Junkanoo appeals in Plumpton opener

It often pays to side with Gary Moore at Plumpton and Junkanoo is backed to give the handler his fourth Revived Inn Novices' Hurdle victory in the last 10 years.

A fair performer on the Flat, who scored at Glorious Goodwood as a three-year-old and reached a peak rating in the mid 80s, he massively outran odds of 40-1 when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Ascot last month.

The winner he bumped into that day was Nicky Henderson's highly-talented Doddiethegreat, who possesses a hurdles rating of 131, and with nothing of that calibre in this line-up, there is plenty to like about Junkanoo's chances.

Moving quickly on to the next race on the card and Pepe Le Moko could double his chasing tally in the Harry Philips Birthday Novices' Handicap Chase following an impressive display on his fences bow at Warwick.

Jane Williams' five-year-old thrived for both the switch to the larger obstacles and a step up in distance on that occasion and, although hit with a 10lb rise for that keeping-on 5.5-length victory, he appears to have plenty of scope for progression in this sphere.

It is Lady D'Arbanville who catches the eye in the concluding Strong Flavours Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race.

She was no match for a smart Irish raider when seen in a Bangor bumper in the spring of 2022, but the daughter of Authorized showed plenty of promise and now returns from a long lay-off representing a leading yard which knows how to bring one back from a spell off the track.

Maggie O could be the best bet of the day at Musselburgh, where she bids for back-to-back victories in the Tote.co.uk Five Gold Rings Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old won comfortably following wind surgery at Doncaster 31 days ago and, following a fair 4lb rise, could strike again while the iron is hot.

Also in a rich vein of form is Dr Shirocco, who bids for a hat-trick in the Tote.co.uk Two Turtle Doves Handicap Chase.

Sandy Forster's runner has been good over 4000m recently but, having needed every yard of that trip when getting up here last time, he could be suited by a move up to 4800m at this tight track while at the peak of his powers.

On the all-weather at Wolverhampton, Roger Varian's Debora's Dream could have more to offer now amongst the handicap ranks in the Boost Your Acca With BetMGM Nursery Handicap.

He got off the mark at the sixth attempt over track and trip last time, always doing enough to see off a rival that again finished second on his next start, with some of Debora's Dream's previous form also looking highly respectable. 1400m looks the ideal distance for now and there could be plenty more in the locker, having got the taste for victory.

Also at Dunstall Park, take a chance on Caustic in the BetUK It's Where The UK Bets Maiden Stakes.

Although technically making his debut on the Flat, the Owen Burrows-trained three-year-old has been runner-up in a couple of National Hunt bumpers at Exeter and Doncaster, performing with credit on both occasions. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Monday. Here are the tips.

MUSSELBURGH: 12.25 Sanosuke, 12.55 Got Your Back, 1.25 Maggie O, 1.55 Restandbethankful, 2.25 Copper Fox, 2.55 Dr Shirocco, 3.25 One More Stroke.

PLUMPTON: 12.40 JUNKANOO (NAP) 1.10 Pepe Le Moko, 1.40 Fierce Warrior, 2.10 Special Acceptance, 2.40 Commanding View, 3.10 Who Is That, 3.40 Lady D'Arbanville.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.00 Suanni, 5.30 Handsome Chap, 6.00 Footsy, 6.30 Caustic, 7.00 Debora's Dream, 7.30 Distinction, 8.00 Coconut Bay, 8.30 Brave Display.

DOUBLE: Junkanoo and Pepe Le Moko (Plumpton Race 1 and 2).