Blue sky and sunshine throughout made the day most enjoyable for the good crowd that assembled to watch a typical Plumpton card. The fine weather meant the ground dried steadily throughout the day and the clerk of the course should be complimented for producing the track in such good condition after a very wet, busy winter. The winning jockeys’ of the first three races all described the going as either dead or good to soft and the horses’ were just making a good print in the ground rather than throwing up lumps of the lush grass that covered the track.

As ever here, it was the young horses in the novice and bumper events that provided the quality on the card and after having disappointed his trainer Alan King in his bumper campaign, Turn Over Sivola produced an encouraging performance to win on his hurdles debut. The five year old gelding led into the straight travelling well and saw off the favourite Battlecat when quickening clear between the last two flights. King said post race “We might try and find another race for him in the short term. He hasn’t been getting home in his bumpers. He’s promising.”

The second home, Battlecat, travelled smoothly up to challenge the winner off the home turn but found disappointingly little and hung in behind going to the last. It made me think he might have an attitude problem but obviously it is a little early in his career to be stating that categorically.

The concluding bumper was a nice race for the time of year and a number of the connections went into the race feeling they had a horse of promise on their hands. Ultimately the Lawney Hill trained Come On Laurie put the race to bed in emphatic style when quickening off the front with a couple of furlongs left to run. The yard have a good record here but have relatively few bumper horses. The £80000 they paid last year for the son of Oscar looks well spent and the trainer said they had never got him off the bridle at home. This performance suggests he could defy a penalty in the next few weeks. Nick Gifford remains very keen on his runner, Old Dreams, after the mare stayed on well for a third place finish. He commented “She’s run well and has been given time to develop by her connections in Ireland who have leased her to me. She will be out again soon and will probably go straight over hurdles if the ground doesn’t get too quick. I’m very pleased.” Gary Moore was a little disappointed afterwards with Cruz On Ted who I got the impression he thought would win. He was quite buzzy pre race and pulled in the race. An attractive horse who can improve. Charles Egerton liked his debutant John Gully and felt conditions would suit. He ran with promise and can improve after looking a little bewildered by his first trip to the track and being very noisy in the prelimanaries. The Alan King trained Hollow Penny ran with great credit as well but was not as taking an individual to the eye. He had a blanket on until he left the paddock so make of that what you will.

Jeremiah McGrath claimed the Betfair Racing Excellence Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series despite being unable to finish in the first three of the final race in the series aboard Teenage Kicks. The race went to Nick Gifford’s Kuilsriver who finally got off the mark after some near misses. The race was run at a crawl for over a circuit and the winner had enough pace to see off his field. The trainer sasid post race “He’s a tough little horse who will have a break now and go novice chasing in the autumn. He will do well around the smaller tracks in that sphere.” The second, El Dancer, was having his first run after a wind operation and was not suited by the slow pace. His trainer Lucy Wadham was delighted to see him finish his race well for the first time in a long time and retains her faith in this formerly high class novice.

Plunkett was the best backed horse of the day with William Hill in the 2m4f handicap chase and saw off his rivals to win with a touch of authority. He did not beat a great deal in truth and it was probably a case of this being his day rather than him being on the verge of a winning streak.

It was great to see the East Grinstead team of Zoe Davison back in the Plumpton winners enclosure after Lindsays Dream won her first hurdle. The trainer said afterwards “She lost her confidence after being given an awful lot to do by the handicapper. We’ve worked hard with her at home to get this reward. There’s not a lot for her at the moment, but I’ll try and find something for her shortly but she won’t want the ground too quick.”   

Trainer Neil King was rewarded for his faith in the weather forecaster when Ballyvoneen won the staying chase. He had been pulled out here due to the soft ground at the Easter meeting but the sun dried out conditions just in time for him to pull off his second win here. The trainer mentioned coming back here for the Sussex National as a long term target for a horse well suited by this sharp, undulating track.

Michael Madgwick has a great record with his hurdlers’ at Plumpton and improved on that record when the tough, honest Peyekashe ground out his second win here in consecutive starts. Off the bridle a long way out he knuckled down to the task at hand and pulled clear up the run in to reward favourite backers’. He appears the type who could run and gallop forever and a switch to a more testing course should suit him.

Weather conditions have been wet and cold in the main here for some time although there have been patches of sunshine and the odd dry spell in the last couple of days. The current going is very soft but there is some prospect of it drying out a little in the next couple of days should the forecast prove accurate.

