17 December 2023 , 16:15
1292
0
VENETIA WILLIAMS can continue her excellent run of form with OXYGEN in the Harry Philips Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase (1.10) at Plumpton.
The former French hurdle winner arrived at the Williams stable in October last year, but failed to make any impression in four handicap hurdle starts.
But now the five-year-old, who also finished second over fences in Angers, has been switched to the bigger obstacles, and the move has transformed him.
The grey was well-backed on his return at Lingfield 34 days ago over two and a half miles, and duly cruised to a comfortable two-length victory.
And with the yard continuing to fire in the winners, there’s every chance he will repeat the feat over a half a furlong shorter trip.
An impressive bumper winner last season, GOODWIN (12.40) looks the type to improve on his hurdling debut at the Sussex course, when beaten more than nine lengths by Emailandy in a two-and-half-mile novice event.
He made a few mistakes that day, and with that experience under his belt and with a cleaner round of jumping, the two-mile Revived Inn Novices' Hurdle is there for the taking for the Chris Gordon-trained five-year-old.
Venetia Williams trains Newsboy's nap, Oxygen, at Plumpton on Monday Monday's selections
MUSSELBURGH
12.25 SANOSUKE
12.55 HEART ABOVE
1.25 MAGGIE O
1.55 RESTANDBETHANKFUL
2.25 COPPER FOX
2.55 DR SHIROCCO
3.25 YAKALEO
Newsboy’s Daily Double plus tips on every race from Monday’s four meetings
PLUMPTON
12.40 GOODWIN (NB)
1.10 OXYGEN (NAP)
1.40 MENAGGIO
2.10 TIP TOP MOUNTAIN
2.40 COMMANDING VIEW
3.10 METHUSALAR
3.40 LADY D'ARBANVILLE
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.00 GUSTAV GRAVES
5.30 HANDSOME CHAP
6.00 SOCIOLOGIST
6.30 COMPOSITE
7.00 IPPOTHEOS
7.30 STAR OF ST LOUIS
8.00 BROUGHTONS FLARE
8.30 BRAVE DISPLAY
DOUBLE: OXYGEN and GOODWIN