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.

Over the past five weeks we have been busy not only due to there being a race meeting during that period but because the ground staff have managed to re-seed  the course, with perennial rye grass for those that are interested, and also fed it with a part organic based fertiliser to promote growth.

Unfortunately the cold north easterly wind that has blown across the course recently has been slowing the grass recovery down, but that said and helped in no small way by the irrigation system I feel sure that everyone will see and appreciate a big improvement in the course’s appearance since the 19th April.

I predict the going for this Sunday’s family fun day meeting to be Good to Firm-Watered,            unless the rain arrives in time to help us.

The track conditions were on the quick side and the course was once again in great condition for the annual Countryside Day meeting.

Those punters who like to follow trainers and jockeys with just the one runner or ride at a meeting were well rewarded with five of the seven winners provided by trainers in that category and six of the seven by the jockeys.

 In terms of ratings the best horse on the entire card was Bangkok Pete in the novice hurdle. He justified his long odds on price in the betting market with an ultimately comfortable success. He did have to be ridden along turning out of the back straight before gradually asserting, tending to suggest that the Brendan Powell trained gelding was not ideally suited by the prevailing ground. This contest had unfortunately cut up quite considerably from a good five day entry and Bangkok Pete was in a different class to a modest bunch.

That could also be said of Via Galilei in the opening 2m Maiden Hurdle. He was given an extremely confident ride by Jamie Moore who employed exaggerated waiting tactics before closing quickly toward the end of the back straight. He led at the final hurdle and went clear on the run in for a comfortable victory. The horse won a valuable flat Heritage handicap at the Curragh and had an official rating close to three figures in that sphere when with his former trainer Jim Bolger. Current trainer Gary Moore said “This season has not gone well for the horse at all and I didn’t expect to be running him in a race like this. I had been taking him to Newbury and Kempton which tells you I thought a bit of him. That will do him good, he has the size to jump a fence but we will take it one step at a time. He could be out again soon, maybe on the flat.”

It would appear we have yet to see the best of Via Galilei and the handicapper could not be too harsh on what we have seen so far and he may prove well handicapped in the future.

One horse who has certainly proved well handicapped this season is the Sean Curran trained Ray Mond. He scored his sixth win in the nine starts he has had since joining his current yard and has risen thirty pounds in the ratings during that time. Yesterday’s comfortable eighteen length win in the 2m4f handicap chase suggested his winning streak was far from over. His front running style was ideally suited to the track although he did jump consistently right handed. Sean Curran said “He has come out of the race bucking and kicking. He doesn’t get a penalty for yesterday’s race so I’m looking for a race before he is reassessed. He jumped right handed here the last time he came and I think it is something to do with either the TV camera or the stables by that fence. He takes a lot of getting fit so while he is in good form we will keep him going.”

The 2m1f chase provided quite a spectacle for race goers as the race neared its climax turning into the home straight for the final time. Take A Mile had gone to the front after the third last and was still two lengths clear from the second favourite Tempting Paradise as they ran toward the penultimate fence. At that point he was hampered by a loose horse and ploughed through the obstacle causing his saddle to slip and throwing jockey Wayne Kavanagh to the offside of his mount with both feet out of his irons. Holding on for dear life, he gradually worked his way back across into the saddle and with the final fence fast approaching he scrambled to get his feet back in the stirrups. Still only a length behind his only potential rival as they jumped the last Kavanagh was sent head first into the turf as Take A Mile clipped the top of the fence and came down too steeply. This was an unjust reward for all of the jockeys valiant efforts and left Tempting Paradise to come home in his own time and thereby registering another course winner for Welsh trainer Evan Williams.

The selling handicap hurdle went to Jim Best who seems to have won every such event at the course this season. Pearly Star was a well supported 7/2 favourite but a sloppy jump at the third last caused a number of his supporters some anxiety as he dropped to third place having made much of the running to that point. But this son of a Gunner B mare has stamina as his forte and under a strong ride from the impressive Andrew Glassonbury he worked himself back into the contest before staying on strongly to win going away. The trainer said afterwards “Even though the mistake didn’t help I was always confident he would get back into it. There are no firm plans for him and we will try to find a similar type of race.” The second horse home, Night Groove, will have delighted her trainer Michelle Bryant. She trains locally from a small yard at South Common and this horse was having his first run since June 2008. Formerly with Lewes trainer Paddy Butler, Michelle will be hopeful of getting a win in the summer from her new charge.