The opening maiden hurdle over two miles has attracted a couple of entries from stables’ with excellent overall records here at Plumpton but both may be overshadowed by a Welsh raider.

The leading course trainer Gary Moore has Winning Spark entered and that will catch the eye of the large group of punters who staunchly follow the Cisswood trainer here. The five year old has reasonable claims as do both of the entries from the Alan King yard, whose strike rate here is exceptional. Turn Over Sivola looks his best prospect and has shown promise in bumpers. His lack of experience over hurdles will not help as he attempts to defeat Battlecat who undoubtedly has the most impressive form on offer. He cost 200,000 as a yearling and showed promise for Andre Fabre in a limited flat campaign. Sold on for a fraction of his original price he was off the track for nearly a year before returning for a career over obstacles in the autumn of last year. On what has been seen to date, this looks an ideal opportunity for the Evan Williams trained Battlecat to get off the mark.

The Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series Final is the feature event on the card and Brighton conditional Lee Oswin has his first ride since winning here in April aboard Sircozy and renews that acquaintance here. The Gary Moore trained gelding will carry top weight here, has risen 9lb in the ratings and has subsequently been well beaten at Sandown. The manner of his win here was conclusive and he is obviously well suited by this test. He beat Marie Déjà La and the revised weights may make things a little closer between the two this time but if the soft going is once again prevalent he may just confirm the form. Soft ground may not ideally suit the Alan King entry Patsy Finnegan and this contest and set of conditions looks more suitable for El Dancer. Lucy Wadham’s charge has had his problems (he missed the 2010/11 season) but appears very well handicapped at present. There have been odd glimpses of the quality that this horse showed prior to his problems and if coaxed back to something like his best he could prove very competitive in handicaps over the coming weeks, starting right here. He certainly looks of interest if there is some value in the market.

The concluding bumper on the card contains some interesting individuals and with the future in mind is a race well worth staying on for. Cruz On Ted has joined Gary Moore’s yard since making an encouraging debut for Nicky Henderson at Sandown in November. He was green on that occasion and it will be interesting to see how much he has progressed and considering his connections the market should give punters a good guide in terms of his readiness for this challenge. John Gully is related to a number of nice winners’ and another newcomer worth inspection is the Lawney Hill trained gelding Come On Laurie. By Oscar, connections will be hopeful the 30,000 he fetched at the sales was well spent. Personally, I am most looking forward to seeing the mare Old Dreams in this race. The daughter of Old Vic showed promise in a decent mares race at Cheltenham and though a stiffer test than this will be more suitable in time, I am very much hoping she shows enough quality for her trainer Nick Gifford here to give reason to follow her in the months ahead.

The staying hurdle over 3m2f features Peyekashe who ground out a win over course and distance at the last meeting and he will be popular to follow up. The form of that success is not strong and he looks vulnerable to me and I would imagine that Lewes trainer Jim Best will be very disappointed if his Rocky Ryan cannot make a return to form here. This horse has had problems but made a very promising return to action when narrowly beaten by Velator. He was pulled up sharply on his subsequent outing back here but he’s presence in the declarations suggests the problem was not as bad as may have been feared. This is the type of race that Best is so adept at laying one out for. Trainer Evan Williams will be hopeful that Realisation can last home in this weaker race but the soft ground forecast may be against him.

Despite having only five runners’, the equivalent staying event over fences looks quite competitive and it may go to who turns up in the best frame of mind on the day although it is worth noting that connections have withdrawn Ballyvoneen due to concerns about soft ground before.

All round, this looks a typical Plumpton card that should throw up some decent spectacles for us all to enjoy.

Everybody is looking forward to the first evening meeting here at Plumpton for twenty years and the card is a typical mix of good, promising novice hurdlers’ and competitive, tricky handicap puzzles.

The recent weather in the area has been very wet and the going is an unseasonably heavy with soft patches and going stick measurements of 5.1 on the hurdles track and 5.3 on the chase course.

The two highest quality horses’ on the card both appear in the opening novice hurdle. Nagpur has most recently run in two Grade One events at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals and will be a warm order to return to winning ways with this drop in class. He is rated 15lb clear of Kuilsriver and the drop back to this 2m5f trip looks ideal. He has won on very soft ground so conditions are all in his favour if he runs to his full potential. If not, Kuilsriver could pick up the pieces with the other runners looking as though they have a lot to find.

