It is rare for the Sussex National to attract anything less than a double figure field as it did this time, unfortunately a sign of the times.
At least what comes becomes, their similarities bring them together, but the runners are at different stages of their season or indeed their careers, making 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 kind of thing, but this is the extent to which 'everyone' has tended to come, unlike his 0-150s efforts which have been nothing, including his reappearance at Sandown. This is also his time of year, with 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 enormous weight to victory in military races, although in the 23-year history of the Sussex National there has only been one winner in the top category, in 2019 and later Welsh national hero Two Amigos.
2. Unanswered prayers
T: Chris Gordon J: Freddie Gordon (3 lb)
He is new to the marathons but has raised his game for them, following up his success at the Southern National at Fontwell with a fine third at the London National at Sandown, although he was close to the end on that hard course, except that his rating appears to be a turning point for him (0/6 when rated at 130+) and Freddie Gordon can only claim 3lb this time, not 5lb.
Unanswered prayers
Of just a handful of runners, Chris Gordon finished first (Go Whatever) and a close 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 the Bowens in April and he almost won the Durham National at Sedgefield in October, but was worse over the same sort of trip at Newcastle last time, suggesting he is handicapped to the finish. That's 40 runners since the last winner at the yard, on November 10, but at least Jerrash has a good record in hurdles from his time with Gary Moore.
4. House of Mary
T: David Bridgewater J: Colin Quinn
A silky smooth winner of this race in 2024 when he was looking for bigger and better things, but it proved to be a highlight rather than a springboard, and in fact his re-appearance was quite abysmal at Ascot, even with the rustiness of the first loser. He should be even sharper this time, with the help of reworked pegs clearly the plan is in place, but he is still effectively 10lbs higher in the handicap (Caoilin Quinn claimed 12 months ago), and it is a little worrying that he was the last winner of the stable.
Still, it's hard to forget just how good Dom Of Mary were that day.
5. East Street
T: James Owen J: Mr Alex Chadwick (£5)
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 handicap reacted, and perhaps overreacted, as East Street was overwhelmed (and withdrawn) in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock from his revised rating in the 120s, and this is not much easier, just a fortnight later.
It's dangerous to turn a horse out of this stable, and changing the headgear (to blinkers) might do something for him, but his last race can't be completely overlooked 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 closing in on two regional nationals, beaten heads and necks in the Lincolnshire version and second after a specialist Movethechains course in Surrey's performance at Lingfield. Interestingly, he is now lower in handicap than for either of those attempts and, although this is obviously a big ask for his reappearance, he has a good first time out record (number 1262) and his trainer has had one return winner this winter with Tapley and the gambled Superstylin should have been two.
He may take off running, 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 a precedent for rookie Minella Blueway whose third start over fences was his best, chasing home-grown Ballycamus at Windsor last month.
Minella Blueway
He shaped up as a holder over 3m 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 take confidence with 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, stopped at her last start (in a race she won the year before), while the stud has only had one winner since May. Plenty to prove, for all, the revival would be easily explained by her reduced grade and setting (two 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 changing 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 equivalent contests last winter.