Racecards
13:40 Plumpton
Racing Post Juvenile Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £7,500 added
- Form 731
- Age 4
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey A P McCoy
tracked leaders, headway after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out and led, kept on
Artadi (FR)
80- Form 430P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leading pair soon after, weakened 2 out
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out
- Form 4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey S P Jones
held up, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
Maximix
70- Form F5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
keen and soon clear, hit 4th and 5th, virtually pulled up and lost clear advantage approaching 4 out, soon headed, no chance after
- Form 3
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey T Doyle
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed and one pace
In depth
Verdict
French import Artadi would not need to be anything out of the ordinary to get his UK career off to a flyer; Maxmix and Malakiya rate as the biggest threats from the rest. Malakiya won as he liked at Stratford nine days ago - posting a much more accomplished round of jumping. He is going the right way but will need to be at the top of his game to cope with his penalty today. AP McCoy is sure to give him every assistance from the saddle and a bold bid looks on the cards. Maxmix was in front of Malakiya when they met at Fakenham in December and has a live chance of upholding the form on these terms. The Gary Moore-trained gelding looks the pick of the stable's runners and after what was a sparkling weekend for the Sussex-based trainer this fellow cannot be ruled out. However, the pick of Artadi's French form has a more solid look to it and, with his ability to handle the ground assured, this half-brother to the useful Vol Solitare looks the one to be on in Plumpton's opener.
Formwatch
Malakiya (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led 6th, drew clear approaching bypassed 2 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs beating Mrs Moneybags (10-0) by 14l, 11 ran.
Artadi (FR) (10-1) Weakened soon after halfway pulled up in race won by Parrain (10-3) at Enghien 2m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Earl Kraul (IRE) 3-1fav (8-8) Steady start, keen, held up in rear, headway and switched right over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Play Up Pompey (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Leonardo's Friend 25-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, ridden jumped slowly and lost place 6th, rallied and kept on one pace for 2 out, 4th of 8, 18l behind Mobaasher (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Maximix 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 14, 35l behind Prince Ary (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Signs of Love (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, gradually weakened, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Silver Jaro (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.