The previously disappointing Alterrain won the staying handicap chase in decisive fashion from what on paper looked a very modest bunch. This former winning pointer may have turned the corner and connections will now be much more hopeful for the horse’s future.

The concluding handicap hurdle provided the closest finish of the day with the locally trained Shropshirelass getting up close home to deny Ray Diamond who himself returned to something of the form he produced as a juvenile last season. The trainer of the winner Zina Davison has now got back to back wins from this consistent mare.

National Hunt racing has always been vulnerable to the elements and looking back there have only been five seasons since 1946 when the planned programme has been completed without any losses.  The improvements to drainage and the recent introduction of frost covers has meant that three of those abandonment free seasons have come in the last 12 years.

Numerically the worst seasons were 1974/75, 1977/78 and 1985/86 with six meetings being lost each season.  In 1974/75 waterlogging knocked out 4 of the six meetings planned during January, February and March and to make matters worse both days of the Easter meeting were lost to a combination of snow and waterlogging.

To move to more cheerful things I would like to add my congratulations to Mark Cornford and his team for winning the Neil Wyatt Groundstaff Award for the best jumps racecourse.  This is richly deserved and the ability of the team to get racing on even in the worst that winter can throw at them is a testimony to their efforts.

On the racecourse itself, Plumpton regular, The Hardy Boy won his sixth race at Plumpton on 31 January ridden by Mattie Batchelor.  This now leaves the ten years old just two behind equalling the Plumpton steeplechase record of Snitterfield.  Snitterfield was trained at Denmead, Hampshire by Michael Madgwick who also trained Sumdancer runner up to The Hardy Boy on his latest win.  The Hardy Boy made his racecourse debut in an Irish point to point at Templemore on 25 October 2004 and his first win came on 8 April 2005 when JT McNamara steered him to win at Dromahane.  Bought by Mrs John Grist, The Hardy Boy made his British racing debut in a novices hurdle at Plumpton on 17 October 2005 ridden by Colin Bolger.  Trainer Anna Newton-Smith saddled two others in that race, English Jim ridden by Mattie Batchelor and It’s official ridden by John McNamara.  Although The Hardy boy pulled up in that race he ran only once more in a hurdle race before going steeplechasing and scored his first win at Lingfield Park on 8 November 2006 (the only time he has won other than at Plumpton).

Anna Newton Smith who trains at Jevington near Eastbourne has a great record at Plumpton with eleven winners in the last five seasons and on 1 March this year she completed a double with Portrait Royale (a winner again on Easter Monday) and Pomander.

Mattie Batchelor who rode The Hardy Boy to his latest win is another regular with a career total of 38 winners at Plumpton and on Easter Sunday he rode the Lydia Richards owned and trained Kappelhoff to win the Bet Live In-Play At totesport.com Handicap Chase and in so doing beat The Hardy Boy be 35 lengths.  This was a first win at Plumpton for Kappelhoff who has won all his previous races at Fontwell Park.  Those with a very long memory might remember that the colours of white, cerise hoops and blue sleeves carried by Kappelhoff were worn by Ron Harrison to win the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown Park in 1960 on Plummers Plain who started 20/1 and was trained at Patching near Worthing by Sid Dale.

Though we are delighted the sun is finally shining and it truly feels as though Spring is here, we have also had to start watering from Wednesday. All is looking good for a dry and sunny day on Monday – the wet weather at Easter seems a long time ago!

The Grand National was particularly enjoyable this year, and we were all absolutely delighted for A P.  We were all cheering him home from 4 out, despite not having a penny on.  We are very lucky as a racecourse to enjoy the support of A P, Jonjo and J P McManus, and it was great to see A P get the wider recognition he so richly deserves.

The best race on Monday’s card in terms of current official ratings is the 2m5f novice hurdle at 3.20. Also the excellent number of entries at the five day stage raises hopes that many will stand their ground after the final declarations are received on Sunday evening and racegoers can enjoy an interesting and informative contest.

