Racecards
15:20 Plumpton
John Smiths Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Maninga
32- Form P-50040
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Mrs L Richards
- Jockey Mr J E Moore
led to 9th, mistake and weakened after 3 out
- Form 3P06F3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
prominent, mistake 5th, soon lost place, well behind from 9th, tailed off
- Form 45P23P
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
always behind, driven along from 8th, tailed off
Mrs Pickles
11- Form 422134
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer M Usher
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
pulled up, behind and never going well, ridden along after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
- Form 560-551
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey N Williamson
prominent, joined leader, led 9th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened rapidly and eased before next (lost shoe)
- Form 60-6350
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer T McGovern
- Jockey C Murray
chased leader to 4th, still every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Cullian
28- Form 504-1P0
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Mrs N Smith
- Jockey L P Aspell
in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to challenge last, soon led, ran on well
- Form P/2F-240
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer D Keane
- Jockey Dave Crosse
prominent, led 3 out, soon clear, mistake 2 out, driven and joined last, soon headed, weakened flat and lost 2nd near finish
- Form 0-55601
- Age 6
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer C Morlock
- Jockey Mr James Davies
in mid-division, ridden after 7th, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, took second near finish
Magical Day
14- Form 224221
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer W Turner
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up, headway from 9th, chased clear leader 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly before next
- Form 0404-4F
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer R Rowe
- Jockey Mr D H Dunsdon
held up in touch, hampered and lost place bend after 8th, one pace under pressure from 3 out, never able to challenge
Saga Royale (FR)
331- Form 6/40004-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer D O'Brien
- Jockey Mr S Walsh
soon ridden along in rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, chased leader briefly 2 out, weakened before last
In depth
Verdict
A fairly competitive event featuring a number of in-form hurdlers in opposition and this should provide a strong betting heat. Angel Delight showed little in novice events but showed improved form off a low mark on her handicap debut to score readily at Kempton earlier in the month. However, the Venetia Williams-trained mare has been raised 10lb since and will find this tougher off her current mark. Graceful Dancer appreciated the step up to three miles when getting her head in front at Taunton last time. She holds the third-placed Lady Turk on that form but looks vulnerable back in trip while recent Hereford claiming winner Magical Day is set to struggle back in handicap company. Lady Turk is worthy of consideration after a promising effort last time but the vote goes to Mrs Pickles. Mark Usher's mare was a most decisive winner at Chepstow last month and appeared to lack for stamina over three miles in testing conditions last time. Back over a more suitable trip and off a fair mark, the eight-year-old can resume winning ways under her useful conditional jockey.