The dry spell that we have been experiencing, at least up until the point at which this preview was written, gives everyone hope that racing can take place on Monday.
As is often the case at Plumpton there is the prospect of seeing some potentially decent young prospects in the three novice events scheduled, all of which were well subscribed at the five day stage.
The opening juvenile hurdle should be an informative contest if the majority stand their ground.
Alan King is always a trainer to be respected wherever he sends his horses and although the form of the debut win from his entry Peter Grimes is moderate at best, he did win in ready fashion. Add to that the stable were out of form when that victory was accomplished and there is every reason to believe significant improvement is highly likely to be forthcoming with the stable now hitting its stride.
However the collateral form of Westlin Winds from the Charles Egerton yard gives his charge plenty in hand of Peter Grimes and the form of his debut win at Hereford looks stronger with a couple of winners finishing behind him on that occasion. Westlin Winds also gave the impression that staying was his forte and that will help in the likely testing conditions come Monday afternoon.
Another to consider is Tim Vaughan’s Am I Blue who is a half sister to the classy Deep Purple and was well backed last time when second at Fakenham.
Second up is the novice chase which forms a part of the Cheltenham Festival bonus series.
With that in mind it would perhaps be unrealistic to imagine that the entries for this round in the series to have aspirations to winning a championship novice event come next March, unlike when the series attracted the high class Bensalem in the previous qualifying race.
What one could foresee from some of the entries for Monday’s race is their developing into prospects for the handicaps at the Festival with the Jewson and the Grand Annual springing to mind.
Sure to be toward the front of the market are either of the Paul Nicholls entries Mahonia and Five Dream. Mahonia has some classy form to his name over hurdles but became regressive and the hope must be that fences reinvigorate his enthusiasm and the drop back to two miles benefits him.
Five Dream was declared at Cheltenham on Friday and is unlikely to take up his engagement here.
Shoreacres comes from the in form Brendan Powell yard and will relish the soft ground. He has been campaigned over hurdles at a very high level and was once fourth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. If he takes to fences he could become a very decent handicapper in time and will attract good support on Monday if turning up.
El Dancer must be respected having won a Graded hurdle at the Aintree National meeting and trainer Lucy Wadham and connections will be enthusiastic about his future over fences.
The local training contingent are represented by Numide, who progressed from his first run over fences when posting a decent second last time for Gary Moore and Nomecheki for Nick Gifford who is a course and distance winner and the real unexposed dark horse of the race. Both are sure to give a good account.
The novice hurdle that follows potentially brings together some very nice types who between them should pick up a number of races between them over the season.
Charles Egerton has Abbevillian entered. He pulled very hard on his seasonal debut but still managed to bolt up regardless and the step up to the intermediate trip seemed to suit him ideally. He could prove to be a progressive type if he learns to settle.
Paul Nicholls may send one of Oamaru Stone or Aldertune but neither look to be toward the front of the pecking order at Manor Stables and may go off a false price if turning up.
A much more interesting individual is the Colin Tizzard trained Cannington Brook. He went straight over fences but jumped very poorly in a high class Graded contest at Newbury and maybe the switch back to a lower grade hurdle contest will benefit the horse. If it does this very well regarded prospect will take all the beating.
Dawn Choir, who is in the care of the wily Pat Murphy, showed promise on his first run since coming over from Ireland when finishing second here. He may benefit from better ground judged on his Irish form but has definite place prospects regardless.
Another potential player from a small stable in this contest is the Lawney Hill trained Fiveways. Two bumper wins and a very good second on his return this term mark him down as a horse of ability and he will definitely improve for a distance of ground being a half brother to St Mellion Freeway.
T he rest of the card is made up of what look like developing into competitive handicaps. Notable entries in the staying chase are Teamgeist for Charlie Mann who has the talent to win but is not a natural jumper and the unexposed Robert Alner charge Gatien Du Terte. He is dropped in class and could prove to be leniently treated.
Local trainers have numerous entries in the two remaining events the most notable of which may be Waarid for Gary Moore. Both races look sure to be tight affairs.
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