A good number of those entries have been from prominent stables but I do not have the space to go through them all and have selected a few who should feature prominently if they stand their ground. Arkose has been highly tried since he made a winning UK debut and although this ex Irish pointer disappointed on his last run, when he appeared not to stay the extended three mile trip, he must be a leading player on this drop in class. His trainer Oliver Sherwood has a good record here with his hurdlers and the 6yo gelding should be suited by this sharp track. Another who will find the track playing to her strengths is the course and distance winner Sophies Trophy. Also the faster ground is very likely to suit her well (good run last time on Kempton s quick AW surface). Enthusiasm is tempered however by her double penalty but the trainer Pat Phelan is another with a fine course record. Bangkok Pete is dropped in class here after running in the EBF Novice Hurdle Final at Sandown where he was out of his depth and although he has solid form at a reasonable level this return to quick ground is not certain to suit him ideally. The juvenile Fin Vin De Leu was heavily supported on his last visit to Plumpton but appeared not to fully see out this trip against his elders on that occasion and although the less testing going likely here will help him in that respect it is unlikely that he will enjoy such ground with his quite rounded action. Some of his collateral form appears to tie him in quite favourably with Sophies Trophy but that could be misleading. Finally, the game Doncaster winner Hidden Keel looks as though the step up in trip here will suit him nicely as will the quicker ground. There have been winners from his Doncaster win and that will encourage connections but his chance looks as though it will be heavily reliant on the new conditions bringing marked improvement in his form. This is not impossible and I would suggest him as the alternative to Arkose as the likely winner of a good contest.

Phillip Hobbs has no less than four entries for the concluding 2m5f handicap hurdle and his final selection must be worthy of interest especially with the yard in such good recent form. Lewes trainer Jim Best is as usual enjoying a high strike rate and he has placed Canni Thinkaar well this season and he will be a player if taking his chance. However his handicap mark is now markedly higher after four wins from five starts. The novice Azulada Bay from the stable of Mark Rimell has been running consistently behind some fairly decent types but might just lack a bit of pace on this surface. The most interesting runner is the Gary Moore trained Lupanar who as a novice would have picked this lot up and carried them. He had a spell chasing but was far too clumsy although he did race with his usual zest. Brought back to hurdles at Kempton last time in a far hotter contest than this he ran with credit without ever seriously being put in the race. This quicker ground will be to his liking, he has course form and rates for me the nap of the meeting. He does have an entry at Ascot on Sunday in a much better race but hopefully will take this option.

Local trainer Anna Newton-Smith will be represented at the meeting by both Portrait Royale in the staying handicap chase and by The Hardy Boy in the conditional jockeys 2m5f handicap chase at 2.50. The latter came back from an injury sustained when winning here in January and ran with credit over course and distance. With that run sharpening him up he should show improved form. He is however likely to come up against some in form types such as Ray Mond, Brushford and Prince Louis. There are plenty of others also to consider in a trappy affair. Portrait Royale on the other hand will be near certain to go off favourite in her contest after a good win here at the last meeting. With the stable having done well recently she will be hard to beat. Nick Gifford has Timons Present entered and the Findon trainer is always to be respected with his runners here.

Jim Best would once again appear to have the seller at his mercy. Other notable runners should they stand their ground are the Lucy Wadham trained Laharna in the 2m chase a race in which Renee Robeson also has Jardin De Vienne and the Pat Phelan trained Oxford City in the opening maiden hurdle who will be of interest to each way punters.

The opening contest resulted in a straight forward win for Barrel Of Fun. The horse was acquired by the Jim Best team from the Irish trainer Dermot Weld. Tom Best said “This was not the horses ground, he wants a much quicker surface. It was pleasing to see him win like that and we will keep him going through the summer and see where he takes us. We like him and are very hopeful for the future with him.” Without doubt he did not beat much in this race but he could not have been more impressive and will be well placed by connections to score again. I am sure he will stick to two miles for the foreseeable future but the pedigree suggests half a mile further would not inconvenience him.

In terms of ratings the best horse on the card was I Have Dreamed but he was sent off second favourite in a field of three for the two mile novice chase. However he saw off the previous course winner and odds on favourite King Edmund, who had no official rating, to win decisively for Gary Moore. The form looks fine as there was a decent enough pace throughout and King Edmund was just thwarted by his double penalty. Both look as though they will make up into fair handicappers next term around the smaller southern tracks.

Prior to racing Chico Time was quoted in most bookmakers lists as the favourite or very close to it for the staying handicap hurdle. However he drifted markedly in the on course market and was eventually sent off at 8/1 in a field of just six. That did not stop him winning though as he saw off the persistent Konigsbote in a driving finish. The race was a modest affair but several came here in form and the race may throw up a couple of winners in low grade end of season affairs.

