March 10 / 15.00 Plumpton

15.00

Good

Celebrating Sussex Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 3f 164y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Celebrating Sussex Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 1-374

Last run: 27 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner on slow ground; yet to build on a promising hurdle debut but connections wasting no time getting her over fences and she makes her handicap debut at a modest level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

15th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 3

18:55 Aintree

Taxus Baccata

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Has improved since undergoing wind surgery for her new trainer this year and went back-to-back at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) and Wincanton (3m1f, good); last run was too bad to be true but she did go up 7lb for that last win in a race that fell apart.

10/1

3rd

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

16:17 Huntingdon

Taxus Baccata

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won a bumper and over fences for Matt Crawley last season but has improved since undergoing wind surgery for her new trainer this year; appreciated the step up in trip when winning for the second time in succession at Wincanton (3m1f, good) 12 days ago; up 7lb but should be hard to beat.

5/4

1st

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

16:22 Wincanton

Taxus Baccata

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Built upon a satisfactory stable debut when scoring by a neck at Leicester (2m4f, good to soft) this month and is now 2-7 over fences; only 2lb higher here and will be suited by the faster ground; strong claims if stamina holds out over the new trip.

6/4

13/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 6-8435 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Course winner over hurdles; he hasn't run badly in two chase starts this year but more will be needed for him to come out on top.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

31st Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

16:45 Wincanton

Birdman Bob

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Andy Irvine

in rear, not fluent 4th

11/2

33/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 46-PP8

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Little in the way of solid form and today's change of headgear isn't enough to tempt; 7lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:17 Fontwell

Elzaaro

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

prominent, in touch with leaders from 6th, headway 4 out, left in third 3 out, lost position approaching last, weakened final 110yds

16/1

5th

10

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:17 Fontwell

Elzaaro

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Karen Jewell

prominent, in touch with leaders from 6th, headway 4 out, left in third 3 out, lost position approaching last, weakened final 110yds

16/1

3rd

9

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Elzaaro

10st 2lb

J: Marc Goldstein

T: Karen Jewell

Little in the way of solid form and today's change of headgear isn't enough to tempt; 7lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form: 545344

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap hurdle at Fontwell in December 2019 but that is his only success from 40 starts; chance on last winter's best but he hasn't got going this time around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

11th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Clondaw Robin

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

led, not fluent 2 out, headed just before last, soon no extra

13/2

2nd

4

11th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Clondaw Robin

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

led, not fluent 2 out, headed just before last, soon no extra

13/2

4th

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 214y

Class 5

13:55 Plumpton

Clondaw Robin

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

led, headed before 5th, lost ground 7th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off

12/1

Form: P65143

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Off the mark with an easy win at Huntingdon in January (2m, good to soft); another good run at that track 18 days ago, making the running and jumping the last in front but tiring on the run-in, passed by Pescatorius in the final 100yds; should run well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

JHabite En France

11st 2lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Ben Case

Off the mark with an easy win at Huntingdon in January (2m, good to soft); another good run at that track 18 days ago, making the running and jumping the last in front but tiring on the run-in, passed by Pescatorius in the final 100yds; should run well again.

3/1

3rd

4

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

14:15 Huntingdon

JHabite En France

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Ben Case

Went up 10lb for winning over 2m here in January and never really threatened to follow up at Market Rasen (can be inconsistent); even if back on song he might be on a tough mark; probably stays this far.

5/1

4th

6

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

12:50 Market Rasen

JHabite En France

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Ben Case

midfield

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 77-446

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Yet to fire over fences but his best hurdle efforts would make him of interest off his reduced mark; better ground could help, as could blinkers, and he's one to watch in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Celtic Ned

11st 9lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Yet to fire over fences but his best hurdle efforts would make him of interest off his reduced mark; better ground could help, as could blinkers, and he's one to watch in the market.

