After 6mm of overnight rain the clerk of the course Mark Cornford changed the going description to good with good to soft places on the hurdles track and good with good to firm places on the chase course. The going stick reports were 7.5 on the hurdles and 8.2 on the chase. A bright, sunny day gave way to plenty of cloud cover before steady rain arrived after the four o’clock contest. A light breeze blowing across the course prevailed throughout the day.

The opening maiden hurdle over two miles caught punters’ out when the 25/1 chance Four Nations provided trainer George Baker with a first winner at the track. He was brought into the race rounding the home turn and was vying for the lead at the final flight before quickly putting the race to bed with a good turn of foot to see off the joint favourite Somchine and the long time leader and 100/1 shot Rachels Ruby by six lengths and one and three quarter lengths. The trainer’s representative commented post race on the horse’s performance. “ He’s a bit quirky and had a nice confidence booster at Chepstow last time. He was suited by the drop of rain we had overnight and hopefully he can go on from this”. This was not a strong event and although Western Prize ended up a well beaten fourth, he could be the one to take from the race as he was the clear paddock choice and may be a little bit weak at present.

The staying handicap hurdle was proliferated by some moderate or disappointing types and when Rocky Ryan crashed out at the first hurdle it continued the Lewes trainer’s Jim Best unfortunate run of form. Marico from the Tom Symonds yard went on to take the prize after being produced with his run entering the home straight and asserting before the final flight. A bad error at that obstacle did not interfere with his momentum and he soon went clear to record a decisive first victory under a good ride from Felix De Giles. Mumbles Pier, the favourite, cruised into the lead on the crown of the home bend but when pressed by the eventual winner found disappointing little. The form of this race looks decidedly moderate.

The staying handicap chase that followed at three o’clock was run at a good pace with the lead changing hands consistently throughout the first two circuits. Sea Cadet was kicked into a clear lead as they went down the back straight for the final time and maintained that lead running into the wings of the final fence. He was being chased by the eventual winner Franklin Roosevelt who had hampered his chance with some sloppy jumping whilst tracking the leader at the fourth and third last. However he picked up steadily from the second last and ran on under a strong drive to claim Sea Cadet with under fifty yards to run in company with the similarly strong finisher and top weight Leg Iron, who had been well backed through the morning. Franklin Roosevelt has a pedigree which suggested this decent ground would suit him and in winning maintained David Pipe’s excellent record here at Plumpton. Only seven, staying is obviously his forte and as he matures he should progress further and it is likely he can pick up another staying event or two during the course of the summer. Old Dreams was disappointing under a waiting ride in rear and was being ridden throughout the final circuit and was never able to get involved or even improve her position. Lajidaal ran better for the application of a visor but still gave only the faintest of hope of being able to win in the near future.

There was a very popular local winner in Hawk Gold in the two mile handicap hurdle for the local Lewes yard of Michelle Bryant. He was given a fabulous ride by young Conor Shoemark and provided Michelle with a welcome winner. Michelle, who also rides on the flat, expounded the virtues of the young jockey afterwards. “I told Conor to leave him (Hawk Gold) alone and let him creep into the race. The horse is a great jumper and loves this good ground. Conor has ridden an excellent race and I think he’ll do really well as a conditional.  I was worried with the rain overnight but the horse has done us proud. I’ve only a couple in training so this was great”. Hawk Gold was produced on the run in and just did enough in another tight finish with the heavily backed Ullswater who had gone into the lead at the top of the home straight after seeing off Drawn Free who had been up with the pace for the whole of the final circuit. This form is only moderate, but that will not bother Michelle Bryant and everyone at her Lewes base who reflect the great enthusiasm of the Sussex racing fraternity.

The feature event on the card was the final of the Racing Excellence Conditional Jockey’s Training Series and the win for Jack Sherwood aboard top weight DrumValley meant he lifted the trophy for the leading rider in the series. DrumValley is only small but showed a determined attitude on the run in after being briefly headed by the mare Va’Vite on the run in and also being run down by the fast finishing Sir Fredlot. Afterwards the owner’s stud manager David Fitch-Payton spoke of DrumValley’s likeable attitude. “He’s a very strong, tough little horse and that’s a nice way to finish his season. This was his ideal trip and the little bit of rain helped his chance”. This was a competitive affair on paper and so it proved to be with just a head and a length separating the first three home. DrumValley did well to defy the weight here and I think in time he will get further but his size tempers enthusiasm for a career over fences.

Brody Bleu was solidly backed during the morning but drifted on course in the face of support for Adrenalin Flight. The morning money was proved spot in with Brody Bleu showing a really nice attitude and an aptitude for jumping that was too much for his rivals. There will be a reaction from the handicapper for this five length success but he is the sort of horse who will pay his way down the years when the right opportunities come his way. The performance of the second home Chestnut Ben appears to hold the form down a little.

