Can Transmission make it back-to-back wins in £75,000 Sussex Stayers' Handicap Hurdle?

Prize-money of £75,000 has attracted a strong field, with bottomweight Kilbarry Hill catching the eye.

The Olly Murphy-trained seven-year-old is unbeaten this season, and looked a hurdler to keep on the right side when beating I’m On My Way by three-quarters of a length at Uttoxeter last time.

I’m On My Way had landed four of her previous five starts, and it looks a strong piece of form by Class 4 standards.

Admittedly, this represents a step up in class, but a 3lb rise appears generous and there is almost certainly more to come from Kilbarry Hill over the longest trip he has tackled.

Transmission won this race last year when rider Joe Anderson produced one of the recoveries of the year, having lost his irons following the gelding’s mistake at the sixth hurdle.

Joe Anderson clings on to Transmission after an error which should have ended their chances, but instead led to a remarkable victory

Neil Mulholland’s eight-year-old is now officially rated 14lb higher, but three runs over fences this winter suggest he can still prove highly competitive off this mark. He is unbeaten in two starts at Plumpton.

Monmiral, winner of the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last March, is now 7lb higher in the weights.

He confirmed himself to be in excellent heart when runner-up to Strong Leader in the Grade 2 Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November, and it would be no surprise if he proves capable of conceding weight all round.

Cloud Dancer produced a career-best display when powering four-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Adveram at Doncaster last month.

The step up in trip appeared the key to the improvement, and a 6lb rise may not prove to be unduly harsh.

Adveram ran well to finish third at Ayr on Thursday.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Monmiral
I wanted to support the race as it's worth £75,000. He's not the easiest to place because we're disadvantaged in Graded races or carrying a big weight in handicaps. He's fit and hopefully he can go well.

Evan Williams, trainer of Dans Le Vent
He’s been a smashing horse for us. I never thought I’d be running him in this race at his age, but it’s good prize-money. He ran very well at Chepstow over Christmas.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Up For Parol
He ran a mighty race on his comeback in a Pertemps qualifier at Sandown. We took on a well-handicapped horse in Henri The Second, but Super Survivor was third for us that day and has franked the form since when he won at Doncaster. We think we know how best to ride him now.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Kilbarry Hill
He did quite a lot wrong and still won last time, but if he relaxes in the early part of the race he would have a strong each-way chance.

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