Some Plan can come together in Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle
Published:
David Metcalf | May 7, 2016
Some Plan shaped really well last time out and looks the answer to a typically competitive renewal of the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle on a cracking mixed card at Haydock (14:15).
The gelding is a lightly-raced and unexposed sort who has caught the eye in in all four runs since joining trainer Paul Nicholls.
In the first of those, the eight-year-old travelled strongly before weakening late on to finish fifth of 10 to Lil Rockerfeller at Sandown.
Some Plan went on to finish a fine 2 3/4 length fourth of 21 to Jolly’s Cracked It in a valuable and ultra-competitive handicap at Ascot, where after being held-up in midfield he made stealthy headway on the inside three from home and loomed up looking the likely winner until a mistake at the second last stopped him in his tracks.
The son of Winged Love was then far from disgraced when 16th of 26 in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, travelling well for much of the contest, and posted a cracking effort in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last month when keeping on well to finish a 3 1/4 length fourth of 13 to Ch’tibello.
It was a performance which suggested Some Plan had a big prize like this in him, and he now meets the winner on slightly better terms. He also has the services of the useful Jack Sherwood in the saddle, who is good value for his 5lb claim.
Sweet on the chances of So Beloved
In the 7f Listed Spring Trophy (14:45), So Beloved looks to hold outstanding claims of making a winning return to action.
The gelding proved a revelation last season after joining trainer David O’Meara, winning three times (disqualified on one occasion) and posting some cracking efforts in defeat.
In the last of those successes, So Beloved rallied bravely to get up close home and beat Here Comes When in a Group 3 at Goodwood.
The six-year-old went on to run a blinder when a length fourth to Cable Bay in a Group 2 at Newmarket, and the form of those races read extremely well in the contest of this lower grade affair.
So Beloved is also the highest rated in the line-up off 113, and hails from a yard has begun to hit top gear and saddled five winners from it’s last nine runners at the time of writing.
Selections
13.20: Dollar Reward
14.15: Some Plan (NAP)
14.45: So Beloved (NB)
15.20: Zarib
15.55: Don’t Touch
16.30: Doctor Harper
17.00: Saints And Sinners
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