Racecards
14:20 Plumpton
Carlsberg Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £7,000 added
- Form 2FP-323
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
led 2nd, made rest, in command 3 out, common canter
Victree (IRE)
621- Form 0/44-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer L Wells
- Jockey L P Aspell
disputed 2nd, blundered 2nd and 5th, went definite 2nd and hit 4 out, no chance with winner after
- Form 121/7-77
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer R Curtis
- Jockey Charlie Studd
led to 2nd, disputed 2nd after until ridden before 8th and soon outpaced, tailed off 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Just the three runners for this opener and it looks an easy task for Juveigner, Victree should be the one to chase him home. Nicky Henderson's ten-year-old is a top class chaser rated at 147 following some superb efforts last season. He had a spin over hurdles back in November when third to Massini's Maguire and a repeat of that effort should be good enough against these two opponents. Victree ran well in a couple of bumpers before running modestly on his hurdles debut. He needs to step up on that performance to trouble the favourite this afternoon. Miss Sallyfield has shown nothing in a hurdle and chase and looks booked for third place. So in what is just a warnm up for a run at the festival, Juveigneur is a confident selection.
Formwatch
Juveigneur (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, progress to be in touch from 5th, pressed leaders from 5 out until stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 10l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Victree (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up, reminders after 4th, headway when mistake 6th, weakened after 9th, hampered 3 out, 4th of 14, 33l behind Caspers Case (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (E) gd in Jun '05.
Miss Sallyfield (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Led, headed 3rd, jumped right, weakened 5th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Shatabdi (10-7) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.