The final bumper saw a plunge on the locally trained Jim Best runner Bugsys Girl who was supported from 12/1 into 6/1 and despite veering off of a true line on the run to the final furlong or so, Tom Scudamore soon got her straightened up and she ran right the way to the line to win by four and a half lengths. Jim spoke post race of his pleasure at the debutants performance. “She’s still quite weak. What she’s done at home has been good but she hasn’t done that much and she was probably only 60% ready for today. As you could see she’s still green and Tom (Scudamore) said she gave him a great feel. She showed plenty of speed here and could be a nice mare”. This was a nice winner for the Best yard who have not had the sort of prolific season one would normally associate with the trainer. This was not a great bumper but nevertheless bearing in mind the trainer’s comments she should be progressive. Steel Summit was one of the paddock choices prior to the contest and travelled really well to the crown of the home bend before failing to pick up when his rivals quickened. He is very stoutly bred and may be one for the future when set a stiffer stamina test next season in novice hurdles at a small track.

Some good, exciting spectacles for the good crowd to enjoy on Plumpton’s last meeting until September.

An excellent total of 75 entries for the seven race card here on Ladies Day has pleased everyone at Plumpton. The ground is forecast to be good to firm and that should be maintained as there is the possibility of a rain shower or two prior to the meeting taking place. The forecast for the afternoon is for some sunshine.

The feature race on the card is the Final of the Tahlia and Frankies Racing Excellence Training Series for Conditional Jockeys at 4.00pm.

There is over £15000 in added prize money for this 2m5f handicap hurdle and the ten declared will make this a decidedly competitive event for a Class 3 contest.

E Street Boy and GoresIsland were first and second in a race here at the last meeting where the pair fought out a great duel up the home straight with E Street Boy coming out on top. It did not look like ending that way when GoresIsland was ridden into a two length lead approaching the second last hurdle but the likeable E Street Boy kept on resolutely to claim his rival on the run in to record his sixth win from twelve starts over hurdles. He has gone up six pounds in the official ratings for that win and will be three pounds worse off with GoresIsland here and with the slightly quicker ground forecast it looks like being very close between the two once again. Gores Island has repeatedly failed to handle this class level in the past and I feel that whilst the two will once again be competitive they might both find one or two of their rivals here have a bit more than either can cope with. Be All Man represents Gary Moore and the six year old enjoyed a good season last term and was never out of the frame in six starts and that included one win. His win came at Sandown over a similar trip to the one he will face here. In two runs since his win he has failed to cope with the 8lb rise in the ratings he incurred for the Sandown success although he has run with credit on each occasion. He likes to be up with the pace and it is a case here of if he can fend off his rivals when the race begins in earnest. The top weight is the promising DrumValley who ran in a very competitive race at Cheltenham last time and ran with great promise on that handicap bow. This represents a drop in grade and this trip looks ideal. His trainer Oliver Sherwood is in excellent form and the five pound claim of his nephew Jack, who is based with Nicky Henderson, looks handy. Va Vite is another relatively unexposed type who ran well in the valuable mares’ only handicap hurdle that was transferred to Kempton from Newbury back in April. This hold up performer has winning form at this trip and does not look harshly treated on what she has achieved to date. Her pedigree suggests that she will stay further in time so the likely strong pace will be in her favour.

There is strength in depth to this contest and a former winner of this race, Teenage Kicks, will enjoy the quicker ground though she may be in the handicapper’s grip at present. Signed Request is interesting and he has won his last two in admittedly lower grade but has blossomed on decent ground. Both wins were decisive and there could be more to come whilst Ironically is also a dual winner over hurdles and was beaten by a well handicapped individual on his last start. Another juvenile, Sir Fredlot, won here last season and ran well last time when narrowly beaten.

This is a highly competitive event for the grade. My choice is the top weight DrumValley who can take advantage of this drop in grade in a race which the trainer has had in mind for him for some time. The stable are flying and the 5lb claim of his rider is a plus. There may be some value for each way punters’ in him and also in Signed Request who is a horse that is difficult to quantify at present.

This is a cracking, competitive end to the season at Plumpton and whilst winners’ will not be easy to find on the card, the seven races should all supply race goers’ with some exciting spectacles to enjoy.

Remember to catch the Plumpton Podcast by clicking on the link on the home page or by going direct to mixcloud.com/ThePlumptonPodcast. There are interviews with trainer Gary Moore on his four runners’ on the day as well as comment from Oliver Sherwood. On the day itself stay in touch with all the news by using the Twitter service @plumptonraceday which gives you all the latest betting news, paddock reports, news from the trainers’ and jockeys’ and advice from industry insiders’.

There was no overnight rain but the course did receive 6mm of rain between 7am and 10.45 and the clerk of the course chose to change his going report to good, good to soft in places on the hurdles track and left it as good on the chase course. The going stick report was slightly unusual as it read 7.7 on the hurdles and 7.3 on the chase track suggesting the hurdles track was riding faster. This discrepancy was explained by the clerk as being due to the odd very low reading on the station bend. The weather was predominately dry throughout although there was the odd short sharp shower.

