3.20pm Plumpton Tips & Betting Preview 30/01/2017

Six runners go to post for the fourth race of the day at Plumpton on Monday, a staying hurdle. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A very tricky race can go the way of EMINENT POET, who although 13lb above his last winning mark hasn’t been disgraced on his last three runs. He ran a good second at Ffos Las in April off a 3lb higher mark and he’s worth a go at this longer trip in conditions that will suit. His main challenger is likely to be Stay Out Of Court, who has the cheekpieces on for handicap debut and has to be respected.

1 EMINENT POET – Last win came back in January 2016 but hasn’t been disgraced the last thrice, not beaten all that far at Market Rasen on seasonal reappearance when setting the pace (2m 4f, Good to Soft). He was entitled to need that in a harder race than this and now drops down two classes with conditions to suit, so is likely to run much better today. He is certainly worth a go at this trip and has run well off a mark 3lb higher than this, so all signs point to a good run.

2 CITY SUPREME – 1-18 overall which tempers enthusiasm somewhat and 0-8 on ground which is soft or heavy which further dents Anthony Honeyball’s seven year old’s chances. He’s been running consistently well of late however and is a strong stayer at this trip, finishing fourth and not beaten far at Warwick a few weeks ago (3m 2f, Soft) in a higher class than this. Likely to go well under the in form Harry Cobden but others seem likelier and he’s still 14lb higher than his last winning mark.

3 BALLYHEIGUE BAY – Better known as a chaser these days though has some useful form in the book in the context of this race including a Class 3 win back in March 2015 over fences (3m, Good), but has been very inconsistent for a while now. Although a good second at Kempton in May over the larger obstacles (3m, Good), he returned this season with a nasty fall at Fontwell and hasn’t been seen since (3m 3f, Soft), which has to be of concern. Still 4lb above his last winning mark over hurdles and was last seen over these obstacles when a poor 12th at Ascot in April (2m 7f, Good to Soft). Hard to fancy under these terms today and likely best watched.

4 STAY OUT OF COURT – Showed moderate form in one bumper and has finished a good second on both his hurdling runs so far. He was staying on all the time at Ffos Las in December (2m, Heavy) and being upped in distance seemed to do the trick when second at Taunton in January, although beaten some 22 lengths (2m 7f, Good). Clearly stays this distances if his point form is anything to go by and is thoroughly unexposed on handicap debut with cheekpieces added. Likely to run well and has to be respected for David Pipe.

5 MARGOT FONTANE – Showed promise as a novice with two good efforts the last twice, finishing a decent enough third at Plumpton earlier this month (2m 4f, Soft) at odds of 50/1. She’s bred to appreciate this trip which certainly makes her interesting on handicap debut as a mark of 112 doesn’t look too severe. Has place claims for definite under Jack Sherwood.

6 DALIANCE – Was back to somewhere near his best when fourth at Market Rasen two weeks ago, not beaten too far (2m 7f, Soft). Still 2lb above his last winning mark but if running to the same standard again he should hit the frame with conditions to suit, as this trip should be fine. Definite place claims but others can have a far easier case made for them in terms of win purposes, as he does have a 3-23 record over timber.