The feature handicap on the card is the 2m5f hurdle at 5.40. Madame Jasmine won impressively here at the last meeting and ground conditions will suit. Gavin Sheehan retains the mount and his claim will come in handy. He has had a good first season riding seven winners’. The horse has won twice from three starts here so obviously is well suited by the course although the drop back in trip did not seem to suit when she suffered her only defeat here. She got outpaced that day and stayed on late in the piece. An 11lb rise in the official ratings means she will need a career best but she is improving. Accordingtolawrence has been out of form in four starts since winning at Market Rasen over Christmas. The ground was soft that day and this dual novice hurdle winner is now on his lowest mark over fences or hurdles. Added to the great record jockey Richard Johnson has for trainer Charlie Longsdon means many will fancy him to bounce back to form. My personal fancy for the race is top weight Ballygarvey. The six year ex Irish winning pointer is ultimately a chaser in the making but has all the conditions in his favour here. He has also competed regularly at a higher level than this and trainer Henrietta Knight has found a decent opportunity here to boost his confidence before a summer break and a novice chasing campaign next season. The only two concerns for me are that the trainer is not in the best of form and her record is poor here at Plumpton. The rest of the field look relatively exposed although Grand National winning jockey Daryl Jacob takes his only ride of the evening aboard Kowloon who also boasts the highest Racing Post Topspeed rating of the field.

The concluding race on the card is a 2m2f handicap hurdle, a race which trainer Zoe Davison won last year and she attempts to repeat that success with her generally consistent mare Just Beware. She enjoys Plumpton and regularly runs close to her mark here, but she was 3lb lower when winning her last race back in November 2010. If she returns to form after a disappointing effort last time it is likely she will still find something in the race to see her off. Beau Fighter has been a short price for his last two starts here but has failed to show anything in either outing. Indeed, he was well behind another of his rivals today, Overdante, last time and on what we have seen this season is not a horse to trust. Overdante himself is very lightly raced for a ten year old and has shown his career best form in his last two outings. He was second on both occasions including one here when he looked likely to win for much of the contest but was run down in the final furlong. He steps out of novice company for the first time and a 5lb rise in the ratings will mean he needs a career best to win. The application of first time cheekpieces may help him and he will be popular on the strength of his last two efforts. Personally, Diamonds Return win at Wincanton on Sunday and the fact he was heavily supported suggests to me that if he handles the much softer ground conditions he will take all the beating. That win came in a conditional jockeys’ event against a generally better class of rival than he will face here. He has not long been with the powerful David Pipe team and he also escapes a penalty for his win. The horse has had a number of entries to choose from this week and the fact that Pipe elects to come here despite the forecast heavy ground conditions suggests the trainer is comfortable with that prospect. He looks sure to start a strong favourite to send punters’ home happy.

The rest of the card promises to throw up some good spectacles and provide plenty of excitement for those in attendance. A couple of trainers’ in excellent recent form to note are David Bridgwater who has a 50% strike rate in April and runs Blue Hills in the 7.25. The other is Charles Egerton who is 2/8 since the start of March and runs Catspan in the same contest. Trainers with runners this evening who have a strike rate in excess of 20% at the course include Venetia Williams (Nagpur 4.35 & Orange Gizmo 6.50), Johnathon Geake (Beware Chalk Pit 6.15) and Caroline Keevil (Arctic Flow 6.15). Lewes trainer Suzy Smith has a 25% record with her hurdlers’ (Madame Jasmine 5.40).

Without doubt, the highlight of the two day Easter Racing Festival was the win of Sircozy on the second day and although the performance of the horse in sprinting clear of his rivals between the final two flights was commendable, it was more what the success represented to the geldings trainer and young jockey that was so noteworthy. Sircozy gave trainer Gary Moore his one hundredth winner at the course since the turn of the century and cemented his position as the leading trainer here. For his ten pound conditional rider Lee Oswin it was the day he dreamed of as he scored his first winner on just his third ride under rules. Shortly after he received a large bottle of champagne from the course executive to mark his achievement, Gary commented on the landmark.

“I know the first winner I rode was Jamies Cottage but I couldn’t tell you the first winner I trained here. Lee has been with me for a while and you’ve got to give kids like him a chance. He is a fit lad, he ran the Hastings marathon a couple of weeks ago but he’s quite tall and has struggled with his weight. I’m very pleased for him.”

