January 05 / 14.05 Plumpton

14.05

Soft

BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £39022.5
  • 3m 0f 217y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 415-32

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Won the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham (3m, soft) in March and returned to form with these blinkers back on when second of four in Grade 2 at Newbury (3m, soft) last time; solid contender now back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

21st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:55 Chepstow

Monmiral

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Paul Nicholls

2024 Pertemps Final winner but that was off 8lb lower; contested two Grade 1s last spring, before a wind operation (his second) and heavy defeat when returned to fences three months ago (easily his worst chase performance); Freddie Keighley takes off 7lb on this return to a handicap.

9/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

6th

8

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Monmiral

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Creditable fifth to Gwennie May Boy on this card last year, having won the Pertemps Final (3m, soft) the time before; creditable second in Grade 2 contests the last twice but this is harder; well beaten in this race in 2023.

40/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2123OP CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Pulled over fences at Sandown last time and chasing seems his optimum discipline; however, he won three times over hurdles/fences at Cartmel last year and he was leading when running out after three out in cross-country race at Cheltenham in November; has a good record here and is not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Tommie Beau

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

No longer the force of old and inconsistent nowadays but he capitalised upon some significant help from the handicapper when winning Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f, good) three weeks ago and he is also very well suited by this track.

15/8

1st

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Tommie Beau

11st 11lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Gained three of his 14 wins here, including 2022 edition of this race, but has regressed and become inconsistent; didn't run badly in last month's Sussex National at Plumpton (3m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces) but younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

14/1

6th

4

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Tommie Beau

11st 2lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Seamus Mullins

He's won here three times and was second in this race in 2024 on his last Plumpton visit; on a reduced mark but this 11yo has struggled to get competitive on his last few starts and needs to turn things around in first-time cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 81-212 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
In rude health over fences at Cheltenham towards the end of last year, posting a win (3m1f, good) then a good second (3m1f, good to soft); he needs to transfer that improvement back to hurdles but he won this last year (soft) and made it 2-2 here with another hurdle victory in April; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Transmission

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's initial promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; from Rock My Way) in February with a first-time visor, which has been kept since; ridden by 7lb claimer when fair third off this 8lb higher mark behind Havaila in the Sussex National at Plumpton 19 days ago but needs to hit new heights again.

16/1

3rd

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Transmission

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Neil Mulholland

Tapped back into last season's promising form, and then some, to win by 12l in a first-time visor at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft; Edinburgh National) in February; has also won on good ground and 2-2 over hurdles here; an 8lb rise may not stop him if the visor maintains its positive effect.

7/2

1st

3

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 76y

Class 2

15:05 Musselburgh

Transmission

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Cheltenham regular over fences and competitive off slightly higher marks than this last season, never-nearer fifth in the NH Chase when shaping as if he stayed 3m6f; that's not been the case this campaign and although a good deal closer at Ascot last time, he was still only eighth of ten finishers; needs to build markedly on that in new visor, replacing cheekpieces.

9/2

Form: 3U/463 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
12yo who isn't as good as he was but he's handicapped accordingly and stayed on for a promising sixth at Haydock (2m3f, soft) in November on his second start back from a long absence; suited by the step back up to 2m7f when 1l third at Chepstow (soft) recently and could be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

15:52 Exeter

Dans Le Vent

12st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

held up in rear, in touch with leaders 7th, chased clear leader 3 out, hung left and no impression run-in

11/2

5

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Dans Le Vent

11st 12lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Took a big 3m handicap at Haydock in November 2021 but no joy since and he's now a 12yo, absent 573 days before this season and not as good as he was; down the weights too and a close third at Chepstow on penultimate start, but he's not the percentage call.

20/1

10th

10

19th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Windsor

Dans Le Vent

10st 13lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

12yo who isn't as good as he was but he's handicapped accordingly and stayed on for a promising sixth at Haydock (2m3f, soft) in November on his second start back from a long absence; suited by the step back up to 2m7f when 1l third at Chepstow (soft) last month and could be bang there once more.

11/1

Form: 0323-2

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
9yo who has been beaten on his last 14 starts and was 18l behind the winner when runner-up on last month's reappearance at Sandown (2m7f, heavy); however, he could improve for that outing and ran well to be placed on his final two starts last season (2m4f/2m7f, good); each-way contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

2nd

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Up For Parol

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Largely consistent 9yo who makes a quick reappearance after finishing well to take close fourth from a long way off the pace at Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft) on Monday; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here.

7/2

5

26th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:30 Cartmel

Up For Parol

11st 5lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Ended a long losing run at Ffos Las (3m) in January and not disgraced when sixth of 17 in 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap last time; possibilities eased 1lb.

14/1

Form: 21-P42

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Two-time French winner (2m2f/2m3f, good/heavy) who stayed on for an encouraging second of four from 3lb out of the handicap at Hereford (2m4f, good to soft) a fortnight ago on his third British start; runs off his proper mark today and could benefit from the step up in trip; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

1st Mar 2025

Heavy

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:15 Newbury

Lemoncello

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led

9/1

Form: 32-111

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden at Hereford (2m3f, good) on his reappearance and, after a walkover at Catterick, he scored on his handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) last month; 4lb higher in a hotter race today but has a progressive profile and the extra yardage could be a positive; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Kilbarry Hill

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Completed a hat-trick in late 2024 (including a walkover) but has largely struggled off higher marks since and signed off for Olly Murphy with a couple of modest efforts, including in cheekpieces last time; 3lb lower than for his latest success but needs the change of scenery to spark a revival.

33/1

4th

5

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Kilbarry Hill

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Still to get his head in front in this sphere but he comes here on the back of a fair fifth of eight in 3m1f handicap at Wincanton last time; this three-time hurdles scorer is in the mix with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

11/2

5th

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Kilbarry Hill

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Career-best RPR but not at all fluent when third at Wetherby in December (3m, soft), and lasted just two fences on sole run since; has neither trip nor ground issues and mark remains competitive, so just a case of whether he returns more fleet of foot following two months out.

5/2

Non-runners

Cloud Dancer, Craven Bay

Verdict

The ex-French 6yo LEMONCELLO displayed staying potential when keeping on well over 2m4f at Hereford a fortnight ago and this step up in trip could prove ideal. Cloud Dancer relished his first crack at a staying distance at Doncaster last month and could still be well treated. The 12yo Dans Le Vent was a close third at Chepstow recently and is another possible player, along with last season’s Pertemps Final winner Monmiral, the thriving chaser Transmission and the progressive Kilbarry Hill.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Monmiral

The Times:

Transmission

TOPSPEED:

Dans Le Vent

SPOTLIGHT:

Lemoncello

D Express:

Cloud Dancer

The Star:

Kilbarry Hill

LAMBOURN:

Up For Parol

Telegraph:

Transmission

Daily Record:

Transmission

WEST COUNTRY:

Monmiral

Daily Mirror:

Monmiral

The Sun:

Monmiral

POSTDATA:

Dans Le Vent