It is rare for the Sussex National to attract anything less than double figures as they did this time, unfortunately a sign of the times.
At least what's coming is that their similarities bring them together, but the contestants are at different stages of their season or indeed their careers, which makes for a complicated puzzle. Let's try to decrypt it.
1. Broken areola
T: Paul Nicholls C: Harry Cobden
Something of an all-or-nothing nature but that's the level where the 'all' tends to come, unlike his 0-150 attempts which amounted to nothing, including another needy appearance at Sandown. This is also his time of year, with all six of his wins having been recorded between January and March, and the only time Harry Cobden has ridden him in the last two seasons that Broken Halo has ever done better than Broken Halo is when he succeeded at Taunton at this level and this trip.
In short, these are the conditions in which he appeared, and he carried huge weights to victory in military races, although during the 23-year history of the Sussex National there has only been one winner at the top weight, in 2019, namely the National Champion The later Welsh The Two Amigos.
2. Unanswered prayer
T: Chris Gordon G: Freddie Gordon (3 lbs)
He's new to marathons but has raised his level for them, complementing his success in the Southern National at Fontwell with an impressive third place in the London National at Sandown, although he was at the end of his rope by the finish on that tough course, besides. His mark looks to be a turning point for him (0/6 at 130+), and Freddie Gordon can only claim 3lbs rather than 5lbs this time.
Unanswered prayers
Of the few runners, Chris Gordon finished first (Go Whatever) and a close second (Blame The Game) at the recent Sussex Nationals, and Unanswered Prayer has taken gold, silver and bronze on his three visits to Plumpton.
3. Jerash
T: Peter Bowen C: Charlie Todd
This will be his 10th race since joining Bowens in April and he almost won the Durham National at Sedgefield in October but did not fare well in the same type of trip at Newcastle last time out, suggesting he is handicapped to the extreme. It has been 40 runners since his last winner in the arena, on November 10, but Jerash at least has a good record of staying over hurdles here since his time with Gary Moore.
4. Dom Marie
T: David Bridgewater A: Caoileen Quinn
A silky smooth winner of this race in 2024 when he looked destined for bigger and better things, but he proved to be a pinnacle rather than a stepping stone, and in fact his reappearance was somewhat troublesome at Ascot even allowing for rust, the first to be beaten. He should be sharper this time, with the help of refitted cheek pieces, and the plan is clearly in place, but he is still effectively 10lbs higher in the handicap (claimed by Caoilin Quinn 12 months ago), and it is somewhat worrying that he was the stable's last winner . .
However, it's hard to forget how good Dom of Mary was back in the day.
5. Eastern Street
T: James Owen C: Mr Alex Chadwick (5 lbs)
There was another turnaround for James Owen, who had barely joined the field when he completed an eight-day hat-trick with some realization. However, the handicapper reacted and perhaps over-reacted, as East Street was swamped (and withdrawn) by Tommy Whittle in Haydock from its revised 1920s sign, not much easier, just a fortnight later.
It's dangerous to throw a horse out of this stable, and a switch in headgear (to flasher) could do something to it, but its last ride can't be completely overlooked and this ride 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 to two regional nationals, hitting heads and necks in the Lincolnshire edition and second to course specialist Movethechains in the Surrey show at Lingfield. Interestingly, he is now lower on the handicap than any of those efforts, and although this is a big ask for a reappearance, he has a fair record the first time around (model numbers 1262), and his trainer has had one return winner this winter with Tapley and Superstylin The gambler should have been two.
Maybe he'll be in the race but what's for sure is that Animal has the tools for the job and a helpful tag.
7. Minilla Blueway
T: Evan Williams C: Adam Wedge
When Atakan won this race in 2023, it was only his third chase, so there is a precedent for rookie Minella Blueway whose third start over fences was his best, having chased Ballykamos at Windsor last month.
Minilla Blueway
He looked like the over 3m resident that day, but that's a different ball game, up against this endurance test, and there are very few comfort factors to take confidence with.
8. Gold Claremont
T: Andy Irvine C: Philip Armson (3lbs)
She finished eighth last year when she was given only 11/2 because she was hot, unlike this time, withdrawn on her last start (in a race she won the previous year), while the stable has only had one winner since May. There is a lot to prove, as the revival is easily explained in its reduced mark and setting (a double tournament winner).
Jimmy's ruling
With questions about everything to a greater or lesser extent, this seems like a race to risk something rather than trusting the top of the market, and as such, it may be worth changing the suitability of the company. animal On his first start of the season, he is of a very likeable type and lower on the handicap than he was when approaching two equivalent events last winter.