January 05 / 14.40 Plumpton

14.40

Good To Soft

BetGoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £18483.5
  • 3m 4f 102y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
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BetGoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: U21P-P D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
10yo who was pulled up in the Scottish National on his final outing last season and it was the same story in the London version on last month's reappearance; however, he may have needed that latest run and is just 2lb higher than when winning at Taunton (3m4f, soft) last March; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Broken Halo

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Had wind surgery (his second) since last run; scored over 3m4f at Taunton (soft) in March and was still going well (4l down, disputing third) when falling two out in this contest last year; shortlisted.

7/1

Form: 3-2813 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won when upped in trip in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) in November and good third in the London National at Sandown (3m4f, soft) last month; this is less competitive and he holds strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Unanswered Prayers

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Chris Gordon

Well suited by a stamina test on good ground and lurks on a dangerous mark but has not been firing on all cylinders since running well on last season's reappearance outing in October; safely held when fourth in recent Sussex National; needs to up his game.

12/1

4th

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 104y

Class 2

16:25 Plumpton

Unanswered Prayers

10st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Chris Gordon

Won the Southern National (3m3f, good) in November 2024 and he's on a dangerous mark on form as recent as October 2025; however, this 10yo hasn't threatened since and needs to raise his game.

14/1

3rd

4

8th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:48 Warwick

Unanswered Prayers

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Landed the Southern National at Fontwell (3m3f, good) last term; form this season features two respectable efforts at Cheltenham, including in 3m5f cross-country race; possibilities off an attractive mark.

7/1

Form: 152524 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
He has an in-and-out profile and was well beaten at Newcastle in November last time, but he won twice last summer and went close subsequently at Cartmel (3m1f, heavy) in August and in the Durham National at Sedgefield (3m5f, good) in October; he can be in the mix if he's on a going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Jerrash

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Did at least get round last time but was pretty much tailed off and didn't jump that well; others safer.

12/1

3

21st Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

16:20 Cartmel

Jerrash

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Easily reeled in and was pulled up after blasting off in front at Market Rasen a fortnight ago (well backed), and has now failed to complete all four races this year; on a workable mark and suited by this C&D but needs to get career back on track.

9/1

6

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Jerrash

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Last win came in this race 12 months ago when 4lb lower; can struggle to find fluency over his fences and hasn't completed in his last three races; bit risky.

10/1

Form: 6138-P CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on reappearance at Ascot in November but he was missing these cheekpieces, which he's worn for his last three wins, including this race last year (soft); did it comfortably 12 months ago and a 7lb higher mark may not stop him if he's back on song; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Dom Of Mary

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: James Owen

Trained by David Bridgwater to win the 2024 Sussex National at Plumpton and nearly win it last term, both on soft; has made a solid start for James Owen this term, notably with a strong-finishing win here (3m6f, good to soft) but he was also sixth in the Welsh National last time; each-way player.

7/1

19

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Dom Of Mary

10st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

First and a close second in last two runnings of the Sussex National at Plumpton (extended 3m4f, soft); turned for home with a place chance in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f; finished eighth) last time and 4m is worth a go, but this company looks too demanding.

50/1

19

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Dom Of Mary

10st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: David Bridgwater

First and a close second in last two runnings of the Sussex National at Plumpton (extended 3m4f, soft); turned for home with a place chance in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham (3m2f; finished eighth) last time and 4m is worth a go, but this company looks too demanding.

50/1

Form: -P111P

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 in the visor (2m4f/3m, soft/good to soft) when winning at Haydock last month; pulled up there (3m1f, heavy) last time; shouldn't be written off after just one bad run but he has something to prove after that performance; blinkers (in which he's 0-3) replace the visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:05 Wetherby

East Street

11st 10lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Moved to this yard last season and won three in a row towards the end of last year (2m4f/3m, good to soft/soft); disappointing subsequently but perhaps a break will have helped and he's down to a handy mark; interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

20/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:05 Wetherby

East Street

11st 10lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Moved to this yard last season and won three in a row towards the end of last year (2m4f/3m, good to soft/soft); disappointing subsequently but perhaps a break will have helped and he's down to a handy mark; interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

