Monday’s Plumpton Tips
12:40 – Andashan
13:10 – Diplomatic Ash
13:40 – Ken Roy
14:10 – Lady Balko
14:40 – Whynotnowroy
15:10 – I Shut That D’Or
15:40 – Chique Angel
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
12:40 – Andashan
The well-built ANDASHAN laid a good platform for hurdling in two bumper runs in the spring and is taken to make the most of the 7 lb he receives from last month’s emphatic Carlisle scorer Epic West.
Andashan’s trainer, Chris Gordon, has won three of the last four renewals with a host of good horses and clearly targets this race with his better hurdlers. Westerton’s Flat ability suggests it’s only a matter of time before he posts a bigger performance over hurdles, and he could also have a say if reacting positively to first-time-blinkers.
Low Expectations, on his first start for Nick Gifford since leaving Paul Nolan, is one to watch in the betting, while Touquet is re-fitted with the headgear which he sported when winning over C&D in October; this grade (and trip) looks more suitable than Ascot last time.
13:10 – Diplomatic Ash
DIPLOMATIC ASH is entitled to build on his chase debut and reappearance at Lingfield (hampered and unseated at the second on his actual comeback at Kempton in October).
He produced his best form over hurdles in two starts at this venue and is preferred here to the returning Dubrovnik Harry, who has the build for chasing but may be seen to best effect over further.
Cheekpieces didn’t seem to have much effect on Hugos New Horse over hurdles, but he could improve now chasing from a tumbling handicap mark.
Course winners Alien Storm and Sea Invasion have some chasing experience to call upon and, along with recent Hereford hurdles winner D’Jo Dela Barriere, help make up a very competitive little event.
13:40 – Ken Roy
Having shown a fair level of ability in bumpers, KEN ROY, a half-brother to three French winners, including the fairly useful hurdler/chaser Fellow Mag, made a sound start to his hurdles career when fourth at Lingfield a month ago.
Sure to build on that with the slightly longer trip here in his favour, he looks the answer in favour of Jail No Bail, who clearly hasn’t been the easiest to train with just three starts since November 2022, and Bold Recruit.
The last-named has been most consistent and received a serious form boost when his Hereford conqueror Mirabad easily landed a competitive handicap at Cheltenham at the weekend.
14:10 – Lady Balko
Having improved markedly since stepping up in trip in handicaps, LADY BALKO marked herself as a young chaser to follow when scooting clear over C&D a fortnight ago, so she’s taken to defy a 9 lb rise at the expense of Sadler’s Bay, who wasn’t disgraced after 10 months off when third at Market Rasen recently and now heads back up in trip fitted with a first-time tongue tie.
Northern Poet has gone well fresh previously, so he goes on the shortlist after a summer wind-op, along with the strong-stayer Foxboro, who was pulled up in the Midlands National when last seen but has his first start for Archie Watson this afternoon.
Despite chasing a six-timer, Village Master was sent off a big price on his return, suggesting the run was needed, and he isn’t one to take lightly either in first-time cheekpieces. Similar comments apply to Born At Midnight.
14:40 – Whynotnowroy
Though returning as a beaten favourite, WHYNOTNOWROY made a promising start for Neil Mulholland when runner-up at Fontwell last month and is weighted to go one better here.
Mutley Crew looked an improved model when going in at the same track on his handicap debut in October and is feared most after a short break, while course winner Tara Iti – who bumped into a classy sort in a seller last time – and the lightly-raced Trevor’s Lad can also have a say.
The lightly-raced Jewel Eyed Judy shaped as if the run was needed at Warwick last month and should be monitored for signs of confidence in the betting on this handicap debut.
Should he get an easy lead (the Timeform pace prediction for the race is ‘weak’), then course winner Macari could also bounce back from a poor run here last time.
15:10 – I Shut That D’Or
After a modest spell over hurdles, C&D winner I SHUT THAT D’OR confirmed his return to form over fences at Wincanton last month and still looks fairly treated from this 2 lb higher mark.
He is unlikely to be pestered too much on the lead; he can land the spoils. Mutual Respect rates the chief threat, with this test likely to suit more than when out-speeded when chasing a hat-trick at Sedgefield last time.
Hidalgo des Bordes won after a break last season and is respected upon returning to action after a summer wind operation.
He has a 5 lb edge on Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings.
15:40 – Chique Angel
Representing an in-form Paul Nicholls team, CHIQUE ANGEL gets the nod. She has been off the track since an encouraging debut at Warwick (when very green) over a year ago and can improve enough to open her account at the second attempt.
Mustang Betty has also been off a good while since a positive start, but she’s feared most ahead of the well-bred newcomer Media Style, a sister to the prolific French/Italian 2m1f-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Styline.
Market support for Comely Capri, a newcomer whose dam is from the family of UAE 1m1f Group 2 winner Mahbooba, would be significant in a very winnable race.
Monday’s Plumpton Tips
12:40 – Andashan
13:10 – Diplomatic Ash
13:40 – Ken Roy
14:10 – Lady Balko
14:40 – Whynotnowroy
15:10 – I Shut That D’Or
15:40 – Chique Angel
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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