Peyekashe scored on his handicap hurdle bow when taking a heavy-ground three-and-a-quarter-mile event at Plumpton last time and can repeat the feat over course and distance in the 14:40. Peyekashe showed little in a trio of outings for Sean Curran in 2008 but returned for his new yard in better form, building on a fifth to the promising Medinas in a novice at Fontwell in early-April when taking the aforementioned six-runner race a little over three weeks later. That was a weak race but he's over been raised 3 lb and looks the one to beat now that Rocky Ryan is a non-runner.
Following Venetia Williams' horses when her stable is in one of its purple patches is a sure way to riches and her Ballintubber Cross (15:10) should be chanced in the first handicap chase at Plumpton this afternoon. A somewhat patchy performer over hurdles (who did go well for today's rider when a good second at Towcester on Boxing Day), Ballintubber Cross shaped as if he needed his recent chase debut for fitness having gone into the race on the back of a four-month absence an experience, making a mistake at the seventh and pulled up not long after. However, Ballintubber Cross should do better now upped in trip, and the fact that he's tried blinkered and has been dropped 3 lb are further reasons to risk him in what is an average contest.
Trevor Wall, who has only a handful of horses under his care at his Harton, Shrophsire yard, can saddled his first winner of the year in the shape of Echo Dancer (16:00) who goes in the two-mile handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys at Uttoxeter today. Granted the six-year-old has been below his best since running third off a 3 lb higher BHA rating over course and distance in November but he shaped reasonably in the face of a stiff task in a claimer at Ludlow a fortnight ago and is not without a chance back in a handicap. Trainer's son Josh has partnered Echo Dancer in all but one of his 20 starts over jumps and is on board again, the pair overpriced at double-figures odds.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Peyekashe @ 4.131/10 in the 14:40 at Plumpton
Back Ballintubber Cross @ 5.79/2 in the 15:10 at Plumpton
Back Echo Dancer @ 12.523/2 in the 16:00 at Uttoxeter