Lee is twenty one and from Hollingdean in nearby Brighton. He was clearly thrilled by riding his first winner.

“I’m a bit heavy for a jockey but this has given me a great boost and I’m going to be working even harder now to get down to a lighter weight that I can do regularly.”

There was a crowd that was edging toward 4,000 people for the opening day and the weather steadily improved to provide those race goers with an ultimately warm and sunny day in which to enjoy some enjoyable racing.

The in form Welsh trainer Tim Vaughan provided the favourite for the first race of the meeting in the shape of Solarias Exhibition and the gelding got punters’ off to a great start by virtually making all the running to win decisively. Bookmakers immediately hit back though when the 14/1 rank outsider Blue Hills won in similar style in the very next contest. Watergate received a troubled passage throughout the contest and a three day suspension for careless riding was handed out to the rider of the winner, Tommy Phelan, who hampered him when the race was starting to develop. There was some notable support in the ring for the second home Sawago but he could not live with Blue Hills up the home straight. Featherintheattic provided trainer Nicky Henderson with his 150^th winner of the season as he continues his effort to win this season’s trainers’ championship. His jockey, Andrew Tinkler, said afterwards that was as far as he wants to go (2m5f) and he would also appreciate quicker going than he had here (officially ‘good’). Ballyvoneen won the staying handicap chase for the Across The Pond partnership and they were delighted as their spokesman Nolan Catterwell explained post race.

“We fancied him strongly last time at Warwick but he fell early on. We came here just as hopeful but our enthusiasm was obviously a little tempered by what happened last time. He wants this better ground and if all’s well with him and the ground is similar he has a good chance of coming back here tomorrow.”

Unfortunately, their hopes of a quick fire double were dashed as wind and rain lashed the course from very early on Monday morning and Ballyvoneen had to be withdrawn as the ground became progressively softer during the course of the second day. Unsurprisingly, the attendance was down markedly as the wintry conditions impacted the hopes of the course executive for another typically large Easter crowd. I have already mentioned the landmark successes of Gary Moore and Lee Oswin which helped to boost the spirits of the wet and cold crowd and they also saw what will probably prove to be the best horse on show over the two days. Paul Nicholls sent up Current Event to continue his chasing education and whilst he admittedly had little to beat, he jumped proficiently throughout before being pushed clear to win the novice handicap chase in very good style. Another impressive winner on the day was Greyfriars Drummer who stepped up on his encouraging Stratford hurdles debut to win the opening novice hurdle in clear cut fashion. His Lambourn trainer, Charlie Mann, was pleased to keep up his good record here and commented afterwards on his colt’s win.

“He ran well at Royal Ascot for Mark Johnston on the flat so you’d expect him to have ability if he took to the hurdles’. He would want it a bit quicker than this and that was a slight concern. His rider confirmed that when he got back. We’ll keep him going through May and I would think he will get another half a mile with no problem. He’s quite big so should jump a fence in time.”

It should be noted that in this race, Gary Moore’s Bert the Alert pulled hard for a lot of the way and unsurprisingly had very little to give at the business end and was allowed to come home in his own time. As a half brother to the stable’s Megastar you would hope he had inherited some of the family’s quality and he should not be given up on at this early stage of his career. Probably the most exciting finish of the day came in the 2m2f novices’ handicap hurdle when Red Rock bravely got on top of the long time leader Overdante in the final fifty yards to win by half a length. His victory under top weight gave jockey Noel Fehily the middle leg of a treble on the day and provided trainer Emma Lavelle with her second winner from just two runners’ across the two days.

Overall, there was a lot of good sport on offer at this year’s Plumpton Easter Racing Festival and next year everyone will be keeping their fingers crossed that we get a return to the warm, sunny weather conditions that are generally the norm at this enjoyable family orientated meeting.

During the course of the day the ground dried out and after just one race the description was changed to good with good to soft places from good to soft.

Despite the concerns of her trainer Warren Greatrex, Flite was able to cope with the step back in trip in the mares’ handicap hurdle and scored a decisive win. She drew right away from her rivals in the home straight and proved herself some way above this class. The trainer won the Listed mares’ hurdle over three miles at the Ayr Scottish National meeting last season and that race is now the target for this daughter of Flemensfirth. There is obviously a long way to go from beating a consistent 89 rated handicapper here to being competitive in a Listed contest but the mare has a likeable attitude and is certainly bred to appreciate three miles.