In the opening 2m5f novice hurdle Kayserberg set a steady pace before quickening turning out onto the back straight for the final time. He jumped neatly in front but had been tracked throughout the contest by the heavily backed favourite Midnight Appeal. The pair drew clear of their field on the home turn and Midnight Appeal ranged upsides at the second last before taking it up at the final flight and readily going clear on the run in. Kayserberg stuck to his task well and came home a clear second. Connections were confident that Midnight Appeal would run a big race and the comments post race were the Alan King trained gelding had achieved what they expected. The King record here at Plumpton is quite exceptional.

The 2m4f conditional jockeys’ Handicap Chase looked a distinctly modest affair at best and jumping errors came back to haunt the well backed favourite Smooth Classic who was ultimately beaten three quarters of a length into second by the Gavin Sheehan ridden Jamesson. The rider has been regularly displaying his worth when claiming against senior riders’ and in here against his contemporaries it was probably the quality of his ride that won him the day. Having said that, Jamesson did travel well into contention and stuck on resolutely from the home bend onwards. Smooth Classic’s connections will be disappointed by his two serious mistakes at the same fence on both circuits, the middle fence in the back straight. It may be a case here of switch the jockeys’ switch the result. 

The feature event on the card was the Class 4 2m5f handicap hurdle and E Street Boy justified his position in the market as favourite. However, it did not appear turning for home as though that would be the case when Gores Island, who had travelled strongly in rear before moving into a close second down the back straight for the final time, went into a clear lead of some two or three lengths. E Street Boy kept on responding for pressure and his application was rewarded on the run in as he ground down the second and went onto win by three and three quarter lengths. He has now won six times over hurdles and this trip may now be an absolute minimum. GoresIsland should find a race shortly and although in this instance his rider had no choice but to go for home so strongly was he travelling, ideally he may want holding onto for a little longer in his races. Peterbrown was strongly supported in the market during the day but looked a little on edge in the paddock and was quite keen in the contest itself. He could improve with racing and find a similar handicap at one of the smaller tracks.  

Ballyvoneen took the 3m2f handicap chase and this is undoubtedly his time of year as his trainer Neil King explained post race. “He always comes to himself at this time of the year and has flourished at home recently. This is his track but he’s in at Towcester and Sedgefield next week and it’s likely he’ll turn out under a penalty because he’s so well”. Ballyvoneen travelled well throughout and despite making errors at the third and second last came home in good style to win well. He is what he is and is likely to be kept on the go throughout the summer and will be competitive at this lowly grade when conditions are in his favour.

Princely Hero made or disputed the running throughout the staying handicap hurdle at 6.50 and despite losing the lead on the turn for home, he stayed onto good effect to draw clear of his field up the home straight and win by an ultimately comfortable nine lengths. Always hard work in his races, he does stay very well and his resolution cannot be doubted. The well backed Bollin Tahini could not justify the faith and was always on the back foot turning out onto the final circuit. He did receive a significant bump from a rival at the third last just as he was getting within striking distance of the leaders but it is debateable whether it made much difference to his finishing position. Lord Aldervale looked very well in the paddock and his first time combination of tongue tie and cheekpieces seemed to glean some improvement from him but he faded off the home bend as the race got going in earnest. He may be worth noting in a similar contest over a shorter trip but in all honesty this was a race where Princely Hero was first and the rest were exposed by him as being either in the handicapper’s grip or decidedly moderate.

The 2m1f handicap chase saw Callhimwhatyouwant strongly backed on the track and he was allowed a deal of rope by his rivals and was clear from some way out. He galloped on powerfully to win unchallenged and his flying leap at the last strongly suggested he had plenty left in the tank. He tended to jump markedly left for much of the contest and he could be the type who is just finding himself. It would be no surprise to see him out again shortly. The rest of the field were led home by Chestnut Ben and Sawpit Supreme, two individuals who are not the strongest of characters in a battle.

In the finale the heavily backed Kijivu strode into the lead leaving the back straight and was still hard on the steel. However, he quickly emptied out and weakened right out of contention in a matter of strides. Golden Games came through with Hawk Gold and the two went clear. Golden Games stayed on best to take the spoils and Ardmaddy stayed on to nab Hawk Gold for second. A strongly run affair, the form should hold up but looks no better than modest.

A very enjoyable day where a number of well backed horses justified the faith in them. Equally a few went astray on a busy day in the markets.

The second day of the Easter Festival saw the ground changed to good with good to soft places and the going stick report was 7.1 on the hurdles track and 7.2 on the chase course. There was a wind blowing behind the runners up the home straight. A very chilly but it remained dry throughout the day.

In the paddock prior to the first race Sash of Honour was the clear paddock pick looking very fit and his coat was gleaming. Jockey Richard Johnson set out to make all the running but from the first hurdle onwards it was apparent his mount was not that enthusiastic at his hurdles. He continued to jump with hesitancy throughout the contest and when pressed on either side entering the home straight, he responded but another slow jump at the penultimate flight saw him headed and although he stayed on into third he was never going to get back on terms with the eventual winner Dollar Bill. Jockey Tom Cannon brought Nick Gifford’s juvenile with an audacious run up the inside going to the second last and he jumped into a share of the lead. He stayed on best to win by two lengths and his trainer spoke of the performance afterwards.

