Plumpton 4:08 Result

Top-rated at 126, a McManus/Pauling/Cobden combination that carries real stable confidence, and the form figures show a recent win (P1) last time out after a below-par blip, suggesting improvement and that connections have found the right conditions. Cobden's booking on a small-field handicap hurdle is a strong signal. Eternal Angel (120) is the obvious market rival with a solid recent record (-12132) but is already 6lb behind Mojito on official ratings and hasn't shown the same scope for progression that a lightly-raced, well-bred 4-year-old stepping up in trip/grade can offer. Zillow's form is patchy (00-7P0) and Nap Hand, while progressive (38-221), is 8lb lower rated and unproven at this level against the top-weight. Gower Prince is held on ratings despite being in-form. With only five runners, this looks like a match between the two market leaders, and the case for Mojito is that a talented, well-connected 4-year-old with a Grade success in its recent past and a leading rider booking offers more upside than the older, more exposed Eternal Angel. The formful move to Pauling's yard and Cobden claiming the ride suggests they see this as a good opportunity race for a horse open to more improvement than its rivals.