4/1

6th

2

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Celtic Ned

11st 10lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Soundly beaten in the autumn on his two chase starts but didn't run badly when fourth of six at Wincanton last time in a race that has worked out well; this lightly raced 7yo is on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form and today's race may not take much winning; interesting.

5/1

4th

1

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Celtic Ned

12st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

raced in fourth, lost position but in touch with leaders from 5th, headway 13th, went third 4 out, weakened before 2 out

9/2

Form: 771U42

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
On the up over fences, winning at Catterick in December (near 2m, good) and just missing out at Huntingdon 18 days ago (2m4f, good to soft); just 1lb higher today and he's a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Warwick

Pescatorius

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Rob Summers

Left Olly Murphy for 5,500gns and pretty much tailed off in four handicap chases since.

25/1

5th

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

15:43 Stratford

Pescatorius

11st 9lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

Won twice for Olly Murphy in the autumn and subsequently sold for 5,500gns; hasn't been in the same form in three runs for his current trainer; cheekpieces worn on his last three starts are dispensed with on this step up in trip; still has time on his side but all of a sudden has a bit to prove.

8/1

3rd

8

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:20 Stratford

Pescatorius

10st 7lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Rob Summers

In good form for Olly Murphy in the autumn, winning in blinkers at Sedgefield (3m2f, good to firm) and Market Rasen (2m5f, good to soft), but soundly beaten in cheekpieces (retained) at Warwick for new stable twice since and now has a point to prove.

25/1

Form: P5-537

Last run: 90 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Hasn't lived up to market expectations since switched to handicap hurdles; not bred for fences but he must be thought capable of better and this isn't strong; cheekpieces tried after one run in blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Spicy Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Hasn't lived up to market expectations since switched to handicap hurdles; not bred for fences but he must be thought capable of better and this isn't strong; cheekpieces tried after one run in blinkers.

10/1

7th

11

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Spicy Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Yet to play a serious part in four handicaps, despite being a short price for the latest two; interesting to see if his supporters keep the faith now blinkers are added; 8lb wrong.

8/1

7th

11

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Spicy Nelson

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Yet to play a serious part in four handicaps, despite being a short price for the latest two; interesting to see if his supporters keep the faith now blinkers are added; 8lb wrong.

8/1

Form: 66/7P8

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
His only placing in 27 starts came in an AW handicap in September 2017; poor form since returning from a mammoth absence in October and makes his chase debut at the age of 13; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

27th Mar 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:57 Warwick

The Last Melon

10st 5lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: James Bennett

No worthwhile form over fences and hurdles since returning from a long absence; a 13yo now.

100/1

8

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

The Last Melon

10st 2lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: James Bennett

His only placing in 27 starts came in an AW handicap in September 2017; poor form since returning from a mammoth absence in October and makes his chase debut at the age of 13; can't be recommended.

100/1

8th

9

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

12:40 Huntingdon

The Last Melon

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: James Bennett

Teenager with 0-26 strike-rate under all codes; pulled up when 100-1 for handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in December and can't be recommended here; 4lb out of the weights.

50/1

Form: -P4PP7

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Unplaced in all ten starts and hard to recommend from out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Cant Buy Time

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

Unplaced in all ten starts and hard to recommend from out of the weights.

66/1

7th

12

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

13:10 Huntingdon

Cant Buy Time

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

Has a modest completion record and unconvincing form when getting round; opposed.

40/1

7th

12

6th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

13:10 Huntingdon

Cant Buy Time

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Cynthia Woods

Has a modest completion record and unconvincing form when getting round; opposed.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.40
Straight Forecast £33.47
Tricast £393.60
Trifecta £307.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Pescatorius

Daily Mail:

J'Habite En France

D Express:

Celtic Ned

RP RATINGS:

Pescatorius

POSTDATA:

Pescatorius

The Times:

Pescatorius

Telegraph:

Pescatorius

The Guardian:

Pescatorius

Daily Mirror:

Pescatorius

The Sun:

Pescatorius

Daily Record:

Pescatorius

The Star:

J'Habite En France