Plumpton Sussex National Trends Highlight Huge Age Stat To Find The Winner

Plumpton stages one of their biggest race days on the calendar this Sunday, with the Sussex National over a stamina-sapping 3m 4 1/2f, the main event.

The 2026 running will see last year’s winner Invincible Nao back for more, plus the 2024 runner-up Tommie Beau.

As well as course winners Ken Roy for Paul Nicholls, Transmission, Unanswered Prayers and Sea Invasion – in what looks a decent renewal for the £26k first prize.

See below the key Sussex National trends and Andy Newton’s 1-2-3 best bets for the big Plumpton race.

**NOTE: Sunday’s Plumpton card has unfortunately been abandoned**

Caoilin Quinn Bidding To Win The Sussex National For A Third Year In-a-Row

Of the eight 2026 Sussex National runners, there are only two that haven’t won at Plumpton – Neo King and the 12yo Enjoy d’Allen.

But with theSussex National trends telling us 18 of the last 19 winners were aged between 7-9 – could this be the way to find Sunday’s winner?

With ALL of the last nine winners aged 7 or 8.

Which means of the eight runners, only INVINCIBLE NAO (8), KEN ROY (7), SEA INVASION (8) and NEO KING (8) fit the bill here.

Invincible Nao is also last year’s winner, who landed the race for the Gary and Josh Moore yard – and is back rated just 4lbs higher.

This 8yo has since won at Sandown this season and was also a fair 4th to O’Connell in the London National last month.

Stamina is assured and we know this stayer loves Plumpton, where he’s two-from-two.

The final plus is he’ll have jockey Caoilin Quinn riding, who has made this race his own in recent years.

Quinn has won the last two renewals, having also partnered the David Bridgewater-trained Dom Of Mary to beat another 2026 runner Tommie Beau two years ago.

Sussex National Tips: Take Sea Invasion To Make A Splash 

Invincible Nao is certainly a big player.

We know this race suits and would have been a big target all season, while he also ticks the all-important age stat (8).

While the Paul Nicholls yard continue to be in good form and their Ken Roy, who won at Plumpton in October, is respected too.

But another 8yo that catches the eye is the Anthony Honeyball runner SEA INVASION.

He’s also a course winner here, having won here in May on good ground that he’s likely to get on Sunday.

And is only up a pound for that win.

Yes, he’s since run down the field at Wincanton, but that came over 2m4f and we know he’s more at home over the longer trips.

He’s also another that loves Plumpton – winning here three times (from four starts), with his only other run at the course a second.

Sam Twiston-Davies is also back in the saddle, having won on the horse here last April.

I’ll take Sea Invasion to make a ‘splash’ back at his favourite track, with last year’s winner Invincible Nao a big danger.

🥇SEA INVASION
🥈INVINCIBLE NAO
🥉KEN ROY 

You can also see Andy Newton’s daily horse racing tips – including NAP, NB, Lay of the Day and his hot trainers.

Key Sussex National Trends and Stats 

Sussex National Runners 2026 

Sussex National Race Details 2026

📅Date: Sunday 4th January 2026
⌚Time: 2:35pm
🏇Racecourse: Plumpton
🔄Trip: 3m 4 1/2f
💷Winning Purse: £26,405
📺 TV: Sky Sports

 Sussex National Since 2016

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