“Dollar Bill has been dying for this better ground and he enjoyed the strong pace. He could win again on this ground”. Dropzone ran well to take second place but the story was really all about Sash Of Honour’s reluctance at his hurdles and he will find it difficult to win whilst retainng that unfortunate trait.

The morning money for GoresIsland went down the pan when he crashed out at the first fence in the second race, the 2m4f handicap chase. Rajamand led the field along until the home bend but there were plenty in behind looking to get involved and as they passed the omitted second last Rajamand began to feel the pinch and Five Rivers and Venetian Lad took over and were together at the last where the latter jumped on. However, Five Rivers rallied on the run in and got back up on the line to win by a nose. Noel Fehily told the trainer afterwards that he never gave him a great feel early in the race but gradually warmed up and he showed his desire where it counted. Greatrex said “He’s a tricky ride as he sulks if he’s not ridden prominently but can’t be in front too long”.

In the two mile five furlong hurdle at 3.35 the locally trained Madame Jasmine, who has won three times from six starts here, attempted to make all the running at a strong pace. The worry before the race was that this trip would be on the sharp side for her and on this decent ground she was eventually picked off entering the home straight. She ran well and can win again when upped in trip. The race went to Minella Special who was given a waiting ride in mid division. He travelled very well on the inside and was produced into the race running down to the second last. He did not win as impressively as at one point he appeared he might and in the end won by just a neck from the game Ya Hafed. Credit For Life looked alert and well in the paddock beforehand and travelled well but appeared to get outpaced on the home bend. A young relatively inexperienced individual, he should be better over fences.This looks a run of the mill contest for the grade.

In the feature event of the day, the 2m1f handicap chase, a very strong pace was set by Mister Matt and Coolbeg who disputed the running for a long way. Mister Matt saw off Coolbeg down the back straight for the final time and skated clear of his field on the home bend and was never challenged thereafter. He has won off of a break before and his form did not entitle him to go off at the generous 20/1 he returned. Of the others, Takeroc never looked that happy and was ridden with a circuit to run and although he threatened to get back into the race briefly at the third last he could only plug on at the one pace to take third. The fancied Laterly fell at the second fence and Lucys Legend dropped out tamely after the fifth last. Cadoudalas ran a shocker and was pulled up just after the end of the first circuit. What looked a field of mostly exposed individuals before the race did not produce the expected tight finish and Mister Matt may win again if turned out under a penalty in this grade under similar conditions. The rest of the finishers look to be in the grip of the handicapper.  

The novice handicap hurdle over 2m2f at 4.35 was won in good style by Supercilliary for Chris Gordon. He had made little impact in his hurdles to this point , but picked off Capellini, who had been in the first two for near enough the whole race, turning for home and was soon clear and jumped with alacrity at the final two flights to win well. The owner commented afterwards that he had not availed himself of the 33/1 starting price and seemed as shocked as anyone at the outcome. Capellini plugged on for second place and the third home was the favourite Goochypoochyprader who could never land a blow. The form is definitely moderate.

The penultimate race on the card was the 3m2f handicap chase with just five runners going to post. It was won by Might As Well for trainer Seamus Mullins and jockey Andrew Thornton. The grey had been falling in the weights after some disappointing efforts but was the most enthusiastic horse on show today with all of his rivals showing a distinct adversity toward making this contest any sort of a race. I would be surprised if any of them, including the winner, could defy their current marks in the future.

The final race of the Easter Festival was a staying handicap hurdle and Gilded Age, who had run here the previous day without success, took the prize to give Jockey Tom Cannon a treble and trainer Chris Gordon a double on the card. He went from the front and maintained his position off of a good pace. At the second last he was being strongly challenged by stablemate Mangonel when that one came down leaving him with a handy advantage. He stayed on to win by five lengths from Waarid.

The clerk of the course Mark Cornford has changed the advanced going report for the Easter Bank Holiday meeting to good with good to soft places. The riders’ on the opening day were unanimous that the ground was riding dead and that it had continued to dry throughout the day.

The feature race on the card is the More Football Than Ever At Totepool.com Handicap Chase, a class 3 contest to be run over 2m1f with £15000 in added prize money. The nine declared are mostly well known to the handicapper and this is a difficult race to be confident about any of the protagonists. Takeroc heads the weights for trainer Chris Gordon and should be well suited by the ground and trip. Despite some fair efforts he is without a win since October 2011 but is now six pounds lower than his winning mark that day and added to the handy three pound claim of Tom Cannon he should feature at the business end of the race. Mister Matt has been off since October when he ran a fair race in a valuable Cheltenham handicap and has won off the back of an extended break before. The handicapper is aware of his capabilities but on this sharp track, his prominent style of running should stand him in good stead and he has a realistic chance. Lucy’s Legend is probably the least exposed of these and gets in on a handy weight. She has won two of her seven races over fences and although she has disappointed in her last three outings since winning at Kempton, if she can recapture her spark on the best ground she has seen for some time, she could feature. I would pay close attention to the betting market and look for the value but I feel the winner will come from the three horses’ mentioned.

