15:10 Plumpton

Monday 18 December 2023

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:14 | Winning time: 5m 13.84s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Sir Rock³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 93

9/4

Irish point winner who made all over hurdles at Fontwell (21.7f) in May. Refused to race there on his return but got back on track with two solid efforts at Stratford and Huntingdon since. Not discounted now going chasing.

Form: 2P-1R35

Who Is That²¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 89| D

16/1

Scored at Fontwell in April and running well when fell 3 out in handicap chase at Worcester (20f, good to soft) following month. Off 7 months but still very much one to consider.

Form: 212P1-F

Methusalar^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 87| BF| D

11/2

Hurdles winner for Alan King (at 19.5f) in spring 2022 and has got back on track of late since switched to fences, still to be asked for his effort when unseating rider 2 out at Sedgefield last month. Player.

Form: 1-0P46U

Brown Bullet^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: James Best| T: A Irvine| OR: 84| C

16/1

Off 6 months/cheekpieces on for 1st time when sixth of 7 in handicap hurdle (13/2) at Fontwell (19.2f, soft) 29 days ago. Switches to fences and no forlorn hope.

Form: 3130-56

Boys Of Wexford²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 83| D

14/1

A fair 2m4f winner at his best but yet to hit top form this term, only fourth of 7 in handicap chase at Ffos Las (19.4f, heavy, 8/1) 26 days ago. Needs to step forward.

Form: 1233-P4

West Orchard^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 83| CD

5/1

C&D winner. 9/2, pulled up in handicap chase at Ludlow (23.8f, soft) 21 days ago though and he's an ureliable individual on the whole.

Form: 4-F261P

Eurkash^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber| OR: 80

9/1

Went backwards from a tough race on his reappearance when fourth of 6 in handicap chase at Southwell (24.3f, heavy) 20 days ago. It's now 13 starts since his last success too.

Form: 53F3-24

Elpologreg²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 87

33/1

Made a low-key start to his chasing career when a well-held fourth of 5 in handicap chase (25/1) at Fakenham (21.2f, good to soft) on debut over fences 27 days ago. Needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 09-3594

Shaw's Cross^p¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: A Irvine| OR: 79| C

7/1

Veteran gained his first success over fences at Plumpton (17f) for Paul Henderson in January. Not disgraced when in the frame in handicaps at Fakenham and Lingfield for his new yard this term. Can go well again.

Form: 4425-34

Cobbs Corner¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 73| BF| D

11/1

Handicap hurdle winner last autumn. Made an encouraging start in this sphere when fourth of 10 at Hereford on return. Badly hampered and unseated rider 8th there since so he's well worth another chance.

Form: 182P-4U

Noah's Light^t,v²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 73| D

16/1

Arrives below par, visored for 1st time when sixth of 12 in handicap chase (33/1) at Hereford (20.9f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: PV46P6

Forecasts

Sir Rock (9/4), West Orchard (5/1), Methusalar (11/2), Shaw's Cross (7/1), Eurkash (9/1), Cobbs Corner (11/1), Boys Of Wexford (14/1), Brown Bullet (16/1), Noah's Light (16/1), Who Is That (16/1), Elpologreg (33/1)

METHUSALAR has found his form again since switched to the larger obstacles so is worth siding with to gain compensation for his late Sedgefield fall last time out. Who Is That has an absence to overcome but ended last term in very good nick so still rates a big threat for Chris Gordon. Chasing-newcomer Sir Rock, veteran Shaw's Cross and the less exposed Cobbs Corner all need factoring into this open contest too.