Forward Plan

Forward Plan ran a big race to take second place in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster on Saturday in a race in which the pace held up well. No better than mid-division early on, he was still no better than 10th as they rounded the home turn, but he stayed on well from the fourth last fence. He looked a likely winner on the run-in, but he was just beaten by a nose by Annual Invictus, who made all the running in a race in which the third and fourth also raced handily. Forward Plan was the only horse who got into the race from the rear.

It was another career-best performance by Anthony Honeyball’s horse, racing, as he was, off a handicap rating of 129, 4lb higher than the mark off which he won a handicap over this course and distance in December. He obviously goes well at Doncaster, and he has gone well at Southwell and Ayr as well, left handed, but he is just a progressive staying chaser now. He is in the Coral Trophy at Kempton in February, and he will be of interest if he lines up in that. But a 4lb hike for this performance was not harsh, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

Doncaster, 27^th January 2024