The most disappointing performance of the day was from Beau Lake who had been made a well supported favourite for the 2m5f handicap hurdle. He was making a bad shape when jumping his hurdles and lost his pitch very early in the race. He came under pressure with a circuit to run and was exhausted after jumping the hurdle at the top of the hill for the final time. After such a good run at Newbury in a much more competitive contest, this run must have been a real disappointment for trainer Suzy Smith and connections. The winner was the grey top weight Pistol Desbois who had the race won from the end of the back straight and just pulled further and further clear. He refound his form after a number of very disappointing performances that dated back to last season. The form of this race is questionable to say the least.

Jevington trainer Anna Newton-Smith registered her second winner at the meeting when Portrait Royale scored her third win of the season in the 3m2f handicap chase. Second in her two other starts, this eight year old mare has justified all the faith of her trainer and given her owners, who are good supporters of her yard, a great deal of pleasure in that time. The long term plan is to have a crack at next seasons Kent National at Folkestone.

Along with the winner of the opening contest Barrel Of Fun, the facile bumper winner Oscar Papa is the horse to be taken from the two days at the Easter meeting. Nick Gifford’s Presenting gelding looked stronger the further they went and built on a promising debut at Folkestone. He will make up into a decent staying novice hurdler next term given a clear, injury free run.

The highlight of the card was the Class 3 2m handicap hurdle and it produced a decisive winner in Olympian who skipped clear of his field rounding the home bend and maintained his advantage over the final two flights. He tired a little on the run in reducing his winning distance to seven lengths over Rachel White who had stayed on dourly to be a clear second. Olympian used to be trained by Gary Moore but the owner PW Middleton has recently taken over the training duties. The decision was vindicated by this victory and obviously not unexpected as the winner was backed into clear favourite. Lord Singer represented Gary Moore in the contest but finished a disappointing sixth of seven. However, he has seen quite a bit of the track since the turn of the year and once again he refused to settle pulling really hard in rear for the best part of a circuit. This is another step in his education and when he does learn to settle he will be a useful novice chaser when switched to fences next season. This run is best forgotten.

The Flint team who were responsible for Raquel White had scored a win in the previous contest, the 2m1f chase, with Star Galaxy. The horse has had a great season  and he defied top weight quite comfortably after having drawn upsides the eventual second Shes Humble between the last two fences before quickening clear at the final fence. The race was run at a decent pace throughout after Sumdancer had cut out the running until being headed before three out. On this performance Star Galaxy is worth a shot in higher grade with a low weight.

The Jim Best trained Geography looked in great condition in the paddock prior to winning the selling handicap hurdle. This was just his second run for the yard since leaving Paddy Butler. Looking at the ten year old you wondered why he was running in such lowly grade but that was explained by his performance in the race and the assistant trainer Tom Best. After jumping the final flight he went clear but started dossing in front and nearly gave the race away to Gary Moore’s Saddlers Mot. Tom said “He would beat this lot hands down if he was to run like he works at home and he’s quirky on the track. He’s not likely to change either.”

The opening contest looked half a decent race on paper and the word was out for Fin Vin De Leu who was backed steadily down to 15/8 favouritism. The juvenile travelled like the best horse in the race until running to the last flight where he tired in the heavy ground and just failed to see out the 2m 5f trip. He will undoubtedly get this sort of distance as he matures physically but this came just a little too soon in his career. The win was taken by Misstree Dancer who was very game in the finish when challenged by the fast finishing Latin America and held on by a diminishing neck. A thick set individual she had shown on her previous start that she relished very soft ground and she will improve at staying trips next season.

Anna Newton-Smith continued her excellent recent run when Quartz Du Montceau made all the running in the staying chase under a great ride by conditional jockey Peter Toole. He judged the fractions to a nicety quickening the pace on the final circuit before giving his mount a breather turning out of the back straight and then asking him to stride clear approaching two out. This was the geldings first win. The trainer commented”It was a great ride and the fitting of cheekpieces seem to have helped the horse.He really likes the track and being only six he can hopefully continue his improvement.”

Another of Anna’s horse’s that loves it around Plumpton is The Hardy Boy. He won here on his last start in January but picked up a slight injury then which put him out of work for a month and that showed in the subsequent 2m4f chase when he weakened from before the top bend to finish a distant second to the 13 year old Kappelhoff. He scored his first victory away from Fontwell for the Chichester trainer Lydia Richards and received a good waiting ride from local rider Mattie Batchelor to ultimately score a facile win.

The final race on the card was taken by Ramvaswani who has often looked reluctant in the past and in scoring his first win in 55 starts rather summed up the quality of this maiden hurdle.

