1:55 Plumpton – Lady Wilberry
There is a distinct “after Cheltenham” feel about Mondays cards, but the opening mares’ maiden hurdle at Plumpton is one of the more interesting races. Nicky Henderson runs Fishcake, a full sister to dual Cheltenham festival winner Monkfish and she is likely to be popular in the market, though she will need to step up on her somewhat average debut in a Wincanton bumper last month. Her presence could give some decent each-way value to our selection LADY WILBERRY. Kieran Burke’s 5-year-old didn’t show a great deal in her 3 starts in bumpers, but she improved on her hurdles debut last month when 3rd to the talented Lady Adare at Taunton. That was an improved effort, and she was still travelling well enough as the field turned for home before she was outpaced in the home straight. She is bred to stay well, so the extra furlong at this more galloping track should really suit and she is good value to at least pinch a place if one of the principles were to disappoint.
3:30 Wincanton – Petrossian
Paul Nicholls has an exceptional record at his local track and although last week may not have gone to plan for the champion trainer, he remains on course for another trainer’s title and looks to have a good chance to add to his tally with PETROSSIAN. The winner of a Newbury bumper in November 2020, he made his hurdles debut at Kempton a year later, finishing 2nd in what was effectively a match race, beaten less than 3-lengths by Alan Kings Call of the Wild. That form took a boost when Call of the Wild won on his reappearance at Doncaster earlier this month and if Petrossian can repeat that effort, he should probably win this. He looked to be a much more straight forward ride than his stablemate Huflower and is the pick of stable jockey Harry Cobden. Malcolm Denmark had a great week at the Cheltenham festival when The Nice Guy won the Albert Bartlett on Friday, and he could enjoy more success with Petrossian.