Although I am not confident of being able to identify the winner of the feature race, I would be very surprised if Sash of Honour did not win the opening juvenile hurdle. He cost 46,000 guineas at the sales when purchased last October. Three runs over hurdles have seen this son of Galileo run with promise but I feel that back on better ground he will improve significantly. A handy weight allowance from his principal rival Whipcrackaway strengthens my view that Sash of Honour can get off the mark. Whipcrackaway had Dollar Bill behind when they last ran and on the revised terms I see no real reason why the latter can reverse the form. Peter Hedger trains Whipcrackaway and used to have No No Cardinal in his care. The latter is now with Charlie Longsdon and I think it would be fair to say Hedger knows exactly where he stands with him. It may be Longsdon has improved No No Cardinal but that is pure speculation and his lack of experience may count against him. I would think Sash of Honour is my nap of the entire two day meeting.

The 3.35 is an ultra competitive handicap hurdle over 2m5f and features a number of locally based challengers’. The Gary Moore trained Cabimas has been a touch disappointing to this point but the application of a first time visor could potentially renew his enthusiasm. Lewes trainer Suzy Smith has a couple in the race and Madame Jasmine is dropping back in trip and may struggle for pace. Her second entry InvictaLake has something to find with Minella Special, who is the likely favourite, and is worthy of his place at the head of the market. Minella Special should appreciate this good ground and looks a horse on a good mark with the potential to progress further and for me is likely to see off the local challengers who also include the Sheena West trained Ya Hafed who should again run his race but may once again find a couple too good.

A well subscribed card that should provide another day of exciting racing.

With a cold but dry week behind us, the going improved to good to soft for the first day of the Easter meeting here at Plumpton. The weather was dry and sunny with no noticeable wind but remained distinctly cold and the going stick report was 5.9 on the hurdles track and 6.1 on the chase course.

The opening race was depleted by the forecast favourite Top Gamble being declared a non runner and Bebinn and FoxesBridge were the paddock choices. However, despite jumping fluently the keen, front running Bebinn could not hold the challenge of Henryville. The Harry Fry trained five year old was produced at the final flight under a great educational ride from Noel Fehily. Keen early, Henryville was held up in rear before making progress leaving the back straight. He tracked Bebinn and Mr Steel into the straight and was slightly hampered running to the penultimate flight. Going on at the last he quickened clear of his rivals to win well. Trainer Harry Fry commented “The hood kept him more settled today. It will be a year before we see the best of him as he is still immature. His bumper form gave him a good chance here and he should progress”. Harry Fry is now four from four with his runners at Plumpton.

Doheny Bar was well supported during the morning with William Hill for the 2m4f chase at 3.00 and the support continued on course. He made all the running and had the majority of his field in trouble by the time they turned out of the back straight but Rosoff emerged to throw down a challenge turning in but he blundered at the last when nearly on terms and Doheny Bar had enough in the tank to go on and win well and land the gamble. Trainer Paul Henderson said “I don’t know where the money came from but he’s a nice horse who has worked well at home but up until today we’ve not see the best of him on the racecourse. He’s appreciated the drying ground as a lot of mine do”. The Gary Moore trained Lajidaal looked very well beforehand but was under pressure with a circuit to run and did not look the most willing.

Last Shot made every yard of the running in the 2m1f handicap chase and jumped well. Aidan Coleman kicked him into a clear lead turning the home bend and he was never in any serious danger thereafter. He won by ten lengths. To Live appeared to get outpaced turning out onto the final circuit but did get back into the race with the chance of a place before coming down at the second last. He may want a step up in trip.

The inaugural running of the Sussex Champion Hurdle was a competitive event as one would expect for such a valuable prize and the handicapper’s fear’s that Court Minstrel may have been underestimated were well founded as he went onto take the prize. He travelled well in rear before progressing in the back straight for the final time, being produced by Paul Moloney early in the home straight and then jumping to the front at the last and quickening away to win by just over two lengths. Paul Moloney said afterwards “We wanted to go to the CountyHurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but he missed the cut by one. We were quite confident today and he has produced the goods. I don’t know what’s next for him, I’ll leave that to he boss”. In second place was the Sussex trained Specialagent Alfie who ran a blinder for trainer Nick Gifford and is a really likeable type. As expected, this better ground proved ideal for him and if he does not get hammered by the handicapper he should pick up a handicap before the end of the season. When he goes chasing he will be an even better prospect and the potential to step up in trip is also there. Of the other’s, Balder Succes never looked happy and did not jump with any alacrity. The morning gamble Ronaldo Des Motte plugged on for third without ever looking likely to win.

Looking On was a racecourse whisper for the 2m maiden hurdle and duly obliged for the in form Venetia Williams and gave the yard a double on the card. Despite looking to be keeping a little to himself and idling on the run in, this former flat performer showed an aptitude for hurdling and should be capable of picking up more races when going handicapping in due course. The Sussex trained Ministry ran with credit in fourth for Diana Grissell but the form of this contest is somewhat anchored by the second placed finish of Breaking Bits who has plenty of experience for this type of event. The winner is the only horse to take for the future.

