'He's a definite player' - which trainer is confident of a big run in a competitive midweek handicap?

There is nothing that gets punters' juices flowing more than a horse with lots of 1s by their name and Plaisir Des Flos fits the bill, having gone unbeaten in four starts since switching to handicaps. He started that run of wins off a mark of 82 and has risen 29lb to a rating of 111.

He slips in off 1lb higher than the ceiling in this 0-110 and will evidently need another career-best to defy this mark on his return from 181 days off the course. However, it’s difficult to gauge the limit of his ability until he is beaten and he might be up to the task.

Mr Hope Street is another who has got into the winning habit and he is on a hat-trick, following back-to-back victories at Market Rasen and Uttoxeter back in the spring.

The Dan Skelton-trained six-year-old is up to a mark 12lb higher than for his first success, but some from his stable have been needing a run and Mr Hope Street has been off 151 days.

Fitness won’t be an issue for Mount Gallion, who had a tune up for this race at Sedgefield last month when beaten 12 lengths into second on his first start since last March. He stayed on strongly without looking like winning, but that should have put him spot on for this and any rain would be welcome. He seems to be at his best when faced with easy ground.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Going update

The going was described as good to soft, soft in places on the hurdle course on Wednesday, with a GoingStick reading of 4.0. The forecast is expected to be dry, with sunny spells.

What they say

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Plaisir Des Flos
He did us proud last season, winning his last four and this looks a good starting point for him. He’s done a lot of work and goes there in good shape. He’s creeping up the handicap and this will determine where we go for the rest of the year.

Mark Walford, trainer of Mount Gallion
He ran well at Sedgefield last time to be second and we expect another nice run with the ground in his favour. He ran poorly at Carlisle once before but we think that was just an off day.

Nick Alexander, trainer of Half Track
He’s been very unlucky and has a string of letters next to his name most recently when unseating at Hexham. The main priority is to come back with a number next to his name rather than a letter but there’s no reason why he can’t run well.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Mr Hope Street
It’s quite a competitive race for midweek with a few multiple winners in there. He’s back off a break but he’s in good form and we expect him to be competitive this season. He’s a definite player in there.
Reporting by David Milnes

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