Aucunrisque can take Sussex Champion title

Aucunrisque can get back on the winning trail in the Betgoodwin Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton.

AUCUNRISQUE.
AUCUNRISQUE. Picture: AAP Image

The seven-year-old has enjoyed a fine campaign, winning on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter in the autumn before successive runner-up finishes at Newbury and Kempton.

He subsequently reverted to the smaller obstacles to provide trainer Chris Gordon with one of the biggest successes of his career in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February before being readied for an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

Aucunrisque failed to fire in the County Hurdle, finishing 18th of 24 runners, while the Betfair Hurdle runner-up Filey Bay finished third.

It is not too difficult to find a valid excuse for Aucunrisque's below-par performance as the rain-softened ground in the Cotswolds did not play to his strengths.

Back on a sounder surface and dropping in class for a race sponsored by his owners, everything points to a big performance, with the booking of talented 5lb claimer Caoilin Quinn another positive.

Gary Moore  loves a winner at Plumpton and has every chance of adding to his tally with with Love Is Golden in the William Hill Epic Value Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Rated in the high 80s on the Flat with Mark Johnston, the five-year-old changed hands for 40,000 guineas in October and was swiftly gelded ahead of a career over jumps.

He made an excellent start with a six-length success on his hurdling debut at Newbury in February and while had to make do with minor honours when third at Doncaster next time, a return to Newbury yielded a return to the winner's enclosure a fortnight ago as he drew 39 lengths clear of his toiling rivals.

Love Is Golden enters the handicap sphere off a mark of 125 and should prove hard to beat.

Olly Murphy has his string firing on all cylinders and saddles a major contender for the opening race at Ffos Las in The Same.

The point-to-point graduate was odds-on for his hurdling and rules debut at Market Rasen last month and dominated from the front before passing the post with 11 lengths in hand.

He proved at Market Rasen he handles soft ground and he should be capable of defying a penalty in the As Leisure New & Used Caravan Sales Novices' Hurdle before perhaps going novice chasing next term.

Jay Jay Reilly can make the most of having his sights lowered in Market Rasen's Ferry Ales Lincoln Red Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Dan Skelton's charge made it third time lucky over fences when recording a narrow victory at Kempton in February, but was outclassed when tackling the Grade Two Pendil Novices' Chase at the same track a fortnight later.

Going back into a handicap off a rating only 3lb above his winning mark, he will take some stopping.

All-weather fare comes from Southwell, where Timewave is fancied for the Cazoo Handicap.

Following three initial efforts in novice and maiden company, it was no great surprise to see the grey son of Sea The Stars open his account on his handicap debut at Kempton in January.

The winning margin was three-quarters of a length that day, but he was value for significantly more given he was eased down and the handicapper handed him a 6lb rise.

He was favourite to defy that hike and double up at Wolverhampton last month, but committed for home a long way out and was eventually run down and was beaten four lengths into fourth place.

Faced with just a trio of rivals, he looks well placed to reward those who keep the faith.

SELECTIONS:

CORK: 1.10 Calico, 1.45 Knockanard Lady, 2.20 Fils D'oudairies, 2.55 Largy Debut, 3.30 Chacun Pour Soi, 4.05 Spillane's Tower, 4.40 Killinure Lass, 5.15 Will Do.

FAIRYHOUSE: 1.25 Classic Lord, 2.00 Invictus Machin, 2.35 Ashroe Diamond, 3.10 Parmenion, 3.45 American Mike, 4.20 Dinoblue, 4.55 Flame Bearer, 5.30 Iceberg Theory.

FFOS LAS: 1.40 The Same, 2.15 Doctor Dotty, 2.50 Galudon, 3.25 Equus Dreamer, 4.00 Benassi, 4.35 Airtothethrone, 5.10 Montys Soldier.

MARKET RASEN: 1.34 Bushtucker Park, 2.09 School Days Over, 2.44 Erigmoor, 3.19 Secret Trix, 3.54 Snowy Clouds, 4.29 Jay Jay Reilly, 5.04 Betty Baloo, 5.39 Take No Chances.

PLUMPTON: 1.55 Belgarum, 2.30 Mordred, 3.05 Iskar D'Airy, 3.40 Northern Poet, 4.15 AUCUNRISQUE (NAP), 4.50 Love Is Golden, 5.25 The Cathal Don.

SOUTHWELL: 2.05 Just A Spark, 2.40 Yorkshire Terrier, 3.15 Timewave, 3.50 Direct Hit, 4.25 Mountain Warrior, 5.00 Noteable, 5.35 Lord Cherry.

DOUBLE: Aucunrisque and Love Is Golden.


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