Plumpton Racing Preview
The first Sunday of the new year brings with it some decent quality racing from Britain and Ireland.
There are three meetings from Chepstow, Plumpton and Naas, all over jumps.
At Plumpton the Sussex National is the main attraction, due off at 14:40 as part of their seven-race offering. We have tips for every race on the card.
12:35 - Master Trainer Chris Gordon Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m3½f)
Just three runners go to post for this opener and MARK OF GOLD should concede weight and prove superior to Lord Of Thunder and Classic Anthem. Gary & Josh Moore's charge was a useful hurdler and made a winning start over fences in a Grade 2 at Ascot before Christmas. That wasn't a strong event for the grade but he jumped well and has scope for more success.
Selection: Mark Of Gold
13:05 - Juvenile Hurdle (2m)
Newcomers Gibbs Island and Crown Of India are worth a second look, but French import MORNING AIR went about her business in pleasing style at Leicester (1m7½f, heavy) early last month on her first start for Venetia Williams. She was back from a layoff there and should come on for the run. This looks a suitable follow-up opportunity and conditions will be to her liking.
Selection: Morning Air
13:35 - Alan King EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (2m4½f)
Chepstow maiden winner The Bluesman should go well again for Paul Nicholls, while improvement is likely from the Nicky Henderson runner, As The Fella Says, given he moved with lots of promise at Warwick last month before getting tired late on as he finished second behind a decent prospect. JAX JUNIOR perhaps was given an easy lead at Doncaster (2m3½f, good to soft) as he opened his account last month, but there was much to like in the way he put his rivals under pressure. That was his second hurdles start, a first after wind surgery, and Lucy Wadham's promising charge may be one to keep onside.
Selection: Jax Junior
14:05 - Sussex Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (3m1f)
Lots of these arrive in good heart. Monmiral ran well in a Newbury Grade 2 over the trip last time but has top-weight to defy. Kilbarry Hill is bidding for a hat-trick and Cloud Dancer won at Doncaster last time out on his first go at this sort of trip. LEMONCELLO had no answer to Nemean Lion at Haydock (2m3½f, good to soft) before Christmas, but he was clear in second and is interesting off a low weight tackling this increased trip for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch.
Selection: Lemoncello
14:40 - Sussex National Handicap Chase (3m4½f)
Dom Of Mary won this 12 months ago for David Bridgewater but he remains 7lb clear of that winning mark and was pulled up at Ascot on his only start this season. East Street may now be in the clutches of the handicapper while Unanswered Prayers looks to have his share of weight. MINELLA BLUEWAY is the youngster in the pack at seven for Evan Williams. He has improved in each of three chasing starts as he goes up in trip and was second-best at Windsor (3m, good to soft) last month. He has to prove his stamina, but the signs are encouraging, and if he sees out the trip, he will have his chance.
Selection: Minella Blueway
15:15 - Super Tommy Cannon Handicap Chase (2m4f)
THEONLYWAYISESSEX won in ready fashion over course and distance at the start of last month for Alan King and Tom Cannon, and a 10lb rise in the ratings might not prevent him following up. He has a consistent profile over fences and can land this at the main expense of November's Sedgefield second Sun Joy from the Ben Pauling team.
Selection: Theonlywayisessex
15:50 - Zoe Davison Memorial Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Having failed to get beyond the first jump at Wincanton on his comeback early last month, BUCEPHALUS ran well in second spot at Chepstow (2m, soft) nine days ago in the hands of claiming rider Harriet Tucker. The consistent sort has fair claims from a 2lb higher mark on the evidence of that outing.
Selection: Bucephalus