Crystal can shine at Plumpton in weekend meeting

CRYSTAL MOON does not have many miles on the clock for a seven- year- old and still has enough scope to prevail in the Bluebell Vineyard Estates Handicap Chase at Plumpton.

Alan King’s charge showed little over hurdles earlier on in his career but came good once put over fences, finishing an unlucky second at Ludlow before scoring at Huntingdon on Boxing Day 2022.

It was unfortunate that he was then forced to have a lengthy lay- off, spending 11 months on the sidelines prior to returning to action at Doncaster in November.

Crystal Moon understandably needed that outing but then showed any cobwebs had been blown away by galloping on strongly to strike at Hereford in mid- January, despite a couple of sketchy jumps late on.

King has clearly been waiting for the ground to dry up a bit before bringing him out again and more progress is expected with conditions back in his favour here.

Fame And Fun bids for a quick course- and- distance double in the ExTech Cloud Demystifying Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.

The Paul Nicholls- trained gelding recently did just enough to fend off I See You Well but that pair were 14 lengths clear of the third and he can also come on again for that first outing since mid- November.

Fortune Forever was a bit untidy in the latter stages at Taunton last time out but showed plenty of spirit to plug on for second place and stepping up in trip to three miles really seemed to suit her.

Fergal O’Brien’s unexposed mare has another furlong to travel in the Dorothy Bridle Memorial Handicap Hurdle and a maiden success is on the cards.

Royal Pretender has to put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him in the ExTech Racing To The Cloud! Handicap Hurdle but has dropped down to an interesting mark.

A smooth course scorer as a novice a few years ago, he showed better form at Exeter back in October following a lengthy break and may still have a big run left in him at some point.

Crazierthandaisy was a real eye- catcher when third on her bumper debut in January and gets a belated chance to build on that in the Hickstead Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race now that Nicky Henderson is back in business.

At Hereford, Insurrection is fancied to get back on track in the

I. T

Best Odds Guaranteed At PlanetSportBet Novices’ Hurdle after being given a couple of months off to recharge his batteries.

He looked in need of a rest when a distant last of three behind Fun Fun Fun at Exeter in mid- February, although a previous oddson defeat by Golden Ace does not seem as bad after that victor went on to claim Cheltenham Festival glory.

Insurrection earned rave reviews when making all to beat subsequent scorer Diamond Ri on his debut over timber back in November and it would be foolish to give up on him just yet.

Glance From Clover gets the nod in the Charlie Goodman Handicap Chase, having stayed on strongly to oblige over the same course and distance a couple of months ago.

Alastair Ralph’s nine- year- old was running another solid race when falling four out at Warwick next time and will hopefully be none the worse for that experience.

Montecam travelled nicely for a long way when third behind Champagne Twist at Doncaster and that winner went on to frank the form by following up in a big final at Sandown.

Henderson’s five- year- old also has a fine second to stablemate Bhaloo on his CV and has been found a good chance to break his duck in the Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Maiden Hurdle.

SELECTIONS

DOWN ROYAL: 1.55 Pallas Athene, 2.30 Stockdale, 3.05 Pipers Boreen, 3.40 A Great Buzz, 4.15 Duffle Coat, 4.50 He Fitz In, 5.25 The Dabbler.

HEREFORD: 1.47 Fiston De Becon, 2.22 Insurrection, 2.57 Mistral Milly, 3.32 Glance From Clover, 4.07 Montecam, 4.42 Lemoncello, 5.17 Nine Nine Nine.

PLUMPTON: 1.30 Fame And Fun, 2.05 Fortune Forever, 2.40 Davidoc, 3.15 Royal Pretender, 3.50 CRYSTAL MOON ( NAP), 4.25 Tellmesomethingood, 5.00 Crazierthandaisy.

DOUBLE: Crystal Moon and Insurrection.