It’s rare for the Sussex National to attract anything less than double figures as it did this time, unfortunately a sign of the times.
What comes at least becomes, their similarities bring them together, but the runners are at different stages of their season or career, which makes for a complex puzzle. Let’s try to decipher it.
1. Broken halo
T: Paul Nicholls J: Harry Cobden
Something of an all-or-nothing character, but this is the degree to which the ‘all’ usually came, unlike his efforts in the 0-150s which produced nothing, including his reappearance at Sandown. This is also his time of year, all six of his wins coming between January and March, and the only time Harry Cobden has ridden him in the last two seasons he generated a lifetime best from Broken Halo when he was successful at Taunton at this level and this trip .
In short, these are the circumstances in which he appears, and he has carried huge weights to victory in military races, although in the 23-year history of the Sussex National there has only been one winner of the top class, in 2019 namely the later Welsh National hero Two Friends.
2. Unanswered prayers
T: Chris Gordon J: Freddie Gordon (3 lb)
He is new to marathons but has upped his game for them, following up his success at the Southern National at Fontwell with a good third at the London National at Sandown, although he was running out of steam by the end on that hard course, apart from makes his mark a milestone for him (0/6 when rated 130+) and Freddie Gordon can only claim 3lb this time, not 5lb.
Of just a handful of runners, Chris Gordon finished first (Go Whatever) and a narrow second (Blame The Game) at the recent Sussex Nationals, with Unanswered Prayers winning gold, silver and bronze in his three visits to Plumpton.
3. Jerrash
T: Peter Bowen J: Charlie Todd
This will be his 10th race since joining Bowens in April and he came close to winning the Durham National at Sedgefield in October but was worse over the same type of trip at Newcastle last time, hinting that he is handicapped all the way. It’s been 40 runners since the yard’s last winner, on November 10, but Jerrash at least has a good record of staying over hurdles since his time with Gary Moore.
4. Home of Mary
T: David Bridgewater J: Caoilin Quinn
A silky smooth winner of this race in 2024 when he looked destined for bigger and better things, but that proved to be a pinnacle, not a springboard, and in fact his reappearance was quite embarrassing at Ascot, even allowing for rustiness, beaten first. He should be even sharper this time, aided by overhauled cheeks, clearly the plan is in place, but he’s still effectively 10lb more in the handicap (Caoilin Quinn claimed 12 months ago), and it’s somewhat worrying that he was the stable’s last winner .
Still, it’s hard to forget how good Dom Of Mary was that day.
5. East Street
T: James Owen J: Mr. Alex Chadwick (5 lb)
Another transformer for James Owen, as soon as he joined the yard he completed an eight-day hat-trick with some perceptive placement. However, the handicapper reacted and perhaps overreacted, as East Street was swamped (and withdrawn) in Tommy Whittle at Haydock from his revised mark in the 120s, and this is not much easier, just a fortnight later.
It’s dangerous to let a horse out of this stable, and a change of headgear (to blinkers) could probably do something for him, but his last run can’t be completely ignored and this trip is a step into the unknown.
6. Animal
T: Miss S Smith J: Gavin Sheehan
In the form of his life around this time last year and came close in two regional Nationals, beaten heads and necks in the Lincolnshire version and second only to Surrey-run course specialist Movethechains at Lingfield. Attractively, he is now lower in handicap than for either of those attempts and, while this is obviously a big ask for his reappearance, he has a decent record on first outings (form figures of 1262) and his trainer has had one returning winner this winter with Tapley and the gambled Superstylin should have been two.
Maybe he’ll show up for a run, but what’s certain is that Animal has the tools for the job, as well as a backup tag.
7. Minella Blueway
T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge
When Atakan won this race in 2023 it was only his third chase, so there is precedent for rookie Minella Blueway whose third start over fences was his best, chasing home-grown Ballycamus at Windsor last month.
He looked like a 3m player that day, but this is a different ball game, faced with such a test of endurance, and there are a few too many comfort factors to trust him.
8. Gold Clermont
T: Andy Irvine J: Philip Armson (3lb)
She finished eighth this last year when only 11/2 coming on hot, unlike this time, she was stopped at her last start (in a race she won the year before), while the stable has only had one winner since May. A lot to prove, as the resurgence would be easily explained by her reduced rating and environment (double course winner).
Jamie’s verdict
With questions about everything to a greater or lesser extent, this looks like a race to risk rather than trust the top of the market and, as such, it might be worth checking the ability ANIMAL on his first start of the season, being a very likeable type and lower in handicap than when he was close in two equal contests last winter.
