Racecards
14:20 Plumpton
Vantis Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Soft (Chase - Good to Soft, Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 209235
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey W P Kavanagh
led to 5th, chased leader to before 4 out, stayed on same pace
- Form 1224
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
raced on inside, in touch, not fluent 8th, struggling before next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
- Form 31628
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer H J L Dunlop
- Jockey A P McCoy
not fluent, tracked leaders, led, jumped left 5th, not fluent next, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, beaten
- Form 6/0PPF
- Age 7
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer C P Morlock
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
in touch to 5th, mistake 6th, struggling, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form 97/206
- Age 10
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 100
in touch, hit 8th, soon struggling, left poor 4th 4 out, tailed off
Surely Keen
69- Form 70
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Mrs L C Jewell
- Jockey C Messenger
chased leaders, weakened quickly 8th, continued, tailed off
- Form P-000P
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer L Wells
- Jockey J Pemberton
always struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
- Form 122
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, led before 4 out, ridden clear after next, stayed on well
- Form 06
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 8th
In depth
Verdict
How's Business can score in the opening contest at Plumpton; in which I Have Dreamed and Swordsman are taken as the biggest threats amongst the rest. That said, Lysander's Quest is capable under both codes of racing and he could also have a say if there is not too much give underfoot. Swordsman makes his second start for his new yard and will benefit from the assistance of Tony McCoy doing the steering. He has previously held his own against a fair calibre of opponent, so can play a strong part in this company. I Have Dreamed was useful on the Flat for Terry Mills and has subsequently adapted well to racing over timber. He seems to be going the right way and will be on the premises if his stamina holds out. However, How's Business has shaped as if this sort of distance will bring the best out of her and she gets the nod on this occasion. Charlie Mann's filly likes to make the running and, with no other obvious pace-setter in the line up, she may well have the run of the race at a very early stage. She also has a solid chance on the terms of the race, as the 7lb fillies allowance combines nicely with a weight-for-age allowance to give How's Business a very attractive racing weight today.
Formwatch
Forest Silver 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 8th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 14, 18l behind Georgian King (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, under pressure approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 29l behind Working Title (11-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Swordsman (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Led until 2 out, weakened between last 2, 8th of 17, 7l behind Majaales (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Delightful Touch (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Behind when fell at the 4th in race won by Oscar Bay (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, no impression, 6th of 16, 23l behind Cave of The Giant (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Surely Keen 100-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off 7th, 12th of 14, well behind Inghwung (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
War Zone (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 6th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Hinton Thunderbolt (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
How's Business 7-2 (10-12) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Metaphoric (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Homespun Magic 100-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, tailed off 9th, 6th of 8, well behind Otarie (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Feb.