16:10 Fontwell

Sunday 29 January 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:10

starspreads.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 25.3s

Lillian⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 105

5/1

Showed promise in bumpers but has yet to deliver on promise over hurdles. Not one for maximum faith but he may be thereabouts for a share of the minor honours is she gets a clear round.

Form: 39-1445

Stiff Upper Lip^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 105

2/1

Should strip fitter after his blow out at this course three weeks ago and, given that he usually benefits from a run, he may be a different proposition today. Emotions will be high after the stable's sad loss of Many Clouds at Cheltenham yesterday but this fellow has plenty going for him in his bid to lift the mood. Solid chance on these terms.

Form: 593/485-

Sutter's Mill^p1¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 105

7/1

Arrives on the back of several decent efforts and, as he is relatively unexposed, he may have a little more to offer on these terms. Interesting to note that he is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time so is certainly worth noting in the betting.

Form: 25451-2

Letemgo^h²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 104

8/1

Dropped to a handy mark but was a touch below expectations last time out and now has a little to prove.

Form: P6-P582

Samdibien^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: James Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 104

25/1

Has been brushed aside without too much effort in his last two outings and looks one to be wary of just for now. He does have time on his side, though, and may do better when faced with an even greater test of his stamina.

Form: 34FP42-

De Bene Esse^b1²⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R Flint| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 102

25/1

Reverts to hurdles after a very modest start of his new yard last time out. The fitting of blinkers is also a cause for concern from a betting perspective.

Form: 88P15-P

Brown Bear¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 99

8/1

Won over fences at Towcester last month but was well held at Plumpton next time out. Reverts to hurdles on the same mark as for his chasing win; so has a feasible chance if he can adapt his style of running.

Form: 63441-6

Thepartysover^t²³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 90

12/1

Has been a frequent visitor to this course and is potentially well treated on the pick of his efforts; even though he hasn't won for a while. He also responds well for today's rider, so plenty of reasons to reserve him a place on the shortlist.

Form: 475614-

Bennys Girl¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: James Banks| T: D L Williams| OR: 87

25/1

Has lacked consistence since switching to racing under rules and needs to prove she has suffered no lasting effects from her fall in a novice chase at Plumpton last October. This smacks of something of a fact finding mission and she is best watch this time around.

Form: 66323-6

General Girling^p¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: S Hodgson| OR: 87

25/1

Goes well at this course but seems to have lost his way just now and may best watched until he starts show more enthusiasm.

Form: 11-9PP1

Day Of Roses¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 86

12/1

Very little worthwhile form since joining his current yard and is very hard to fancy. May do better now he is contesting handicaps but it is likely to be a weak race where he eventually finds a level where he can seriously be considered as a strand out option.

Form: 77/02P7-

Shalianzi^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: M Goldstein| T: C Gordon| OR: 83

25/1

Appeared to post a sulky effort last time and looks one to be wary of for now. He has won here off a 5lb higher mark in the past so obviously has the ability to cope with these terms if he is in the right frame of mind.

Form: 625940

Non-Runners

Albatros De Guye³⁵

Weight: 10-1| Age: 7

T: Miss A M Newton-Smith J: Charlie Deutsch

Forecasts

Stiff Upper Lip (2/1), Lillian (5/1), Sutter's Mill (7/1), Letemgo (8/1), Brown Bear (8/1), Day Of Roses (12/1), Thepartysover (12/1), Bennys Girl (25/1), General Girling (25/1), De Bene Esse (25/1), Shalianzi (25/1), Samdibien (25/1), Albatros De Guye (33/1)

STIFF UPPER LIP would be an appropriately named winner for Oliver Sherwood given yesterday’s tragic loss of his stable star at Cheltenham. However, this fellow is at the right level for his abilities and has a solid chance of posting a welcome win (and momentary distraction) for his yard. Thepartysover likes this course and doesn’t have too much to find on the pick of his best form, while Brown Bear is worth noting in the betting. Support for Sutter’s Mill also has foundations and he is another to bear in mind if significantly backed before the off. 1. Stiff Upper Lip 2. Thepartysover 3. Brown Bear