Trainer Richard Rowe has been on the cold list for a while but broke his drought when Alteranthela made virtually all the running to win the 3m2f handicap chase. He jumped well throughout and quickened around the home bend to win emphatically. The trainer commented on the win. “He’s a novice with plenty of experience and he used that to good advantage today. He probably likes good ground but has had leg problems so can’t have it too quick. He likes it here as he showed on his last run at the track but bumped into one that day. I’ll find another race for him shortly as I wouldn’t imagine the handicapper will be too hard on him”. Somerby was prominent in the market but never looked happy on the ground and was ridden along from an early stage before dropping away with a circuit to run and was quickly pulled up. A return to a stiffer track and softer ground will help his cause no end. Laughing Game and Poppy Gregg did not show the enthusiasm one would like.

In the last race over 2m5f which was restricted to conditional jockeys’ the impressive Gavin Sheehan won on 16/1 chance LaughtonPark for Lewes trainer Suzy Smith.who was delighted with the win. “It was really the ground that made the difference and a great ride from Gavin. He really appreciated the strong pace and everything fell into place today”. LaughtonPark had left Gary Moore and joined Suzy recently and the deep ground he had faced in his last two starts had a bearing on those two disappointing runs. He was not unfancied by connections today and his local owner Tony Russell feels there is more to come.

A great days racing on the first day of the Easter Festival which was most notable for the impressive success in the inaugural running of the Sussex Champion Hurdle from Court Minstrel.

A biting wind blew across the track throughout the day with light snow a constant. During the running of the final race the snow became markedly heavier and if it had arrived any earlier the race would have been in jeopardy. The going was soft with heavy places.

The opening two mile five furlong novice hurdle was won by the long odds on favourite Broadway Buffalo in impressive fashion. He was sent into the lead by Tom Scudamore from the start and he hurdled fluently throughout. Drawing progressively further clear of some modest rivals from the fourth last, he could not have posted a more decisive win. Unbeaten in five races, the gelding looks to have an enthusiastic attitude and Andrew Powell, who is part of the syndicate who own the five year old, suggested the possibility of a significant rise in class for his next engagement.

“The trainer (David Pipe) decided against going to Cheltenham this week but Aintree or Punchestown could be on the agenda next. We’ll leave it to David. He is still a bit of a baby and with a summer on his back should come back a stronger horse next season”.

In the paddock prior to the race, Broadway Buffalo looked lean and fit and gives the impression that he has some physical development to come. This was an excellent performance under a double penalty and the gelding will have no problem with three miles, a view supported by his pedigree. Considering his style of running and the part owners comments, it is not inconceivable that he could be aimed at either the three mile Grade 3 handicap or possibly the Grade 1 Sefton novice hurdle at the Aintree Grand National meeting.

Lindsay’s Dream provided a 14/1 shock in the feature mares handicap hurdle when narrowly seeing off the favourite Goochypoochyprader in the closest finish of the day. They were divided by a nose at the line after Lindsay’s Dream had jumped to the front at the last before her rival bravely renewed her challenge in the final fifty yards and so nearly got back up. It was a welcome success for the Sussex trainer Zoe Davison who was asked to explain the improvement in her mare’s performance from her last outing. The Stewards noted her comments that the horse had jumped far better here and the reapplication of cheekpieces had been a benefit. The second lost nothing in defeat and of the others, Wilde Ruby was never able to go the pace on this drop in trip and Shesha Bear weakened tamely from the home bend after having travelled well until leaving the back straight. Eudemis won over seventy thousand pounds in France but never looked happy from a very early stage suggesting she is feeling something or her enthusiasm for the game has waned. Chilworth Screamer saw some early market support and ran on at one pace after trying to challenge off the home bend. The form is fair at best.

Fergal O’Brien had his first runner at the track as a trainer and scored with the short priced favourite Gemini Ahhs. He travelled really well throughout and had the race sewn up after two out. His jockey Paddy Brennan was very pleased with the performance.

“He is nicely bred and travelled well today. He seemed much more confident in his jumping today and it could well be he will run under a penalty soon if there is a race for him”.

The second home, Alteranthela, also travelled well until the home bend and his performance was such that he can be expected to pick up a similar race in due course.

Petit Ecuyer looked to have the 2m1f handicap chase at his mercy turning into the straight but despite the urgings of Jamie Moore did not look that keen to hit the front from the equally temperamental Mr Muddle and ultimately lost out by half a length.

Marc Goldstein commented post race on the winner.

“He’s a bit of a monkey and seemed to be waiting a bit in front. The loose horse helped him and this was his day”.

