December 18 / 15.10 Plumpton

15.10

Good To Soft

Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 2m 3f 164y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.60

Form: P-1R35

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Blotted copybook when refusing to race in October but has posted two pretty good efforts over hurdles since (2m6f/2m4f, good), and this winning Irish pointer could easily have more to offer now switched to chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 5

15:50 Warwick

Sir Rock

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Toby Lawes

A three-time winner over fences and yet has shown nothing in his last three chase starts; has won over hurdles but returns from a break with much to prove.

10/1

2

9th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:40 Southwell

Sir Rock

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Made it 3-9 over fences with a ready success over 3m2f at Fontwell; up 6lb but has been competitive off higher marks in the past.

11/4

1st

2

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Sir Rock

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

Won back-to-back handicaps two winters ago, over 2m3f at Plumpton and 2m5f here; goes well on softer but the ground was good when not beaten far over 2m5f here last time; there are some stamina reservations over this far.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 425-34 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with two very respectable runs for new trainer last month (2m5f/2m) and is now 4lb lower than when winning here (2m1f, good to soft) for Paul Henderson in January; each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Runner-up at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) in December and respectable fourth in his last two runs but this 13yo is now 1-24 over fences and that win was over two years ago; down the list.

7/1

4th

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Veteran who scored over hurdles here (heavy) in 2019 and broke a long losing run two years ago over fences at Plumpton; no joy since but, even though he's 2lb out of the weights today, he's regularly shown enough to be given a place chance.

16/1

4th

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:48 Lingfield

Shaws Cross

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

Veteran who scored over hurdles here (heavy) in 2019 and broke a long losing run two years ago over fences at Plumpton; no joy since but, even though he's 2lb out of the weights today, he's regularly shown enough to be given a place chance.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 130-56 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Struggled in two chases in late 2021 and has raced exclusively over hurdles since; scored off 5lb higher mark here (2m, soft) in March and might have needed last month's reappearance run but still looks risky on this switch back to fences; usual hood removed; cheekpieces remain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

7th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 4

15:25 Plumpton

Brown Bullet

10st 2lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Andy Irvine

Three-time hurdle winner who is rated lower over fences after struggling in her first two attempts in late 2021; however, she gave it a right go on returning to this discipline over C&D three weeks ago when conceding the lead only late on (Shaw's Cross runner-up); this is a higher grade but she is entitled to a second look.

13/2

3rd

4

18th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Brown Bullet

11st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Andy Irvine

Struggled in two chases in late 2021 and has raced exclusively over hurdles since; scored off 5lb higher mark here (2m, soft) in March and might have needed last month's reappearance run but still looks risky on this switch back to fences; usual hood removed; cheekpieces remain.

10/1

Form: 3F3-24

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Went down fighting when close second at Warwick (2m4f, soft) last month, after a break, and can be excused for finding 3m on heavy ground too taxing last time (first run in cheekpieces); however he remains without a win since 2020 and others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

8th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Eurkash

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Defied a 12lb higher mark in 2020 for previous stable; best efforts for new yard when solid second over C&D in September/October; could well go one better, provided he takes to new headgear.

5/2

6

8th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

15:10 Fontwell

Eurkash

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Defied a 12lb higher mark in 2020 for previous stable; best efforts for new yard when solid second over C&D in September/October; could well go one better, provided he takes to new headgear.

5/2

2nd

7

23rd Oct 2024

Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Eurkash

10st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

led, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last

7/2

Form: 82P-4B D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won off today's mark over hurdles at Fakenham (2m4f, good) in October 2022; made quite promising seasonal/chase debut at Hereford (2m, good) last month but was not travelling well when brought down at Hereford 19 days ago and his overall record is not compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

29th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 214y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Cobbs Corner

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, lost touch 2 out, tailed off

8/1

5th

10

18th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Cobbs Corner

10st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Won off today's mark over hurdles at Fakenham (2m4f, good) in October 2022; made quite promising seasonal/chase debut at Hereford (2m, good) last month but was not travelling well when brought down at Hereford 19 days ago and his overall record is not compelling.

6/1

0

11

29th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

13:25 Hereford

Cobbs Corner

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Just 1-10 over hurdles but made a quite promising seasonal/chase debut when fourth over C&D (good) this month and can pose a potent threat if that outing has brought him on; 1lb out of the weights.

5/1

Form: -0P46U D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Made quite promising stable/chase debut in September and, following a lesser effort, was stalking the leaders before coming to grief at penultimate fence at Sedgefield (2m3f, soft) three weeks ago; remains on a very good mark and must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:27 Perth

Methusalar

10st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

10/1

5th

8

29th May 2024

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

19:50 Cartmel

Methusalar

10st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

Became disappointing for Alan King and is yet to be placed for current stable; took step back in right direction and ran well for a long way before fading into sixth over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f, good; first-time cheekpieces) this month but still makes only limited appeal.

