The picturesque Sussex venue of Plumpton Racecourse will stage a seven-race National Hunt programme on Sunday, 5 April, with proceedings scheduled from 1:45 PM through to 5:10 PM. The card will feature a balanced sequence of maiden hurdles, handicap chases, and a high-value feature hurdle, with prize money ranging from £7,250 to £65,000. Race distances will extend from 1m 7f 171y to 3m 2f 52y, ensuring a varied and demanding afternoon of racing.
The fixture will bring together a mix of lightly raced prospects and more experienced performers, offering opportunities for progression in the earlier contests while steadily building towards a competitive and valuable feature race in the latter stages of the programme. The diversity in race conditions is expected to provide a comprehensive test across different racing disciplines.
Setting the tone for the afternoon, the opening contest at 1:45 PM – MARES’ MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE), will be run over 2m 4f 83y for £10,000 and will feature five runners. Approaching Storm, Eremenko, Pigeon Forge, and Risk de Cerisy are among those expected to compete, with the race likely to centre on progressive mares aiming to establish early credentials over a testing intermediate trip.
Emphasising stamina early in the card, the 2:20 PM – NOVICES’ HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) will be contested over 3m 2f 52y with prize money of £8,000. A field of four runners comprising Ballyfinn, Sweet Nightingale, Delgany Deadline, and Milan Milos will take part in what is set to be a thorough staying examination, where consistent jumping and endurance will be vital.
Adding further depth to the programme, the 2:55 PM – CHARLOTTE SAVILL MEMORIAL NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) will be run over 2m 1f 136y for £7,250 and will feature ten runners. Among the declared participants are Shalfa, Goodwin Face, Pottersmattyeeehaa, and Voix de Bocelli, in a contest that is likely to be shaped by pace and tactical positioning approaching the final stages.
Maintaining the competitive rhythm of the meeting, the 3:30 PM – SAVILL MEMORIAL HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) will be staged over 2m 1f 76y for £8,000. Five runners are set to line up, including Sea Thrift, Away For The Night, Gold Souk, and Angel’s Dream, with the sharper distance expected to favour agility and precision over fences.
Taking centre stage in the latter part of the afternoon, the 4:05 PM – SUSSEX CHAMPION HURDLE HANDICAP RACE (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) will offer £65,000 in prize money and will be run over 1m 7f 171y. A full field of 14 runners is expected, featuring notable entries such as Serious Challenge, Mondo Man, Helnwein, and Intellotto, making it the most competitive and valuable contest on the card.
Providing a tactical interlude, the 4:40 PM – HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE) will take place over 2m 4f 23y for £11,000. A compact field of four runners—Inca de Lafayette, Person of Interest, Superstylin, and Sanitiser will contest a race where positioning and timing are expected to play a decisive role.
Bringing the meeting to its conclusion, the 5:10 PM – MASTER TRAINER CHRIS GORDON HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) will be run over 2m 4f 83y with a prize fund of £7,250. Eight runners are expected to line up, including Rukaana, Washington Singer, Market House, and Eliza Dolittle, in a staying contest that will test endurance in the closing stages of the day.
Plumpton Race Cards 5 April will present a well-composed and competitive seven-race programme, combining emerging talent, stamina-based contests, and a high-quality feature hurdle within a structured National Hunt fixture.
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