4:37 Plumpton Tips

Headed on the run-in over 2 and a half miles here 2 weeks ago, the drop in trip will suit and Sean Bowen in the saddle is a positive.

Just seven starts over hurdles. Improved form this year, two narrow defeats and a win last time out. He won that 11-runner handicap by a cosy 10L??'good ground like today??'and was a further 8L clear of the third. Higher mark today but going the right way, and he could have more improvement in him.

Had more in hand than the winning margin might suggest last time, and a three-pound rise in the weights might not prevent a follow-up. Two furlongs less to travel today, but the jockey was taking a pull at the distance last time, so the shorter trip shouldn't prove a problem.

Seamus Mullins has his string running well, as demonstrated by his 20% strike rate in the last two weeks. He is represented here by handicap debutant Chartwell Jock, who won four times on the flat for Andrew Balding but has yet to trouble the judge over timber. The four-year-old ran against some good horses in his three qualifying runs and is now dropped several grades for his handicap bow. He should go very close today.

Answer That makes his handicap debut off what could prove a fairly lenient handicap mark. He ran 3rd behind two horses last time over CD that were rated far superior to his current mark. Whilst finishing 18L behind them, he was not given a hard race and was never really put into it. He certainly looks capable of improvement now after gaining more experience with that run two weeks ago. This is a weaker race and he does well at this venue. He looks good each-way value at 12/1.

One at an each-way price. Banksman, a runner on both the flat and the jumps, had been running at some tougher tracks prior to today. If Sheena West has him ready, it could well be worth an each-way play at 20/1.

Respectable efforts the last twice without threatening. Alibey was sent off second in the market at Stratford last time, not settling. This represents a drop in grade. Different jockey in the saddle, and the sire has good course stats.