Cheltenham Festival hopeful Mondo Man will look to head to Prestbury Park in-form after striking at Plumpton this afternoon, live on Sky Sports Racing.
1.30 Plumpton – Mondo Man headlines for Gary and Josh Moore
Gary and Josh Moore’s Mondo Man headlines a field of seven for the opening Alfriston Hotel – Have You Visited? Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old interestingly only has one win under his belt, despite running well in numerous Group and Graded races both on the flat and over obstacles.
The Moores have decided a maiden may be the best option to bring some much-needed confidence back and if this race goes as planned for the team, then a trip to Cheltenham to contest the County Hurdle may be next on the agenda.
Although it will likely be tough for anyone to challenge Mondo Man, the chief threat may come from Ben Clarke’s Thistle Be The One, who has placed in a couple of races over hurdles – notably behind French Ship and Grade 2 winner Alexei. The cheekpieces are swapped for a first-time tongue tie on this step back up in trip.
The Cynthia Woods-trained Major Major and My Lovely Horse (for David Bridgwater) are most likely the best of the rest, despite the latter being pulled up twice in his last three starts.
4.15 Plumpton – In-form Getaway King pursues the four-timer
Getaway King will have to overcome four rivals in the penultimate Sky Sports Racing Supports Jamie’s Farm Handicap Chase if he is to land the four-timer for Fergal O’Brien. Having struggled to find any sort of form previously, the eight-year-old joined the Ravenswell Farm operation three starts ago and has maintained a 100 per cent strike rate for his new stable, with two wins at Lingfield and one success at Fontwell.
He seems to be thriving this winter at the two-and-a-half-mile trip and is primed for another successful run under usual rider Tom Broughton.
Nick Gifford’s Koenigsstern was going well last-time-out before falling at the second-last at Lingfield and will go close here if he manages to produce a better round of jumping in pursuit of a second chase win.
Ostrava Du Berlais is another to note for Venetia Williams, with her charge seeking a third chase win. Rap Soul and Le Galli Bier (for Gary and Josh Moore) make up this field of five.
4.25 Wolverhampton – Midnight Call bids to complete a course hat-trick
A field of 10 go to post in the opening Midnite: Built For 2026 Not 2006 Apprentice Handicap with Wolverhampton specialist Tony Carroll saddling Midnight Call. The five-year-old mare seeks a third successive win at Dunstall Park, having been denied a hat-trick three starts back when finishing third to winning machine Beauzon. She is now back on the hat-trick trail after entering the winners’ enclosure here twice at the end of January over five and six furlongs.
Albert Cee comes here in good form since undergoing wind surgery three starts ago and after recording a first all-weather success two runs back, the six-year-old only found Cargin Bhui too good last-time out – who himself has recorded another win since.
Woodhay Whisper (for Jack Jones) comes here seeking back-to-back victories, but will have to do so under a 5lb penalty for his success over today’s course and distance six days ago.
Twilight Madness, Bint Havana Gold and Invincible Melody are others to keep an eye on.