8/1

Form: PV46P6 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner in Ireland in November 2021 but very disappointing for this stable since and the first-time visor seemed to have only a mildly positive effect four weeks ago; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:40 Plumpton

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Won off a lowly mark at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) in summer 2024, but his form this spring was not particularly inspiring and he's 8lb out of the weights on this first appearance in five months.

20/1

5th

9

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Richenda Ford

Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last summer and ended last season with two fairly respectable runs, latterly when sixth in C&D race won by Millies Mite one month ago, but is out of the weights again today.

20/1

5th

9

25th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

16:43 Fontwell

Noahs Light

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Richenda Ford

Won at Newton Abbot (2m5f, good to soft) last summer and ended last season with two fairly respectable runs, latterly when sixth in C&D race won by Millies Mite one month ago, but is out of the weights again today.

20/1

Form: 12P1-F D

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
3-10 over fences, the latest win gained at Fontwell (2m3f, good) in April; that form has been very well advertised by the close second since, but this one hasn't been seen since he fell at Worcester in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 164y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Who Is That

10st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won three times over fences last season and the latest was off 6lb higher; however, has something to prove now having been off colour in both disciplines since returning from a lengthy break.

25/1

5th

10

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 1f 164y

Class 5

16:45 Plumpton

Who Is That

10st 8lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Won three times over fences last season and the latest was off 6lb higher; however, has something to prove now having been off colour in both disciplines since returning from a lengthy break.

25/1

0

12

22nd Jan 2024

Good

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:55 Plumpton

Who Is That

10st 11lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Chris Gordon

Did well over fences last season, winning three times; below form here last month, after a layoff, but might have needed that outing and usual cheekpieces are refitted for this bid to exploit his lower hurdle mark.

10/1

Form: -F261P CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Jumped well and made all over C&D (good to soft) last month on second start over fences; obvious contender if judged on that performance but he's a bit of a character (ran out in consecutive hurdle races last season) and was pulled up after some rather sketchy jumping at Ludlow last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

18:50 Fontwell

West Orchard

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time winner over fences including here (about 2m 3f, good) in 2024; last ran over hurdles when second at Wincanton (about 3m, good to soft) and he returns to this sphere after a couple of errors at Plumpton last month; respected.

7/4

3rd

2

16th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:15 Plumpton

West Orchard

11st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Four-time chase winner (2m3f/3m1f) in 2023 and 2024, two of them here, and shaped promisingly on hurdles return in December after a long absence; left behind a below-par run over fences later that month with a short-head defeat at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month; back up 2lb but needs respecting with course form.

3/1

2nd

5

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

West Orchard

10st 13lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Won three out of four chases in October-December 2024 (including C&D, good to soft; handles softer) and was an encouraging second over hurdles here (about 3m) on his comeback from a year's absence; return to fences didn't go well at Taunton later that month but could bounce back following two months off.

7/2

Form: 233-P4 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Began chasing career with front-running win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) last season and is well handicapped on some of his subsequent placed form; well beaten on both outings last month but travelled well for a long way on latter occasion and enters calculations here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Boys Of Wexford

11st 0lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Returned to winning ways in the new visor at Taunton (2m7f, good) but whether he'll follow one good run with another is questionable and he's gone up 6lb.

9/2

1st

8

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:20 Taunton

Boys Of Wexford

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Dual chase winner who showed up well until tiring on his first start for three months when fourth of eight finishers at Hereford (2m5f, good) 15 days ago; first-time visor replaces regular cheekpieces; place claims.

10/1

4th

7

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

14:30 Hereford

Boys Of Wexford

10st 6lb

J: James Davies

T: Henry Oliver

Dual chase winner; seemingly back in good nick when second at Fontwell (2m3f, good to soft) in November but ended 2025 with two non-completions and his record when fresh is not good; others preferred.

8/1

Form: 9-3594

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Not yet fully exposed after only seven runs but was well beaten when fourth on last month's chase/handicap debut at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) and needs to take a big step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Elpologreg

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Three places before stopping quickly and pulling up at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy; handles that ground) last time and his jumping wasn't the best; not overly appealing from 5lb out of the weights.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.80
Straight Forecast £19.79
Tricast £211.43
Trifecta £189.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Methusalar

POSTDATA:

West Orchard

The Times:

Eurkash

RP RATINGS:

Shaw's Cross

The Sun:

Sir Rock

WEST COUNTRY:

West Orchard

The Star:

West Orchard

Telegraph:

Methusalar

D Express:

Methusalar

Daily Mirror:

Methusalar

Daily Mail:

Eurkash

Daily Record:

Eurkash

The Guardian:

Shaw's Cross