NICHOLAS PLANT can halt the run of "duck eggs" threatening to spoil his reputation by returning to form in the Milton Handicap Hurdle at Carlisle today.
James Goldie's gelding rounded off an in and out campaign last season with his best ever performance - trouncing a field of handicappers by upwards of 20 lengths at Hexham on good ground in May. However, despite that win representing a significant upward movement in the level of his form, it seems to have been forgotten quickly by the handicapper.
Nicholas Plant started this season 11lb higher than at Hexham on a mark of 107. On his first run off that rating he cut little ice at Ayr and he was consequently sent to Kelso with the same result - he finished well down the field after losing touch from four out.
By the time he was stepped up in the handicapper had relented slightly, dropping him 5lb to 102. Conditional jockey Andrew Watt led on the gelding from the third flight to before the last where Nicholas Plant's stamina seemed to wear out - the pair coasted home around 19 lengths behind Able Player in seventh place.
It was the first sign of form from Goldie's gelding in some time but the handicapper was sufficiently unimpressed to lower him a further 1lb to his present mark of 101.
With Watt's claim relieving him of a further 7lb and the half mile shorter trip surely in his favour, Nicholas Plant looks a sound in vestment to strike form at what should be a rewarding price.
Jihaad is similarly weighted - off 10st 3lb, less his conditional's 5lb allowance - and could go close. Although his win from Blazon Of Troy (winner since off a 3lb higher mark) at Southwell last time was his best form, it was achieved without anything to spare and he could be more vulnerable off this 4lb higher mark.
Young Dubliner could be a value alternative to likely hot favourite The Grey Monk in the Hadrian's Wall Novices' Chase. The Strong Gale seven year old, trained near Hovingham by Jeannie Brown, went into many point to point fans' notebooks when an impressive winner over three miles at Witton Castle last season.
Since being switched to race under rules, he has fallen on his debut when assured of second place at Newcastle and come third at Doncaster. He should strip much fitter for those two outings and can go much closer today.
Over at Lingfield, Mark Johnston's Domoor looks a sound bet in the concluding Shanklin Handicap. The gelding has been most consistent since having his attentions turned to the all weather and this November Wolverhampton scorer can follow up.