Upton Mead made it two wins from three starts when taking the 2m4f handicap chase and advertised his trainer Kevin Tork in a good light. The six year old gelding has improved significantly since joining Kevin and is either a difficult ride or is in need of a little further. I am not sure which he is but he had no problem pulling eleven lengths clear of his sole remaining rival after having been off the bridle for most of the contest so I favour the possibility that this former point winner could end up getting even further. He may not have finished winning in this grade.

An enjoyable day with some close finishes and the opportunity to see a potential decent horse in Broadway Buffalo.

Anglo Irish Race Day at Plumpton provides a seven race card getting underway at 2.10 with the ground forecast to be soft with heavy places. The going stick reads 5.7 on the hurdle track and 6.2 on the chase course.

The opening novice hurdle looks to be a match between Broadway Buffalo and Fiddlers Bid. The former is unbeaten in two hurdle races and two bumpers and is a future staying chaser in the mind of his trainer David Pipe. He has been a little novicey with his hurdling to date but regardless this looks a very good opportunity for the horse. The double penalty will make things tricky with Fiddlers Bid a capable horse with an official rating of 124 but that horse is an unlikely runner having run at Warwick yesterday. If he turns up he will make Broadway Buffalo work but if as seems likely he does not, there is very little in the form of his other rivals to suggest they can trouble the likely odds on favourite.

The feature race is the mare’s handicap hurdle and the top weight Wilde Ruby will be popular with many. She ran with credit on her last start in a listed contest and is just a pound above her last winning mark. The drop back in trip concerns me and the big weight she carries in the very soft ground that is forecast means I feel she is opposable. Of her rivals, Jonathan Portman has two declared in Shesha Bear and Now What. The former was a multiple winner on the flat at middle distances at a modest level and appears to have enjoyed the switch to hurdling, running with credit in two starts. The five pound claim of conditional rider Gavin Sheehan is handy and whilst the trainer has expressed a belief that the mare will improve for some better ground there are reasons for believing she is quite well handicapped. She is the stable first string and should prove very competitive here. Eudemis won over seventy thousand pounds in French hurdle races and has been picked up by the Pembrokeshire trainer David Rees. He has stated that he finding about the horse but it is interesting that he has a good record here at Plumpton and it is a long journey purely for an education. The market will provide a good guide. Goochypoochyprada  is at the foot of the weights and steps up in class here after posting two wins and a second in the past three weeks. Conditions appear ideal and it is not inconceivable that she can find the required improvement to run well here. I would suggest that Shesha Bear will overcome her trainer’s fears regarding the ground and take advantage of what looks a feasible handicap mark.

As well as Broadway Buffalo, David Pipe runs Quinte De Chatelet and Bambeleo here and both will wear first time blinkers. The trainer feels the former has Upton Mead to beat but thinks this is a good opportunity for a horse he feels has more ability in him than he shown to date. Bambeleo has been plain disappointing and it will be a brave punter who decides to take a short price about such an individual.

Fergal O’Brien runs Gemini Ahs in the staying handicap chase and with the horse knocking on the door recently, the trainer sounded confident of a big run in conditions he believes will be ideal for the horse when I spoke with him recently.

A cold and dry day prevailed with the going reported by jockeys as riding to the official descriptions. The Chase course was good to soft with a going stick measurement of 6.5 whilst the hurdles track was soft, going stick 6.1.

Venetia Williams sent down two runners’ for the meeting and was delighted to return home with two wins in the bag. The first came courtesy of Leviathan in the opening novice hurdle and he was never headed after taking up the running shortly after the field jumped the second flight. The form of his recent Sandown run promised a bold show here and he duly won for the first time over hurdles after seeing off his challengers up the home straight. There was an incident at the second last where Leviathan made a small error and the second home Little Dutch Girl appeared to get the worst of some contact with Ourmanmassini. Leviathan went onto score by a length and a half and Williams was pleased with her novice.

“We bought him at the November Doncaster Sales and he’s a very sound horse. We’re pleased to get this win under his belt and there aren’t any great plans for him, we’ll just take it step by step. His future is probably in handicaps”.

Jupiter Rex completed the second leg of the double for Venetia and his own personal four timer, but those who had taken the odds would not have been that confident for the first three quarters of the 3m2f Gay Kindersley Memorial Salver. The six year old gelding was just starting to get on top when Global Warming crashed out at the second last and he saw off his last serious rival Massini Sunset to ultimately win quite well. His rider Will Biddick gave his version in the winner’s enclosure post race.

“He took a while to get going and was bumped around a few times early on. After shoving along for most of the race, I eventually got to the front when the other horse fell two out and he then pricked his ears and ended up doing it quite well”.

In terms of official ratings, Violin Davis was the best horse on show on the day and she justified her short price in the market when never looking in any serious danger in the mares’ only novice chase over 2m4f. Her trainer Harry Fry has won with all three of his runners’ here at Plumpton and he spoke of the future for Violin Davis.

“This was short enough for her in terms of the trip but it’s best to keep her on the go as opportunities for mares after they lose their novice status are limited. This was a weak event but she’s done it well and has the Mares Final at Newbury on the 23^rd of March as her main target”.

