THE PHRASE "You don't know what you've got till it's gone" will ring true for many of us during one point or another, and for all followers, lovers and those who work in this sport, that's never been truer than the past 2 weeks, with only 2 meetings on in the past week, both coming at a truly riveting Cheltenham.
While the card at Plumpton cannot claim to be anywhere near the quality of the International, should it go ahead ', it's got more than its fair share if decent races and is well worth giving a go.
It should be really interesting to watch the aptly named Panbet.com Supports Vote Mccoy Novices' Chase (1.35), with several decent/potentially high class types in attendance. Merdermit can be described by many as the best horse in the race but he banked 3 and brushed through several at Aintree on his debut and was hanging left when refusing at the 6th last time (Huntingdon). He’s far from unbeatable and looks very vulnerable giving away 6lbs to horses like AMERICAN TRILOGY, who was shaping really well in the Elite Hurdle last time and makes a massive amount off appeal based on runs such as his County Hurdle romp or his close second to El Dancer in the Grade 2 Top Novice’s Hurdle straight after. He’s always been a slick jumper and should take well to fences, and rates a massive chance with a run under his belt.
Rackham Lerouge, a half-brother to smart stayer Punchestowns and three times a winner in bumpers, was successful over hurdles at Bangor last season and is an interesting newcomer to fences, although whether race - fitness might cost him is a possibility and he is bred for a trip. Tullamore Dew was brilliant in beating very poor rivals last time but rates a useful horse who I wouldn’t be surprised to see win.
In the Panbet.com Juvenile Hurdle (12.35),Bun Oir in very interesting on his Punchestown second while Balerina can be expected to run miles better than she did first time out, but this isn’t a strenuous opening for COMEDY ACT, an improving stayer when last seen for Sir Mark Prescott on the flat, who should be up to winning this if hurdling well enough.
There’s yet another useful novice contest at 1.05 in the shape of the ‘Panbet.com Plumpton Races Free Bet Today 'national Hunt' Novices' Hurdle’ (rolls off the tongue). Brackloon High, who was clear of the remainder when second to Recession Proof at Lingfield, sets a useful standard but SKINT has only raced and won twice and clearly had so much more to offer when winning well last time. His Wincanton victory was boosted by the subsequent success of runner-up The Reformer and Nicky Henderson's four-year-old rates a major player with a step up in trip not likely to hinder him. On Trend’s defeat of good yardstick Raduis Bleu at Lingfield reads well but not well enough for me to back him, especially as he lack concrete form. That said, he’ll go close.
Recommendations
1.35 Plumpton
4 pts win American Trilogy (or lay of Merdermit for same stake)
12.35 Plumpton
3 pts win Comedy Act
1.05 Plumpton
2 pts win Skint
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