Despite a damp and grey day, a decent crowd enjoyed competiive racing at Plumpton yesterday.
The opening Maiden Hurdle Race attracted nine runners and produced an interesting winner when 5-1 shot The Caller, trained by Warren Greatrex, overturned 1-4 favourite Oscars Boss trained by Neil Mullholland and ridden by Noel Fehily.
Gavin Sheehan partnered the winner, tracking the leader until approaching two out where The Caller was produced to go clear from the final hurdle. Warren Greatrex said The Caller was not certain to go on to tackle fences.
“He is not very big but certainly will get further, even three miles in time,” he added.
Nine runners contested the novice handicap steeplechase, which was won by Instingtive, trained by Gary Moore and partnered by Jamie Moore. The six-year-old beat the Tom Gretton-trained Yourholidayisover by just a head.
Gary Moore said afterwards:”He is a beautiful looking horse and a born chaser, but he has been very disappointing. He got his act together today, stuck his head down and went for it. He is a straightforward horse and that was the worst race on the world.”
The Novice Hurdle was won by the Philip Hobbs trained Jerrysback, 1-2 favourite ridden by Barry Geraghty which was never in danger from 50-1 shot Jaisalmer, sent out by Mark Bradstock with James Banks in the saddle.
Eminent Poet, trained by Venetia Williams, was in his element in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle under Charlie Deutsch. This horse had won twice last winter in heavy conditions and beat Anthony Honeyball’s City Supreme by five lengths.
But there was compensation for Anthony Honeyball when he sent out 9-4 favourite Royall Salute win the three miles one furlong handicap chase under Harry Cobden.
Morestead trainer Chris Gordon and jockeyTom Cannon continued their good partnership when 11-4 favourite Bol D’Air won the final handicap hurdle by 10 lengths.
The next Plumpton meeting is At The Races Raceday on Monday February 13