Key questions as Legal History bids for three-timer in Sussex Champion Hurdle

Core Spreads Sussex Champion Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle) | 2m | Class 2 | 4yo+

Can Legal enhance recent history?

The David Pipe-trained Legal History has improved rapidly this season, with the four-year-old winning the last two of his five starts so far in 2019 and climbing to a mark of 126.

That, however, still makes him bottom weight for this £50,000 contest, one his trainer believes the juvenile is fully capable of winning on only his second start in open company.

Pipe said: "He's done very well of late. He'll like the ground and has a good weight to carry so should have a good chance.

"We were pleased with him at Exeter last time, although we did feel as if he had to win that race really. The plan had been for him to win at Doncaster three runs ago – I'm still not quite sure how he got beat that day – but he does seem a much more focused horse now."

That focus could have come from the application of blinkers, which Pipe fitted on the Middleham Park-owned hurdler after his Doncaster defeat. A subsequent formline reading of 211 has Pipe believing the headgear has made all the difference

"Since we've put blinkers on, and the better ground has arrived, he seems to have done a lot better," he said.

Can Castle thrive on Plumpton return?

Neil King is hoping a return to Plumpton will restore the progressive profile of Brandon Castle, who was pulled up in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

In his three starts before that, the seven-year-old had recorded a Plumpton hat-trick, including when winning a handicap hurdle in February by nine lengths.

A six-time winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding and Archie Watson, Brandon Castle has made all in each of his victories over jumps and King said: "He's been in great form this season and loves Plumpton.

Brandon Castle: 'He was a real tearaway last year but he’s a little more settled and friendly now,' says Neil KingCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"We had to take our chance at Cheltenham but the ground went against him and maybe he wasn't good enough, so we've come back to this. The ground should be absolutely fine, there's no problems on that front."

One possible negative could be the absence of Bryony Frost from the saddle, who has partnered Brandon Castle in each of his four starts over jumps.

King said: "We don't have the services of Bryony but we'll get a 5lb claim off his back courtesy of Rex Dingle, which will be a help."

What they say

Peter Bowen, trainer of Wells De Lune
He's probably a bit high in the handicap now. He's come back on a very high mark but we've got to start somewhere. He could find it a bit difficult.

Tom Lacey, trainer of Equus Amadeus
He ran well last time at Ayr but he's going to need a bit of luck in running around a tight track like this. I'd be more nervous about the track than anything else – the ground should be fine.

Chris Gordon, trainer of Baddesley Knight
I'm heading down to Plumpton on Saturday to check the ground. If it's legitimately good ground then he'll run, and hopefully run well. He's in good form.

Gary Moore, trainer of Beat The Judge
The ground was against him last time and he lost a shoe in the race, that's why he was pulled up at Aintree. It's as tough an ask here as it was then I think, it's a very tough race. He does want quick ground so that should suit and I don't think he's without a chance.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Mister Universum
He's dropped down to a winning mark and the track and ground will be ideal. He has an each-way chance.

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