December 20 / 15.35 Plumpton

15.35

Good To Soft

Buy The Plumpton History Book Now! Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 2 Elimination) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £2722.46
  • 2m 1f 164y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Buy The Plumpton History Book Now! Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 2 Elimination) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: NH Flat

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.73
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to very smart chaser Sky Pirate; won slow-ground Irish point by 8l on debut in February and has joined a top stable for his rules career; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Captain Teague

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has perhaps needed his two runs since a lengthy layoff, sixth to Fiercely Proud at Ascot latest; may be ready to hit top form and accordingly looks interesting off current mark when considering his back class (Grade 1 novice winner over 2m4f in December 2023).

20/1

6th

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Captain Teague

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Seemed to need latest run when back from a lengthy layoff; interesting off current mark assuming he's still capable of peak form, which includes a success in the 2023 Challow on soft ground.

5/1

2

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Windsor

Captain Teague

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Absent since finishing lame at Newbury in November 2024, truncating a novice chase campaign; smart previously and has Grade 1 form, including a success in the Challow (2m4f, soft) as a novice hurdler; 2-4 in this sphere; on a workable mark provided he retains ability.

14/1

25/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£18,000 3yo; sixth foal; half-brother to two French Flat winners; dam also a French Flat winner; trainer does well in bumpers but riding arrangements suggest Goodwin Racing is the stable's main hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

11st 3lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Two wins last season, the latter when holding on gamely in 16-runner handicap on New course here (2m1f, good) in April; needs another career-best performance today but still enters calculations.

5/1

1st

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

17:00 Cheltenham

King William Rufus

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Chris Gordon

Ascot winner in December off 7lb lower (1m7f, good to soft); this represents a welcome drop in grade after contesting two high-profile handicaps and he's not out of it.

8/1

9/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3

Last run: 227 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut in March and third in what has turned out to be a fairly good Haydock bumper (good to soft) on rules debut in May; not seen again since but has each-way claims at least here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

15:40 Fontwell

Duhallow Tommy

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Four chase wins, the latest from the front off reduced mark at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in February; just a respectable third of five at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month but could be hard to catch if able to dominate here.

5/4

3rd

4

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:15 Wincanton

Duhallow Tommy

11st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Showed the benefit of a wind op when making all to exploit reduced mark at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) last month; went back up 8lb for that but this right-handed track should also suit; likely contender.

11/4

Form: 3/

Last run: 640 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left behind by two very useful rivals but still made promising debut when third at Kempton (good) in March 2021; absent since but needs to be taken very seriously here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

Goodwin Racing

11st 7lb

J: Mr Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

prominent, not fluent 7th, shaken up and lost ground after 8th, headway and pressed leaders 2 out, not fluent when disputed lead last, soon ridden and faced challenge, led narrowly towards finish, all out

5/1

1st

5

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

15:30 Fontwell

Goodwin Racing

11st 7lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

raced in second, soon clear with one other, ridden on turn before 2 out, led inside final 110yds, ran on

11/2

2nd

5

30th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

13:30 Plumpton

Goodwin Racing

11st 10lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Chris Gordon

Left behind by two very useful rivals but still made promising debut at Kempton (good) in March 2021, and returned from long absence with another encouraging bumper run last month; should have a future over jumps.

4/1

Form: 3

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made promising debut when keeping-on third of 13 at Chepstow (good to soft) last month and ought to play a significant role here too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

24th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

15:12 Perth

He Knows Better

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Went up 5lb for beating an exposed rival at Southwell (2m4f, soft; fine on good to soft) but he still ran well in a Class 3 at Newbury (2m6f) that didn't go entirely like clockwork; he could yet raise his bar higher; much respected.

3/1

3rd

4

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 3

14:30 Newbury

He Knows Better

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

An improving chaser who did well to overcome a late mistake and get up at Southwell (2m4f, soft; fine on good to soft); he is 5lb higher for beating an exposed rival that day and this represents a harder assignment; still commands considerable respect.

11/4

1st

4

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

14:55 Southwell

He Knows Better

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Fontwell maiden hurdle winner in May 2024 who's been competitive since handicapping over fences this term, bang there when coming down two out at Haydock (2m4f) in December before finishing runner-up in staying chases at Huntingdon and Warwick (all good to soft); drop back in trip probably no bother and he's a firm contender once more.

7/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Horse

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal; dam useful bumper/hurdle winner, half-sister to a French cross-country chase winner; will probably need to be quite useful to make a winning debut here but stable has healthy bumper strike-rate (11%).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

20th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield

First Offence

11st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Out of a useful bumper/hurdle winner for his owner but he's been beaten 31l or more in two bumpers this winter; this step up in trip should help but he needs a transformation on his hurdling debut.

