Sussex National Tips & Betting Preview

A fantastic race for a Monday as 16 runners go to post for the Sussex National at Plumpton racecourse. This is a war of attrition run over three and a half miles and with soft ground forecast, only a thorough stayer will make it home. Read on for our runner by runner guide and free tip.

IN SUMMARY: The David Pipe trained Top Wood gets into this 0-130 off a mark of 132 so this represents a very solid chance for the horse to put it up to lesser rivals, for all he has a hefty 12-1 to carry. Our vote goes to Gary Moore’s TOTHEMOONANDBACK who granted was beat 18 lengths by Sartorial Elegance last time out. However, the gelding has a 15 pound swing in the weights and he was given far too much to do last time out, held up in rear before making late smooth headway into third. This trip will definitely suit and Gary won this race two of the last three seasons with Reblis and Well Refreshed.

1 Top Wood – Although this is a 0-130, top weight Top Wood can run in the race off a mark of 132 due to the new weight rules that are in place. This can be a big advantage for the better horses but he will have to carry 12-1 as a consequence. He has been terribly out of form the past few months but he hacked up off 133 at Ludlow back in March so is running off a decent mark. He was also travelling well in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham this year but fell. Each way player with Scudamore in the saddle.

2 Rigadin De Beauchene – Venetia Williams is in sublime form at present so every one of her runners needs a market check. This 12 year old has been around a long time but he is more than capable of putting in a huge run when in the mood. He was a winner at Haydock in December 2015 off 127 over thus sort of trip and although he is far from the most reliable, he could be a player considering the form of the yard at present.

3 Mysteree – A winner of four of his last eight starts and Richard Johnson keeps the mount after riding him to success at Haydock in November. Up nine pounds for that victory to 129 but he couldn’t cope with his former previous career-high mark of 125 at Ascot in the past so the jury is still out. Respected due to the fact Dickie remains in the saddle.

4 Sartorial Elegance – Justified favouritism to absolutely hack up by 18 lengths here at Plumpton over slightly shorter last time out, 18 lengths in front of Tothemoonandback. However, he was in receipt of four pounds that day but will have to give our selection 15 pounds on this occasion which is a massive swing. Still respected nonetheless for Colin Tizzard who seems to be winning all of these big staying handicaps lately.

5 Dawson City – Twice a winner over hurdles, including a win at this track but he is yet to taste success over fences for all he has gone close several times. He is now turning into a frustrating sort, runner up on four of his last five starts. The handicapper has dropped him three pounds for his latest effort at Ascot which has to give him every chance at the weights but the trip is an unknown.

6 Azure Fly – Charlie Longsdon trained 9 year old who has been running with plenty of credit in recent outings, either 2nd or 3rd in each of his last five starts. Went up three pounds for his latest second behind More Buck’s at Sandown and he didn’t stay this sort of marathon trip the two times he has attempted it. Others look more solid.

7 Carloswayback – Ex Irish-trained horse who seems to be loving life at the ripe old age of 12, victorious on his second start back since he was out injured for over two years at Wincanton last month. That was a convincing victory too but he has been hit with a 10 pound penalty which will make life so much tougher here.

8 Sixty Something – 11 year old gelding trained by Paul Webber and this boy is a very quirky individual. He was travelling very well when he fell in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham back in March and he also travelled well for a long way when pulled up late on at Bangor on his seasonal reappearance. He is really well treated off a mark of 124 if he gets a clear round and he will relish the trip.

9 Morney Wing – Noel Fehily is a very interesting jockey booking on this Charlie Mann trained horse, a yard that haven’t had too many winners of late. Bumped into a well handicapped pair when third at Sandown over this sort of trip last month. Last success was off 116 at Fakenham earlier in 2016 so has work to do to win this off a mark of 123.

10 Beforeall – Oliver Sherwood has hit a rich vein of form and when he does strike form it can pay to stick with him. This horse has to improve a lot on his recent effort at Exeter where he was tailed off but that was his first run of the season so might just have needed it. He was well backed to score at Fakenham this time last year but he puts in terrible runs more often than he shows up so is best avoided on this occasion.

11 Woodford County – Temperamental horse and that could be the reason for his complete lack of decent form for quite some time. In good hands with Philip Hobbs and his mark continues to fall, but he has been woeful since his last success in December 2015, beat a combined 230 lengths on his last four outings.

12 Leg Iron – Big bold 12 year old gelding trained by Sheena West but will need to produce a career best just to figure here, never mind win. He is a course winner which is always an advantage but he is now three pounds higher and he was pulled up on both of his last two starts. Impossible to fancy unless there is some serious market support.

13 Onderun – Fairly lightly raced 8 year old trained by Emma Lavelle and Daryl Jacob gets the leg up which is a plus. Drew clear to score by 8 lengths after 11 months off the track at Lingfield over the three miles last time out. That was a very impressive display and there could be more to come off what is a very workable mark.

14 Tothemoonandback – Gary Moore has won two of the last three renewals of this race and his record at Plumpton speaks for itself. This horse was beat 18 lengths by one of the market leaders Sartorial Elegance when they met last time out but he meets that horse 15 pounds better off this time round. Technically he still has three pounds to find with that runner but he was given a very patient hold up ride last time out and he let the winner get away from him. He stayed on all the way to the line and if he can be ridden a bit closer to the pace, he must have a huge chance to turn the tables.

15 Cailleach Annie – Produced a career best to date last time out to finish a staying on third at Uttoxeter, ridden with a lot of patience. The first time cheek-pieces did the trick and they remain on. David Noonan takes off a handy three pounds so with just 10-6 on the horses’ back, he could be an each way player.

16 Nail ‘M – Thorough stayer who ran a solid race when third over 3m 5f at Bangor last time out. Acts on soft ground so conditions will be to suit but he hasn’t won since Sedgefield in March 2014 and there are better options in the field, horses’ with more scope for improvement.