All the hot views as Remiluc bids to give Chris Gordon a second big-race victory

3.45 Plumpton
totepool Sussex Champion Hurdle (Handicap) | 2m | 4yo+ | ATR

County Hurdle runner-up Remiluc heads eight runners in Sussex's version of the hurdling crown, in which his trainer Chris Gordon is chasing a second win in three years after the triumph of Disputed in 2016.

Conditions are sure to be demanding, with the going described as heavy, and Remiluc will find this no easy task, having to carry the steadier of 11st 12lb less jockey Harry Reed's claim of 5lb.

Although he was sent off at 50-1 there seemed to be no fluke about Remiluc's effort at Cheltenham, where he led turning for home only to be caught at the last by fellow outsider Mohaayed.

Gordon said: "Remiluc has been in great order all season and has improved with every run. He gave us a great day at Cheltenham and we expect another good run. There are a couple of unexposed ones in there and he has a lot of weight, but he'll love the ground."

Top of the unexposed list is Early Du Lemo, who is making a swift reappearance just nine days after his belated seasonal return at Newbury. Gary Moore's grey was sidelined for more than a year with injury prior to an excellent second to Sizing Granite in Berkshire, where he had the progressive Moabit back in third.

Prior to his absence, Early Du Lemo was placed twice in the juvenile hurdling division and should handle today's demanding conditions as he won on very soft ground as a three-year-old in France.

Moore said: "It's a very valuable race and Early Du Lemo is at the right end of the handicap so it makes sense to have a crack. He came out of his Newbury run in good shape and providing he handles the track he goes there with every chance."

Vado Forte and Robert Dunne head for victory at Warwick in JanuaryCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Also on the up is the Tom Lacey-trained Vado Forte, who has won two of his last three starts, most recently by nine lengths at Taunton, for which he has risen 12lb.

Although that was in conditions similar to those he will encounter here, the five-year-old is dropping back from two miles and three furlongs.

Lacey said: "We put him in the race expecting it to cut up with all the rain around and it has to some extent. It's great prize-money so it makes sense to have a go, and although he's back in trip I expect him to run well again."

Mark Bradstock's Jaisalmer has won at Plumpton and Fontwell on his last two starts, making just about all the running when beating Distingo by three and half lengths on the second occasion, but is stepping out of novice company for the first time.

Sara Bradstock, wife of the trainer, said: "Jaisalmer seems to like the south east and long may it continue. He's not really built to carry a double penalty in a novice, so we're pitching him in with the seniors for the first time. He's won on heavy ground, so that shouldn't be a problem, although his action would suggest he'll be better on better ground."

Another live contender is Mr Antolini, who sprang a 20-1 surprise on his third start for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last time, for which he is up 6lb.

The ground was officially soft that day, so these conditions will make things tougher. Also successful last time is Colin Tizzard's two-time course winner Kings Walk, who scored for the first time in more than a year at Kempton in February.

The Suzi Best pair Alberta and That's My Rabbit make up the field.

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