TimeformBlog

[b]Deep Pockets[/b] counts last year's success in this race among 3 wins at Plumpton. First run for 8 months here last time should have him spot on and no surprise to see good showing. [b]Sarika[/b] is a dual point winner who has improved over regulation fences this season, winning pair of 3m Exeter handicap chases. Stamina stretched at Wincanton last time and that looks a concern here also. [b]Accumulus[/b] won a 3m hunter at Huntingdon in early-2010 for current yard. Lightly raced since, most of his efforts flat, and reportedly had breathing problem when last seen in May. [b]Flying Award[/b] improved to land back-to-back handicap hurdles in March/April last year and made good start over fences when second at Ffos Las recently. The one to beat off same mark here. [b]Or Sing...

[b]Lupanar[/b] has gone over 3 years since last success and increasingly let down by attitude. This easier than races he's been contesting but still can't be supported with maximum confidence. [b]Deep Pockets[/b] has won 3 times over fences at Plumpton and definite scope off current mark over hurdles judged on Towcester second back in May. Player if ready to go after his break. [b]Storm Survivor[/b] improved when easily landing gamble over 2¾m at Folkestone in November. Inexperience arguably cost him second win on New Year's Day and visored now. Leading claims stepped up in trip. [b]Sapphire Rouge[/b] won 3m Southwell handicap in the summer. Runner-up twice since, and will find this easier than Ascot contest she ran in last time, though no hiding place from current mark. [b]Go...

[b]El Diego[/b] is as good over fences as hurdles, but yet to win over either. Dropped away tamely last time and doesn't look the safest of propositions. [b]Might As Well[/b] is 8 lb below his last winning mark (for another yard). Off over a year and showed a bit more third time up for new stable at Taunton last time and his turn is likely to come again. [b]Sir Winston[/b] is a sketchy jumper who made the frame once again on his reappearance at Fontwell, looking likely winner before weakening badly and fluffing the last. 2 lb lower now and cheekpieces back on. [b]Marias Rock[/b] won at the track and at Ffos Las over fences last season. Shaped well behind pair of well-treated sorts on return at Folkestone and one of the likelier sorts if responding well to tongue tie. [b]Easter...

This afternoon's card at Plumpton is a good one and the most interesting bet looks to be [b]Cinderella Rose[/b] (13:40). Kim Bailey's runner is still only lightly raced, but she possesses a good strike-rate of three wins from seven starts and was fully entitled to have needed her recent return from a year off. Much better can be expected this afternoon and, although she does have to prove herself under softer conditions than previously, the form of her yard is certainly another positive for her. [b]Aquilifer[/b] (14:00) has won four of his six starts at Lingfield and the Elaine Burke-trained runner can further enhance his record with success there this afternoon. A 3 lb rise for last month's victory means there's more required from today's mark, but, although the winning distance was...

[b]Gift of Dg[/b]ab was a useful hurdler, and created good impression when winning maiden at Limerick (barely off bridle) by 17 lengths on chasing debut, making all. Can do better, but this is not easy under a penalty. [b]Invictus[/b] was a fairly useful hurdler (lightly raced), and most impressive after a break when winning novice handicap by 11 lengths at Hereford on chasing debut last month, jumping impeccably. One to follow. [b]Ballinhassig[/b] has been in frame 2 of 5 starts in points last year, but little impact in novice hurdles/chases, and impossible to make a case for in this line-up after a 10-month break. [b]Maringo Bay[/b] was lightly raced over hurdles, winning over this trip in February. Similar form when close third of 3 in novice sole start over fences, and does...

The National Hunt season is now in full swing and it is to Plumpton we head for the first of our selections, where Renee Robeson's [b]Silver Wre[/b]n makes her hurdling debut (13:20) after having had a couple of runs in bumpers last season. This grey daughter of Silver Patriarch showed the benefit of her debut experience when a staying-on third at Market Rasen in April and, being related to Rock Wren, a winner over three miles for the same connections, she is bred to improve for today's longer trip and tackling obstacles. The stable is in form, as showcased by a couple of winners last week and Silver Wren can go well at what are likely to be rewarding odds. Kempton stages the other jumps meeting in the UK today, and the best bet on the card comes in the shape of the David Pipe-trained...