Racecards
15:10 Fontwell Park
E.B.F. 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class E )
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Form 4F11F0
- Age 5
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
led, ridden 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last, finished tired
- Form 00-F00
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey J Tizzard
always behind, pecked and went left 1st, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
- Form 6P-0P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Winkworth
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
- Form P/130-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up towards rear, headway on bit from 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, pushed clear from last, comfortably
- Form 00-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Winkworth
- Jockey P Hide
held up towards rear, ridden 4th, headway 5th, soon weakened, pulled up approaching 2 out
- Form 55/0660
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer T P McGovern
- Jockey C Murray
held up in touch, ridden before 6th, soon weakened
- Form P213-60
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up in mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
- Form 3F2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
held up in touch, jumped slowly 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
- Form 65
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
- Form 20-2225
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
chased leader, reminder after 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form 50-500
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer M Madgwick
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
held up towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened
Verdict
Not quite the quality we were promised at the five-day-stage but Escompteur has a favourites chance ahead of Spartan Place and Twenty Degrees. A winner on his first British start at Bangor and a subsequent odds-on victor at Plumpton, Escompteur was highly tried at Sandown last time out. Under the circumstances, that wasn't a bad effort and today's race does mark a very serious downgrade in terms of class and the price will doubtless be short as a consequence. Spartan Place was arguably a little flattered to finish quite so close to Pole Star but there is a race within his compass in the not too distant future. Twenty Degrees is plenty exposed and would have been better off with our selection had it been a handicap. Connections are evidently hoping for an overnight deluge to aid his chances. Demarco's yard have had a season to forget while anything The Holy Bee achieves over hurdles will be a bonus. Escompteur has to respected on his form thus far and will be short odds to justify our selection on this occasion.