The attheraces.com On Your iPad Handicap hurdle over two miles saw good support for a number of the protagonists and none more so than Tornado In Milan who was ultimately sent off a relatively short price and won in the style of a horse that is just starting to find himself. Keenness had been a problem for him in the past but he appeared to settle better here after having been sent on early in the contest. He ultimately travelled well into the straight before drawing clear between the last two flights to win emphatically by five lengths. Paul Moloney, who rode him, was pleased with the performance as he explained afterwards.

“He’s run well in his last two but keenness has always been a problem. The guys at home have done a great job with him. He’s getting better and will ultimately make a three mile chaser. He’s going the right way”.

In the closing bumper event, Anteros travelled well throughout before coming through the take the race by the scruff of the neck in the home straight. With the race won he seemed to idle a bit and allowed the second home, Cannon Fodder, to close on him late in the piece. However, Paul Moloney never looked too worried and posted a double on the card in good style. The favourite was Sonofaking for Phillip Hobbs and though he was well backed during the morning, he drifted on the track and was easily seen off when the pace quickened in he home straight.

Midnight Lira and Southway Queen fought out a tremendous battle in the 2m5f mares’ handicap hurdle with the former just prevailing by a short head after the pair duelled from the home turn onwards. Her trainer Caroline Keevil enhanced her excellent record here with the win and is confident there is better to come from Midnight Lira.

“The better ground has helped her today. She is just starting to strengthen up and I’m sure she will get further. I’ll keep her busy whilst the ground is improving” were Caroline’s thoughts.

The ground has been drying out over the past week or so and the clerk of the course is now happy to describe the going as good to soft with some soft patches on the hurdles course. The going stick report at the time of writing is 5.9 on the hurdles track and 6.2 on the chase. Frost covers have been deployed. With a cold wind in evidence over the past few days the track could continue to dry out although there remains the possibility of some scattered light showers according to the forecast.

The card gets underway at 2.10 with a competitive novice hurdle over two miles. Asker hails from the in form yard of Sussex trainer Gary Moore and ran well here on his last start behind an individual with Cheltenham aspirations. Moore has been pleased with the former flat performer and has suggested that his schooling has improved with some better ground to jump out of. Venetia Williams sends Leviathan down from her Herefordshire base having run a decent race at Sandown behind Tominator just ten days ago. Williams had a range of options for Leviathan but has chosen this option as she feels it is the best opportunity for him to gain a confidence boosting success. Nicky Henderson has found a good opportunity for Little Dutch Girl who gets in here off of just ten stone as she receives all the allowances. Her form is not too exciting but if she is capable of improvement we should see it here. With other contestants boasting winning form or hailing from strong yards, this looks quite competitive for a race of its nature. Personally, I would just about side with Leviathan.

The second race on the card is a mares’ only novice chase and many will be highly surprised if the Harry Fry trained Violin Davis does not follow up her recent win. The mare has been making all in recent track visits and with so much in hand on official ratings, I too would be astonished if her rivals even saw which way she went. Fry landed the big handicap chase at Kempton on Saturday so there is no doubt about the rookie trainer’s current form and those punters’ who like a short priced favourite will be queuing up to support the mare who has won two of her three chase’s to this point.

The 3.10 is a handicap hurdle over two miles and is a competitive affair on paper. Just Beware is at the foot of the ten runner field for the East Grinstead team of Zoe Davison. These are the conditions that suit the Plumpton specialist ideally and with her down to a mark just a couple of pounds above her highest winning mark she is starting to look as though another win for the eleven year old mare is on the horizon. For me she has excellent place claims here but there are certainly a couple of others in the field who have scope for improvement, especially as the ground dries out. That comment certainly applies to the Evan Williams trained Tornado In Milan. He has been very keen in his races this term and that has cost him but Williams is absolutely adamant that better ground will bring about a significant improvement in this son of Milan. He does feel that the horse will certainly stay further in time but his keenness has not been allowing him to get home over further. Do not be surprised if he goes off in front at a strong gallop and it will be a case of catch me if you can. Brody Bleu is an ex French performer who showed little in two runs over there. However, he won his only point in the UK and makes his rules debut here for Robert Walford off of a feasible mark. The market should prove a good guide to his chance and the booking of Daryl Jacob to ride certainly catches the eye. Right Stuff heads the weights for Gary Moore and he is now just two pounds above the mark which saw him win a couple of races back in November 2011. He is lightly raced since and his hurdles runs this winter should be forgotten as they came on soft ground which is totally against him. The win he registered in an all weather claimer in January shows his well being and he can prove competitive here if the going continues to dry. Star of Massini made a promising start to his UK hurdling career at Kempton on his first start for new connections. He was beaten just a nose and has gone up four pounds for that and is another who has the scope to progress. I think this is a tight looking event but I have faith in Evan Williams opinion that Tornado In Milan will improve markedly for the forecast good ground, as the majority of the offspring of his sire tend to do.

This is another well subscribed card for Plumpton and the seven races promise to provide some exciting spectacles with the chance of seeing individuals who could do well through the latter half of the season as the ground hopefully continues to improve.