The best of Venetia Williams entries looks to be Pool Of Knowledge who ran encouragingly when third here at the last meeting in what looks a fair contest. He would come to the fore if this race were to cut up as would the £30000 purchase from Lawney Hill’s stable, Decision. Both yards do well here but may struggle if the likes of Alhaque and Extreme Impact do get the go ahead to run.

The former is trained by Gary Moore and he has come up against some decent individuals in three starts. The ex flat stayer will be suited by the forecast conditions and the drop in grade. Evan Williams Extreme Impact will give him a run for his money though if putting his best foot forward. He too will be suited by this drop in grade. The choice would be Alhaque and he looks one of the best bets on the whole card.

The 2m1f chase, another novice event, is a race which has entries from a number of stables with excellent records at the course.

The two principals are likely to be King Edmund and I Have Dreamed who both have solid course form at this trip. The latter ran very poorly at Kempton last time for no apparent reason but if you ignore that he must go close here. Making the journey up from Chris Gordon’s yard in Dorset is King Edmund who is a front runner who jumps boldly, although he unluckily fell at the first at Sandown on his penultimate start, and is highly likely to go off favourite here. Of the others, Enfant De Lune looks to have been grossly over rated as a hurdler and doesn’t appear to be going forward over fences whilst Nicky Henderson’s Prince Du Bersy is certainly not of the standard you generally associate with the yard. Zafar is being prepared for a summer jumping campaign and King Edmund looks the one to be with here.

Jevington trainer Anna Newton-Smith is valiantly holding on to the coat tails of Gary Moore in a bid to become leading trainer at the course this season and she has a number of entries which include recent course winners Portrait Royale and Pomander but she states that Pomander will not run in the chase. One that will run barring accidents is her gelding Pete The Feat who is a horse the trainer believes in but who has proved a little frustrating on the course. She does think he is close to a winning mark if conditions are in his favour. The 2m5f handicap hurdle is one of the races he might run in but that has an entry from Charlie Egerton’s yard which catches the eye. Very Edgy looks to have been allowed a very fair mark and would probably represent a good betting opportunity if he takes his chance.

Jim Best told me he is very unlikely to run any of his entries on Monday unless a significant change in conditions comes about.

Lord Singer from the Gary Moore stable is gradually starting to relax on the racecourse and whilst he is still a little too enthusiastic he was more amenable at Newbury on his last start. If that progress continues he will be very difficult to beat in the 2m handicap hurdle with only himself or the Sheena West trained Screaming Brave looking serious dangers. The West runner will need the ground to dry out significantly to show his true ability and on balance Lord Singer looks the right choice for this race.

The selling hurdle also looks as though it will provide a locally trained winner with Jim Best having two entries which both have good chances he told me last week. Dolans Bay and Geography will have the assistance of improving young riders in a race restricted to conditional jockeys. The chief threat to Jim taking the prize is probably Saddlers Mot from Gary Moore’s yard. These races are obviously low quality and that can make them a little difficult to predict but with Geography being a course and distance winner I will give him a tentative vote.

The novice handicap chase sees local jockey Marc Goldstein, who has been in great form during the second half of the season, renew his partnership with Sumdancer for the Madgwick yard. The 2m1f trip at this track ideally suits the eight year old and should he show his best form whatever beats him will most likely win. Of his rivals probably Star Galaxy and Shes Humble would provide the most potent threat.

In the staying novice handicap chase later on the card we will see another young rider who has caught the eye here at Plumpton during the season. Seven pound claimer Mark Quinlan has had a rough time with injuries but he has shown great promise and the Mulholland yard have recognised this and given him a number of winners. He will ride Hobbs Dream for them over the 3m2f trip here and although the Jevington trainer Anna Newton-Smith will be hoping Quartz De Montceau will give him a good test, conditions look good for Quinlan and Hobbs Dream to record success.

Newton-Smith will be watching course specialist The Hardy Boy closely on his return from a break in the 2m5f handicap chase. She feels he will benefit from the run after sustaining a niggling injury when winning on his last start here. With that knowledge in mind the Charlie Mann trained Prince Louis must be considered a potential winner. Peter Toole has a valuable claim and with Manns excellent record and the horses course and distance winning form this may prove to be the best betting opportunity of the day.

The opening novice hurdle over 2m5f provides a fascinating match between the juvenile Fin Vin De Leu and Secret Stash. Both are interesting prospects for handicaps next season and the extended trip may see Secret Stash come out on top this time. Whatever it is a good contest and worth watching with the future in mind.