The Venetia Williams trained Relax completed a quick fire double when taking the novice handicap steeple chase with the minimum of fuss. He was strongly supported to do so and though the form of this contest is only fair at best, he looked like a horse with some physical development left in him and is quites tall and scopey. He should cope with a step in class and his future will lie with the handicapper. Jeremy Roberts, travelling head lad to the trainer said “Relax has taken time to come to hand but is finding himself now. He will probably stick to this trip for the time being and I’m sure Venetia will find the right race for him.”

In the opening novice hurdle, Alan King further enhanced his wonderful strike rate here when Diamond Sweeper wore down the battling Ballylifen to claim his first hurdling success. He settled much better than has previously been the case. Jockey Wayne Hutchinson remarked “He’s been a green horse and too keen in his first three runs but was much better today and is improving and a nice horse.” Ballylifen now has four second place finishes on his cv but there does not appear to be any kink in him and both the first two can find races in the future. Trozulon was disappointing once again and judged on the support he has received he is not fulfilling the potential he has been showing at home.

It was very good to see Zoe Davison have a winner here when the old stager Nozic won the 2m1f handicap chase. He has been in serious decline and had shown little in recent times, but his trainer stated that she felt he was much better suited by the conditions here today and believes that was the reason for his return to form.

In the 3m1f handicap hurdle it was disappointing to see the young mare of Anna Newton-Smith’s Knight Flight pull up before three out and I hope the problem was not serious. Another old stager in the shape of Gentleman Jimmy went on to win the contest after having been prominent throughout and staying on dourly to out battle the Lucy Wadham trained Well Mett. The latter had looked to have things in hand but did not see the race out as well as the winner. The favourite here was Hobbs Dream who was detached in last throughout and showed nothing.

The 3m2f handicap chase was won by another Flemensfirth, Brunettesonly, who always looked to have things in hand from the third last fence onwards and though the winning distance being only two and a quarter lengths I think he had something in hand. He jumps well and though this win will mean a step up in class it does not look beyond him at one of the smaller tracks.

The five horses’ who contested the final 2m handicap hurdle had not won a race between them and the race rather fell apart. That will not have concerned the connections of My Sister as they welcomed her back to the winning enclosure after putting her rivals to the sword. As I say, it was not a great race but this was My Sister’s first run in a handicap and she is still relatively unexposed.

The next fixture is the first day of the two day Easter Festival on April 8^th.

The going description for tomorrow’s meeting is good to soft with soft ground in places. The going stick readings are currently 6.7 for the hurdles track and 6.9 for the chase. There will be some fresh ground on the bends as the rail has been moved in by around four yards.

The seven race card gets underway at 2.30 with a 2m5f novice hurdle and three stand out from the fourteen declarations. Alan King has a superb record here and his six year old gelding Diamond Sweeper is likely to feature prominently in the markets. The horse has proved very keen in all of his starts to date but gradually seems to be improving on that front and the form of his last run here behind Aikideau was well advertised by that one’s performance in a valuable contest at Sandown yesterday. If he proves more tractable here he will prove very competitive. The most interesting horse in the race however, is the Nicky Henderson runner Trozulon. The winner of a French AQPS contest, he was well supported for his UK debut in a hot Listed event at Cheltenham and stayed on late in the day and showed promise in so doing. That run came in January last year and he was not seen again until again being well supported for an ordinary AW bumper during February. The run itself appeared to be badly needed as it transpired, but the confidence in the markets and the level of his entry in the Cheltenham race strongly suggests connections believe there is an engine under the bonnet. Also of note is the Henrietta Knight trained Ballylifen. The five year old son of Brian Boru will appreciate the extra distance here and though he might find the front two on paper having a bit too much for him, he does look to have a solid place opportunity.

