Ayr has been frozen off, but there's an interesting jumps card (for a Monday anyway) at Plumpton, with Sou'wester (2.55) the best bet. He gets in this ordinary handicap chase off a mark fully 45lb below his hurdles rating, and he goes well when fresh so his lengthy absence need not be a worry, especially with his trainer in good form. His last hurdles win came on fast ground but he handles a softer surface well enough.
Jim Best, something of a Plumpton specialist, poses a problem for his followers by saddling three runners in the finale at Plumpton. But with Robert Lucey-Butler aboard Wotchalike (3.25), this looks the one to be on. The gelding did not get the chance to show what he could do for his new trainer when pulled up early on at Exeter after his saddle slipped.
Rigat (3.15) has taken well to the Polytrack surface at Wolverhampton and looks a fair bet to follow up a recent course and distance win. He still appears well handicapped.
