2.00pm Plumpton Tips & Betting Preview 16/01/2017

Seven go to post which is a shame for each way backers in the second race of the day at Plumpton, see our betting tips below and the full race preview.

IN SUMMARY: Although performing admirably of late, Triple Chief is very hard to win with and ready preference is for VERY LIVE. He wasn’t at his best on his latest effort but conditions are set to be perfect for him today and it is not hard to see him bouncing back now that he has back on the same mark as when winning over C&D in February. He can see off the opposition and Yourholidayisover can fill out the final place thanks to his consistency.

1 VERY LIVE – Was a good second at Lingfield on his penultimate start (2m, Soft), though he was disappointing on his latest start at Newbury in December (2m, Good to Soft). However it is easy to forgive that effort and he now lies on the same mark as when winning over C&D in February, so it is not hard to see him bouncing back with the softer ground set to give him his perfect conditions. He should be up close throughout and with a good ride from Richie McLernon, he should be able to take victory today for Paul Webber.

2 TRIPLE CHIEF – Has been performing admirably of late and his latest third at Wincanton in December was his best effort this season (1m 7f, Good to Soft). Races off the same mark today but his overall record of 1-24 doesn’t enhance his claims, though this is only his fourth over fences. Conditions are fine today with the softer ground his optimum and should certainly give a good account of himself, but it is not hard to see him finding one of these to good.

3 EASTER IN PARIS – Very modest performer over both codes and was last seen over fences when falling at Fakenham in December after a less than assured display (2m 5f, Good to Soft). She did improve for the switch back to hurdles a week later, finishing a distant second at Fontwell (2m 5f, Good to Soft) and drops markedly in trip for today’s outing. Hard to build a case for her with nothing of note in four chase starts thus far and looks set for a tough day on these terms, especially with this drop back in trip unlikely to suit on previous evidence.

4 ALOTTARAIN – Plugged on into a moderate 5th of 14 at Hereford in December on chasing debut (2m, Soft), though she should have learned lots from that effort. She races off 88 today which is the same as her hurdling mark, though she did win off 94 over hurdles previously which gives hope for an improved effort today. Conditions are fine with softer ground preferred and has Daniel Samson taking off 10lb, so could be an interesting Each Way angle for Seamus Mullins if showing improvement on her second start over fences.

5 NO NO CARDINAL – 2-38 under rules including 1-20 over fences which doesn’t make for pleasant reading, and is still 7lb above his last winning mark. He has been in mediocre form the last few efforts, finishing tailed off over hurdles on his latest start five days ago though he was only two and a quarter lengths behind Triple Chief at Wincanton when last seen over fences (1m 7f, Good to Soft). He did however weaken poorly up the run in that day which is concerning and has usually avoided softer ground in the past, and the percentage call is to avoid.

6 YOURHOLIDAYISOVER – 0-14 over fences though he has placed on numerous occasions and wasn’t disgraced when finishing a close third at Hereford two weeks ago (2m, Soft). Very infrequent winner with an overall record of 1-48 but has been consistent of late, not finishing outside the top three on his last six runs which is positive and he has conditions to suit today. He should be able to snatch a place if continuing this good patch but would be a surprise winner given his record.

7 GORING TWO – Won this race last year but has lost his way since, pulling up four times out of his last six runs. Has slipped 13lb down the weights as a consequence but it is hard to make a case for him with how poor he’s been, with an uninspiring record of 3-31 over fences not helping his case. Anna Newton-Smith did however have a winner last week and he’s 3lb below his last winning mark, but it is still impossible to put him forward on balance.