One pick for Plumpton on Sunday....

Saturday, 2nd January 2026

One pick for Plumpton on Sunday….

My Saturday selections….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best pick on Sunday’s card at Plumpton….

I’m on NEO KING in the 2.35 – up at 12s & 11s….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

-----

Just the one bet for me at Plumpton on Sunday….

…. I’m backing NEO KING at the 12s & 11s in the Sussex National Handicap Chase (2.35)….

He’s gone close in a couple of these National type races at the lesser tracks….

There was a lot to like about his run in the Southern National at Fontwell in November….

…. he made up tonnes of ground late on and was unlucky not to nab the race in the dying strides….

…. proving that – if nothing else – it is within his scope to land one of these types of races if or when it all comes together….

It was a similar story in last year’s Devon National at Exeter….

…. where he stayed on over the extreme trip to finish second – beaten less than a length at the line….

Like many handicappers he can throw in a wrong ‘un from time to time….

…. and he wasn’t at his best at Kelso in the Scottish Borders National last time….

…. but he remains open to improvement – he’s only had six goes over fences, he’s finished second in four of those, and he’s knocking on the proverbial door….

There are some interesting tweaks in the set-up for tomorrow that encourage me to swing at the price….

For one, the cheekpieces go on for the first time – and they’ll help with focus and concentration….

For another, the claimer’s been taken off, and Ben Jones takes the ride….

…. a case of trading less weight for more jockey….

Evan Williams and Jones have only very recently come together in combination – the latter has ridden for the former just three times….

…. but they did bag a winner together before Christmas at Cheltenham, and this ranks an interesting booking….

Jones is on that same horse that won at Cheltenham – Can You Call – for Williams at Sandown this afternoon….

…. and his only other ride on tomorrow’s Plumpton card tomorrow is also for Williams – a maiden hurdler tackling her first handicap on the back of a 59-length drubbing at Taunton last month….

Neo King looks like the principal reason Jones travels to Sussex tomorrow….

…. and there’s enough to like in the scenario to encourage me in at a decent price….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more as the week goes on….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd