07:34 temperatures reached -3 overnight and there is a slight "crust" on the course but no problems anticipated - going is Good to Soft

12:04 Good afternoon from a sunny but chilly Plumpton

12:28 There are a few jockeys and trainers out having a look at the track making some grumbling noises and one of them, Mark Rimell, has taken his horse Bhakti out of the opener.

12:32 The first hurdle in the back straight is being omitted due to unsuitable ground

12:56 The opening contest is the two mile SIS Live Novices' Hurdle with 12 off to post.

Marcus Antonius was doing his utmost to demolish the saddling box and he was on his toes in the parade ring. Battleoftrafalgar was battling his handler. It Wasn't Us is a very diminutive mare. Chilworth Lass caught the eye.

13:16 Well Marcus Andronicus may have been popular in the betting but his antics before hand told what was going to happen.

It was however a good race for favourite backers as Henry San was produced late by Wayne Hutchinson to come home a comfortable five length winner.

Sew On Target, who had set the pace, came home second but was unable to respond to the winners turn of foot.

Specialagent Alfie got the better of Lamblord for third spot. 

13:31 Quite a few runners coming out here because of the ground.

The last fence in the home straight being omitted in the next at Plumpton

13:47 No point in writing War and Peace about the Timeform Jury Novices Chase as the three runners were in the same order throughout the 2½ mile contest.

Golan Guy made all, Hearty Royale tracked and She's Jolly was always in rear becoming more detached the further they went.

13:59 Confirmation the final fence in the home straight will be omitted in all chases this afternoon.

14:17 Quite a good little race there with a good finish and it was the girls who came out on top as She's Humble rallies to beat the favourite Goring Two.

Goring Two looked to have done enough as he hit the front coming down the back straight for the final time and opening up a couple of lengths lead as they swung for home. 

However the 10-year-old mare was nothing if not brave and by the last she was upsides and ran clear of the favourite on the run-into record a 1¾ length victory.

Wosayu was running on well in the closing stages to finish third, albeit eight lengths behind the runner-up.

 Curragh Dancer and Wishes Or Watches set the pace but both filled the final two places, the latter being very well beaten.

14:33 Next up is the J H Builders EBF Mares' National Hunt Novices' Hurdle a 2m 5f contest with 11 off to post.

Not very original but the odds-on favourite Lady Kathleen is the clear paddock pick.

14:50 It looked as though the odds on gamble was going to pay off as Lady Kathleen was clear approaching the last but this game is all about jumping and she came to grief at the final hurdle, looking to over jump the flight and buckling on landing.

This left Fifi L'Amour clear but her advantage was to be short lived as One More Cookie powered up the run-in, going on to record a four length victory.

Fifi L'Amour seemed to be labouring on the run-in to the extent she was beaten into third by Regal Brook, who had led for most of the contest before rallying late on.

15:04 Next up is the Revelstoke Wine Company Handicap Chase, a 2½ mile contest with five off to face the starter.

Before racing I was considering having a punt on Niceonefrankie but having seen him in the parade ring I'm keeping my money in my pocket. One of those intangible feelings that just plants seeds of doubt, especially at odds-on.

15:17 OK so Niceonefrankie won quite comfortably but I'm still happy I left my money in my pocket.

Alldunnandusted and Magot de Grugy set the pace with Niceonefrankie and Master Darcey vying for third spot.

Magot de Grugy's challenge effectively ended when going through the top of the fourth last.

As they turned for home Niceonefrankie  was upside Alldunnandusted and was in front as they lined up for the final two flights.

 It was no contest in the final stages as he coasted clear to record a 15 length victory.

Magot de Grugy did rally in the closing stages and got within three parts of a length of the runner-up Alldunnandusted.

15:32 Race six is the Timeform TV Focus Handicap Chase, our longest contest of the day as they complete three circuits of the course in the 3¼ mile contest.

Blue Lovell was quite on her toes making his two handlers work hard. Sir Winston looked to be a nice sort.

15:48 A good finish to this race with three horses battling to the line.

Neutrals must feel sorry for connections of Ballinhassig who led all the way only to be done in the dying strides.

The "villain" of the piece was Pretty Penny who was produced with a perfectly timed run by Felix De Giles to grab a three parts of a length victory.

Another running-on finisher was Blue Lovell and the grey mare managed to get a similar distance behind the runner-up Ballinhassig.

Might As Well was with the pace for most of the contest only to fade on the turn for home.

The favourite, Sir Winston, was most disappointing, tracking the leading group for most of the contest but the writing was on the wall as they came down the back straight and he looked beaten, only beating two home in the end.  

16:05 We end the card as we begun it and a two mile hurdle, this time the SIS Live Handicap Hurdle with five off to post.

16:22 A happy end to the day for favourite backers as Double Handful was just that as he powered home a comfortable six length winner beating the front running Wheres Johnny with the other front runner, Forest Rhythm, back in third spot.

Not much else to say really.

16:30 That's it from a very chilly Plumpton where I think they were very lucky to race this afternoon.

Time to go home and thaw out, from a chilly Sussex a very good afternoon.

  Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

13:10
2 Bhakti (going - 12:30)
5 Majestueux (heat in leg - SC 09:01)

13:40
1 Chariot Charger (going - 13:07
3 Owen Glendower (going - )

14:40
4 Dancing Teaselo (going - 13:07)
12 Thymeless (going - 13:08)

15:10
2 Humble Ben (going - 13:24)

16:10
5 Lindsay's Dream (going - 14:57)
 

Results

13:10 Novices' Hurdle 2m

13:40 Novices Chase 2m 4f

14:10 Handicap Chase 2m 1f

14:40 Novices' Hurdle 2m 5f

15:10 Handicap Chase 2m 4f

15:40 Handicap Chase 3m 2f

16:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m