66/1

10th

4

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:35 Fontwell

First Offence

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Out of a useful bumper/hurdle winner for his owner but made low-key debut when well-held sixth at Plumpton (soft; about 25l behind Duhallow Tommy) last month.

25/1

6th

5

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 164y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

First Offence

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

midfield, pushed along early

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a useful Irish hurdler/chaser; placed in good-ground Irish point in debut in May and bought for 40,000gns soon afterwards; interesting to see how she fares on today's rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

14:50 Ludlow

Batwomen

11st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Both wins over hurdles came at Fontwell; having just her second go over fences when solid sixth in well-contested mares' handicap at Cheltenham (about 2m4f, good to soft) in December; disappointed at Huntingdon over further next time but had wind surgery shortly afterwards and might be worth another chance dropped back in trip.

4/1

3rd

1

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:05 Huntingdon

Batwomen

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Almost denied Easy To Follow in a heavy-ground hurdle once, but best figures win or lose have been returned on no worse than the good to soft of last month's tidy 5l sixth in a Cheltenham mares' 0-125; still early days for her as a chaser, appears to jump fine and holds strong claims.

5/4

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
50,000euros 3yo; third foal; half-brother to a fair 6f winner; dam placed in a bumper, half-sister to a German 1m Group 2 winner Royal Power; well worth a glance in the betting.
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:

Last run:

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
First foal; dam useful bumper/hurdle winner, out of unraced half-sister to a very smart French hurdler/chaser; makes debut in a competitive race against males but stable has very good bumper strike-rate (23%); tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 164y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Starship Mona

10st 7lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

towards rear

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
First reported foal; dam unplaced in bumpers/hurdles, half-sister to bumper/hurdle winner Sir Boreas Hawk; probably best watched on today's debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

14:30 Fontwell

Lucky Mac

11st 5lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Andy Irvine

in rear, pushed along before 4th, struggling and reminders after 4th

150/1

11th

10

31st Dec 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:20 Warwick

Lucky Mac

11st 2lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Andy Irvine

Struggled to get competitive when a big-priced outsider for recent debut at Plumpton (soft).

100/1

10th

9

20th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 1f 164y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Lucky Mac

11st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Andy Irvine

always towards rear

100/1

Form: 605-

Last run: 295 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten at triple-digit odds on all three appearances last season; can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:47 Fontwell

Engaging Sam

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Paddy Butler

Well beaten in all three hurdle races this season and now 0-12 in that sphere; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor on this chasing debut; 4lb out of the weights; difficult to enthuse over.

25/1

7th

8

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:45 Plumpton

Engaging Sam

10st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Paddy Butler

Suffered two heavy defeats since returning from a break late last year and hopes pinned on this longer trip bringing about some marked improvement.

50/1

Form:

Last run: 52 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful jumpers Jepeck and Western Jo; not beaten far when 11th of 12 at Ascot (good) in October but never really looked likely to land a telling blow there.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

14:23 Plumpton

Bar Thyme

11st 6lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Minor form in bumpers and now clearly flattered by his debut effort at Ascot when under 9l off the winner; others preferred.

25/1

6th

2

2nd Mar 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:35 Taunton

Bar Thyme

11st 2lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

took keen hold, prominent, pushed along 6f out, weakened from 4f out

12/1

4th

1

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

15:50 Exeter

Bar Thyme

11st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Seamus Mullins

Half-brother to useful jumpers Jepeck and Western Jo; not beaten far when 11th of 12 at Ascot (good) in October but never really looked likely to land a telling blow there.

8/1

Form: 00-

Last run: 276 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well down the field on her two starts last season and not the obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:05 Lingfield

Madam May

11st 3lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Laura Mongan

Modest form on all three starts in bumpers and dropped right out on her 2m4f hurdle debut (125-1) at Huntingdon in May; hood fitted but all to prove for now.

100/1

5th

6

11th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

13:40 Huntingdon

Madam May

10st 11lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Laura Mongan

sweating, took keen hold, disputed lead at slow pace, mistake 1st, led 2nd, soon went clear, not fluent 5th, much reduced lead 6th, headed after 7th, lost position and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off

50/1

7th

8

26th Feb 2023

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:30 Fontwell

Madam May

11st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Laura Mongan

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, pushed along and lost ground over 5f out, soon got well behind

100/1

Non-runners

Bar Thyme, Madam May

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.20
Straight Forecast £13.69
Trifecta £67.80

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Captain Teague

RP Ratings:

He Knows Better

The Guardian:

Starship Mona

SPOTLIGHT:

Goodwin Racing

POSTDATA:

He Knows Better

LAMBOURN:

He Knows Better

The Times:

Captain Teague

Telegraph:

Captain Teague

Daily Mail:

Captain Teague

D Express:

Captain Teague

Daily Mirror:

Captain Teague

The Sun:

Captain Teague

The Star:

Captain Teague

Daily Record:

Captain Teague