁷⁾| T: L Morgan| OR: 94| D

Prolific in 2022 but very much on the downgrade when last seen in 2024. Market probably the best guide on this belated return to action.

Form: 5P/670P-

Kilnacarra^t³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Venetia Thompson⁽⁷⁾| T: J Bedi| OR: 80WS

Modest at form at best in Ireland in 2021 and no show in 3 comeback outings for new yard after a huge absence. Has had a breathing operation.

Form: 58P/5PP

Eliza Dolittle¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Olive Nicholls| T: N J Gifford| OR: 80

Dual Plumpton scorer who returned to her best when runner-up there (20.5f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Has to be taken seriously from 2 lb higher.

Form: 661-552

Cher Monsieur^p1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr A P Ryan| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 79

Maiden who ran creditably after 7 months off when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) 31 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 090-354

Milan Milos²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr James King| T: T R Gretton| OR: 79

Has yet to better poor form over hurdles but hasn't shaped without some promise and could go well from his reduced mark if keeping mistakes to a minimum.

Form: 550-475

Forecasts

Hidor De Bersy (15/8), Getaway With You (11/4), Eliza Dolittle (4/1), Cher Monsieur (13/2), Heaven Smart (7/1), Clear The Runway (20/1), Milan Milos (25/1), Kilnacarra (66/1)

ELIZA DOLITTLE returned to her best when runner-up at Plumpton 18 days ago and is the percentage call to go one better from a 2 lb higher mark. Getaway With You has been thriving and is expected to go well again, while Milan Milos is no forlorn hope if he can keep mistakes to a minimum.