The dry weather recently means we are going into Sunday’s meeting looking forward to ground on the quick side of good.
The fields have stood up quite well and there are a couple of course regulars declared to run.
Canni Thinkaar has had a successful season for Lewes trainer Jim Best and the yard remains in good form. Joshua Moore will take off a valuable seven pound weight allowance and he looks certain to play a leading part in the handicap hurdle at 4.40. The Flint team have not had a runner at Plumpton in the last five years if at all and so the fact that they have sent up Thehonourablelady might be something of a pointer. She is getting down to a realistic handicap mark and is interesting and looks sure to give Canni Thinkaar a run for his money.
The champion trainer Paul Nicholls has Theres No Magic in the field and has a few entries on the whole card which, each with some improvement could all be competitive. They include Oamaru Stone who has looked a bit of a grinder to date but the hope can only be that he will develop physically and progress.
A course regular for Anna Newton-Smith, The Hardy Boy, will be back in action and the prolific course and distance winner is sure to have his followers again in the 2m4f handicap chase. However, he has risen in the weights since his last win here and the ground looks as though it could possibly be getting on the quick side for him. There is not a great deal of strength in the race, Sumdancer struggles at this trip and all of his other opponents have equally big question marks against them which makes the race unattractive as a betting proposition.
Another course favourite Geography will bid for back to back wins at the track when contesting the staying handicap hurdle and despite the horse’s tricky disposition he is capable of winning this and will be supported to come out on top.
The claiming hurdle has a lop sided look to it with the front running Marodima clearly rated the best horse officially and he will be long odds on to prevail over two miles.
He should be suited by the course and it is difficult to see him realistically being beaten.
Nicky Henderson continues to have regular entries at Plumpton, especially novice hurdlers, and he sends another one for the opening maiden hurdle in the shape of Onemix. Formerly a maiden winner on the flat for Barry Hills this son of Fair Mix has shown some promise in two hurdles to date and looks the likely winner.
The eight race card is finished off with a bumper which has a very difficult look to it.
The Flints’ also have Dirty Deal entered in this contest and he showed promise on his last start at Chepstow and the son of Karinga Bay has potential at this level. That could also be said of the Tim Vaughan trained Quidam Blue who ran well for a long way at Towcester last time and though that course is a very different configuration to Plumpton he is of interest from a stable in excellent form.