The 2m4f novice handicap chase that follows includes Fridays Leicester winner Relax who will bid to defy a penalty under top weight. Venetia William’s unexposed chaser was a maiden in five starts in France and showed a modicum of promise on his UK debut at Towcester before his impressive win on Friday. He beat a very disappointing horse that day in what can only be described as a poor event and it is difficult to be confident about exactly what level of ability Relax actually has. There is no doubt he will be very popular to record a quick fire double but Leicester and Plumpton are two very different tests. Options to take him on with are limited but Humbel Ben has credentials especially if the ground were to continue to dry out. He is a winner off of a 9lb higher mark over hurdles and his return to competition in January came in a much hotter contest than this. Trainer Alan Jones is an infrequent visitor to Plumpton but would not waste invaluable diesel on a forlorn trek up from Newport. He definitely appears best suited by going left handed and good ground would make him a definite possibility here.

The mares’ handicap hurdle over 2m2f looks quite competitive despite the small field. Flite would appear to have the most potential of the five and ran with much greater credit on her last start over hurdles when second. A little stemming suggests that she has plenty in hand of Milly Malone here but the real concern for Flite must be this drop back in trip. As a daughter of Flemensfirth out of a Buckskin mare I would have expected here to gradually end up at three miles and am surprised at the drop in distance. However, it may be that trainer Warren Greatrex feels she has too much class for this grade of rivals anyway but for punters that appears debateable. There is a viable scenario in that a steady pace may allow something to beat Flite for a bit of speed and the moderate Flat performer So Is She could do just that. The juvenile filly has showed some aptitude for hurdling and includes a win in her three starts. She likes to be held up and could out sprint Flite on the run for home. Just Beware is extremely consistent and is handicapped to run her usual race and is another who could exploit this possible scenario.

The staying handicap hurdle at 4.30 is notable for the return of the dual course winner Hazy Bay to the track. He has not run since winning here in December but the absence should not deter punters as he had been off for the best part of ten months prior to that success. He is lightly raced and may have further improvement in him. He has gone up 17lb for his last two wins and may have the ability to overcome that but the real concern for this race is the going. His trainer was categorical when he said after his last win that the horse needs soft ground. That may prove to be his stumbling block here and Knight Flight from the local yard of Anna Newton-Smith has an opportunity to take advantage. This will be her first handicap after three novice events, where she has showed promise in each start. The trainer feels she has races in her. Her mark looks fair and the forecast ground looks to be ideal for her. Of the others, Hobbs Dream has been in great form for Neil Mulholland recently but the handicapper might just be getting to grips with him and Lucy Wadham’s Well Mett is unexposed but has shown very little to date.

The rest of the card is made up of similarly interesting handicaps and all looks set fair for another entertaining card here at Plumpton.

Racing took place on ground that was accurately described as good to soft by the clerk of the course and the seven races threw up some exciting finishes.

That was particularly true of the staying handicap hurdle over 3m1f. However, when Velator kicked for home leaving the back straight it looked as though he was going to beat his thirteen rivals with the minimum of fuss. A bad mistake at the second last flight brought a gasp from the crowd and Rocky Ryan and AP McCoy, who had been unable to make an impression until that point, were given an unexpected opportunity. The pair joined Velator and Rachel Green at the last but despite the champions’ usual power packed effort they could not get past and in the final fifty yards the favourite was back on top and narrowly prevailed. Post race Velator’s trainer Anthony Honeyball was positive about his charges future. “He is a galloper and could do with quicker ground. I think I will give him a short break now, three to five weeks. He should make an even nicer chaser next season and has schooled well at home. Jim Best was pleased with the performance of Rocky Ryan after his long break and that was also true of Gary Moore, whose Zouti stayed on nicely back in third.

The opening maiden hurdle over 2 miles produced an impressive performance by the Venetia Williams newcomer Duaiseoir. The former Irish flat racer took well to his new vocation and was always travelling well before being driven out to put his seal on the race. The disappointment of the race was Primaries. The former Andre Fabre inmate was clearly the paddock pick and was made favourite to make a winning hurdle debut. He was beaten from the third last and will have to sharpen up his technique if he is to progress. Winning Spark ultimately finished second for Gary Moore running on well late on and keeping the winner honest. He can find a handicap, possibly over a bit further and that theory is probably true of the third Kings Bayonet who was another to run an honest race.

The betting market strongly suggested that the mares’ novice chase was just a formality for Charlie Mann’s Hows Business and the 1/9 favourite completed his hat trick with the minimum of fuss. It was a nice professional performance from the eight year old and although the form is worth very little, it will have further enhanced the mare’s technique and confidence. She did jump very well.