20/1

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

East Street

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: James Owen

always behind

14/1

Abandoned

Form: 13257-

Last run: 258 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Below par on final two starts last season but ran well first time up last term and was placed in the Lincolnshire (3m3f, good to soft) and Surrey (3m5f, soft) Nationals later in the campaign; on a handy mark and could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

13:50 Fakenham

Animal

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Suzy Smith

Tailed off two runs back but the season had started okay given the company he was in and it was a solid enough run to be beaten 6l last time at Fontwell (3m2f, soft); same career-low mark here and firmly in the reckoning.

5/2

17

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Animal

10st 12lb

J: Mrs Izzie Hill

T: Suzy Smith

Makes seasonal debut from a tempting mark and won't fail through lack of stamina but looked out of sorts on both outings at the start of this year and has done all his winning on soft ground; needs combination of wind surgery and first-time tongue-tie to prompt a revival.

33/1

Form: 92-652

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Point/maiden hurdle winner (heavy/soft) who has improved this season with each of his three runs over fences, most recently finishing a close second of five at Windsor (3m, good to soft); looks to possess plenty of stamina and he could be suited by this marathon trip; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Minella Blueway

10st 10lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Mrs C Williams

Won the 3m novice handicap chase on this card 12 months ago (good to soft) when 5lb lower and he produced a similar effort to finish second at Plumpton in January (3m1f, soft); however, this race demands a career best and on the back of a laboured display at Ludlow.

50/1

7th

4

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

14:07 Ludlow

Minella Blueway

11st 4lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won this race in first-time cheekpieces a year ago (soft ground) and followed up in valuable event at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) last March; made disappointing start to current campaign but last month's second of four at Plumpton (3m1f, soft) was much better and his current mark ought to be workable; respected.

4/1

2nd

1

26th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 157y

Class 4

15:50 Plumpton

Minella Blueway

11st 11lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Evan Williams

Won two in a row when cheekpieces first fitted (3m; soft and good to soft) last spring; hard to judge current wellbeing as he's been running in better races since back from a break but he was soundly beaten in his only completion and fell early at Ascot only nine days ago.

11/4

Form: 46-64P C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
She's 2lb lower than when winning at Fontwell (3m3f, soft) last January but she's struggled on her three starts this season, most recently being pulled up over 3m5f at Fakenham; has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Gold Clermont

11st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Andy Irvine

Ex-Olly Murphy; off the mark for present yard when winning five-runner handicap chase by a short head at Fontwell last time (3m2f, good); up 3lb; interesting.

9/2

1st

2

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Gold Clermont

11st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Andy Irvine

All four wins have came over fences Andy Irvine; her last success was in January 2024 but that was at this track (3m3f) and she returned to form with a creditable third over hurdles here (3m2f, soft) last month; that was only her second start since rejoining her former stable and she's in the mix back over fences.

7/1

3rd

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 1f 166y

Class 5

15:45 Fontwell

Gold Clermont

11st 10lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Andy Irvine

All four wins have came over fences for Andy Irvine; had no joy in three starts for Olly Murphy and rejoined former stable before pulling up at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) last month; bids to exploit 10lb lower mark over hurdles; needs to show more.

5/1

Verdict

Last year’s winner DOM OF MARY (nap) is back in the cheekpieces which he wore for that comfortable victory 12 months ago, and he can leave his reappearance performance behind him. The reappearing Animal has guaranteed stamina and a handy mark, and he is second choice ahead of in-form pair Unanswered Prayers and Minella Blueway.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Unanswered Prayers

The Times:

Minella Blueway

SPOTLIGHT:

Dom Of Mary

TOPSPEED:

Animal

WEST COUNTRY:

Broken Halo

D Express:

Minella Blueway

The Star:

Dom Of Mary

POSTDATA:

Unanswered Prayers

The Guardian:

Unanswered Prayers

Daily Mirror:

Unanswered Prayers

Daily Record:

Unanswered Prayers

Telegraph:

Animal