Racecards
14:10 Plumpton
Plumpton Racecourse 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 15312-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 122
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, mistake 3 out, no impression when lost 2nd next, weakened
- Form 13/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M Pitman
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
mostly tracked leader, led 6th, hit 8th, in command from 2 out, pushed out and held out run-in
Ballybean (IRE)
576- Form R1/
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey J P McNamara
held up in rear, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Ballykiln (IRE)
232- Form 22-
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey S Thomas
always behind, lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
- Form 547P-8
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss A M Newton-Smith
- Jockey M Batchelor
led to 6th, chased winner until hit next, weakened before 9th
- Form 9/89-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey Dave Crosse
keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
- Form 5/351-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
close up, tracked leading pair 3 out, chased winner 2 out, driven and kept on under pressure, run-in
Walter (IRE)
289- Form 77-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Winkworth
- Jockey P Hide
keen hold early, hit 1st and 2nd, tracked leaders, hit 5th, effort before 9th, outpaced at 3 out
- Form 350-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
held up in rear, brief effort under pressure from 9th, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
Dancing Rock, Ask The Gatherer and Ballykiln can fight out the finish here and preference is for the first named. The Phillip Hobbs trained seven-year-old has shown plenty of ability in all five races to date and ended last season with a fine second to Bowleaze at Newbury. He does have to give weight away all round but if fit should be up to the task. Ask The Gatherer hasn't raced for almost two years but is from a yard that is flying at the moment so any market move should be heeded. Ballykiln looks the pick of the two Henrietta Knight runners. He is very well related and has shown plenty of promise in point to points. The Tom George trained Just For Now looks the pick of the others, but Dancing Rock is expected to give weight and a beating to these rivals.
Formwatch
Dancing Rock 7-1 (11-8) In touch, ridden from 4 out, led briefly 2 out, every chance last, not quicken, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Bowleaze (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Ask The Gatherer (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Big Moment (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in Dec '03.
Ballybean (IRE) Simply Great gelding out of a once-raced mare.
Ballykiln (IRE) (11-7) 2nd of 11, 4l behind Oran Flyer (11-7) at Thurles Points 3m mdn stk gf in Mar.
English Jim (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 8th, soon tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
Great Benefit (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 32l behind Fleetwood Forest (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Just For Now (IRE) 8-11fav (12-0) Won at Point To Point 3m ptp gd in Apr beating Run Four (12-0) by 15l, 10 ran.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Mid-division until 4f out, 17th of 21, 48l behind Hi Humpfree (11-1) at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.