There was another mare’s only race to conclude the card, this time a 2m5f hurdles event. Jonjo O’Neill has had a very good season consistently turning out winners’ and prior to the race his Schism looked just the type for her first venture into handicaps. The juvenile filly was given another quality ride by AP McCoy who despite pulling double jumping the third last, held on to his partner until turning into the straight before letting her put the race to bed between the last two flights. It was a comprehensive victory and Schism can step up in class. It was more the manner of the performance rather than what she beat that took the eye.

Amaury De Luisagnan was made a 15/8 favourite to keep the improved recent form of the Gary Moore yard going and got the job done in good style seeing off Hellfire Club by 16 lengths. These two were really the only ones’ who counted from some way out. The jumping of the second can hopefully improve whilst the winner is progressing nicely but will now have to step up in class. He seems well suited by the minimum trip and the style in which he travelled suggests the better ground in the spring will be a benefit.

The gamble of the day was the David Pipe trained On Khee who was backed from 3/1 into about 11/10 with all firms in the morning and despite opening 6/4 on course was again solidly backed into a starting price of 11/10. Tom Scudamore seemed to have matters in hand jumping the second last but the horse had been very keen for much of the contest and that came back to haunt him late in the day and he was going up and down on the spot after jumping the last. Whilst he was clearly the best horse in the race, punters’ did not get paid as the 16/1 outsider James Pollard dourly stayed on to pick up the favourite on the run in. The form is not great and was weakened by the appalling performance of Songsmith. He had been extremely impressive when winning here at the last meeting but produced an appalling round of jumping and was ultimately pulled up after the third last.

The amateur riders’ event was a race that rather fell apart and for much of the race it looked as though there was going to be a Brightling one two for trainers’ Di Grissell and Sarah Wall. They were locked in combat when the Wall trained Ballinhassig fell at the last and unfortunately for Grissell her Sole Agent ran out of gas close home on only her second outing after a lengthy break. As a result the favourite Flying Award was left to pick up the pieces near the line after not even looking likely to get involved for much of the contest. I think the run of Sarika should be completely ignored as he never went an inch for his rider. Considering the willing, enthusiastic nature he has previously shown on a number of occasions, this lethargic performance came as a big surprise to many. He might have had a problem.

The clerk of the course Mark Cornford has described the forecast going as good to soft with good places. He added that the track has been steadily drying out and was even grateful for the 7mm of rain in the course received during the week. His going stick report at the time of writing (Sunday morning) was 7.1 on the hurdles track and 7.4 on the chase. Mark will continue to use the winter racing line and his weather forecast suggests an overcast but dry day for the meeting.

There are 69 entries for the seven race card and the two mile handicap hurdle is typical of the type of competitive handicap racing that race goers can expect to see on Monday. Amongst the entries for this race is the Lucy Wadham trained Songsmith who was impressive here on his last start. That was his first outing in a handicap and the thirteen pound hike in the ratings he was given was punitive, but the manner of the four year olds win made it likely. Wheres Johnny was well beaten by Songsmith on that day but has a fourteen pound turn around with his conqueror and that will encourage his connections. Any David Pipe entry here deserves the greatest respect and he has the unexposed On Khee declared. He looks a dark one and the betting market will probably be informative whilst Sheena West has her course winner Mr Muddle in here and will be hoping for a good return after a long break. Sacrilege has been running at a higher level in his most recent outings but does have wayward tendencies. Songsmith looks progressive and will be popular to continue that improvement here.

The concluding race is a 2m5f handicap hurdle restricted to mares only and the fourteen strong field has a number of protagonists with realistic claims for success. The least exposed entry is the Jonjo O’Neill trained Schism. The four year old won on her hurdling debut but after then unseating on soft ground followed that up with a moody performance on similarly soft ground. The better ground she will find here will help and if the blinkers do the trick the handicap rating she has been allotted looks workable. Arctic Actress will represent Nicky Henderson and she may also benefit from better ground but her hurdling has been sloppy in the past. However this looks a realistic entry for her and she should be on the premises. Matrows Lady may be the best of two entries from trainer Neil Mulholland and if she improves for the quicker going conditions she would be another who would hold a decent chance.

The least competitive event on the card is the other mares’ only event, the 2m4f novice chase. It does feature the officially highest rated horse on the day in Hows Business and it would be a major shock if Charlie Mann’s chaser should be beaten by any of his three rivals.

The Gay Kindersley Memorial will be run over three and a quarter miles and the amateur riders’ to whom the race is restricted will get a good chance to show off their skills. Nick Williams has very few runners here so considering the good form he has been in for some time now I was immediately drawn to his entry Sarika. A very likeable individual with a good attitude and economical jumping style, he now drops back in class after finding the field at Wincanton on his last start a little too hot for him. Prior to that, a couple of wins at Exeter showed him in a good light. He has only run right handed in the UK so that is a little concern but otherwise everything points to him being competitive here. Top weight Deep Pockets is something of a course specialist with three wins here and he will certainly keep Sarika honest although he now looks to have few secrets from the handicapper. Ballinhassig won for local trainer Sarah Wall at the last meeting and he should also give a good account of himself off of a feather weight. Sole Agent had a tough time on his return from a near year long absence in January and we might not see the best of him at this stage.

The opening maiden hurdle features a horse from the yard of John Ferguson, who has done very well so far this season with his young horses’. He acquired Primaries from Andre Fabre where he was a maiden on the flat. His form is difficult to evaluate and the betting market will be a guide but do not expect the bookmakers to take any chances with him. Alan King is phenomenal here at Plumpton and his Kings Bayonet has been off the pace in his last two outings but those races were won by very well thought of horses’. I would not be at all surprised to see a really good showing from Kings Bayonet. If Primaries does not adapt to his new vocation, the King horse will be tough to beat. Western Approaches has not been great over hurdles this season after a promising bumper career although it is much too early to write him off.

The meeting was unfortunately abandoned due to the track being frozen.

National Hunt racing has been decimated by the cold snap over the past week or so and Plumpton has not escaped the sub zero temperatures either. After speaking with the clerk of the course Mark Cornford on Friday afternoon he left me with the impression that if the course could escape a frost on both Saturday and Sunday nights’, racing would have a good chance of going ahead on Monday. The forecasts he has are mixed but the majority suggest that it is not unrealistic temperatures can stay high enough to get the frost currently in the ground out. The chase course is currently worse affected but Mark and the team have rid the track of nearly all the snow that fell during the week and they have been harrowing the course to break up the frost as best as possible. If racing is possible it will take place on soft ground.

The final qualifier of the Cheltenham Bonus Series is over the extended trip of 3m2f and has an excellent entry of young chasers’. Cannington Brook won the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock for trainer Colin Tizzard and produced another excellent effort in the Welsh National shortly afterwards. He will be the one to beat should he show up. Paul Nicholls has an interesting prospect in Picture This who is undoubtedly idle but with a good pace could have a lot more in him than his chase form to date suggests. Vino Griego is a frustrating individual who has yet to win in eleven chase starts since October 2010. Some of his form is strong for a race of this nature and trainer Gary Moore will be hoping the step up to this trip elicits further improvement but even on his bare form if he were to stay he would appear to be a leading player here.

There are five novice events on this seven race card and the opening mares’ novice hurdle looks an interesting race at the five day stage. The most intriguing entry is Swing Bowler from the Pond House yard of David Pipe and the Galileo mare is unbeaten in two bumpers. She is also a daughter of the wonderful Lady Cricket who was such an admirable racehorse. If there is one horse I am hoping to see on Monday it is her. Lucy Wadham has Baby Shine entered and the trainer has a superb course record. Her six year old has placed form in a listed bumper and got her hurdling career off to an impressive start at Leicester. She would have to contend with a penalty here but her experience is a plus.

Another Lucy Wadham inmate who I feel is near to getting a win on the board is El Dancer and he has an entry in the very well subscribed 2m5f handicap hurdle. However, I would be very concerned about the forecast soft ground for him on this occasion and Lucy may care to wait. Kuilsriver ran very well in last years’ Triumph Hurdle, a race which to this point looks as though it was a strong renewal. The Nick Gifford youngster would appear to be on a realistic mark and can run well. There are many worthy of further investigation and it looks as though it will be very competitive.

Specialagentalfie is a late developing type who is getting physically stronger with time and he has caught the eye in the paddock and on the course here in recent meetings. He is scheduled to run in the 2m novice handicap hurdle and looks to have been handed a workable rating. Songsmith is also entered and was extremely impressive here at the last meeting. After having been a little of a disappointment to her connections prior, maybe she is now starting to fulfil her potential.

Fingers crossed the weather is kind over the weekend.