15:00 Fontwell
Sunday 26 February 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00
totepool National Spirit Hurdle (Grade 2)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 1  |  2m 3f 33y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  7 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:02Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 48.10s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has some top class form to his name and has often dined at the top table, taking in the Champion Hurdle last year (finished well beaten, but not disgraced) and the Grade 1 Doom Bar at Aintree, but this is more his level. Hasn't really fired over the past twelve months but if new yard can rejuvenate him, would hold a chance. Market may guide.
Well behind Lil Rockerfeller at Ascot when last seen out, but had a fruitful campaign in France during the spring and summer of last year, winning twice at Enghien and only just touched off at Auteuil. That form, whilst solid, still leaves him a way short of what's required here and although both trip and ground are ideal, the places may be the best he can hope for.
Looked very useful as a novice hurdler, and defeat of Sceau Royal at Chepstow on his debut reads all the better after that one's exploits since, Rather in-and-out since, going off a short price to take a competitive handicap at Chepstow but finishing weakly, however Auteuil run reads well. Unseated latest, but best days yet to come, you feel.
Difficult to forget his demolition of a quality handicap field at Ascot last February too quickly, and on the back of that was made second favourite to beat Thistlecrack in the Stayers Hurdle at Aintree. Not jumped with any fluency in two chase starts, but leading chance if bouncing back to that Ascot form of last year, with trip and ground ideal.
Capable of good form on his day, and looked to have Cheltenham's Relkeel Hurdle in the bag when leading at the last but once again he managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory, a familiar tale over the past year when he has thrown good chances away. Trip and ground both ideal, but questions about attitude remain.
Was one of the leading juveniles back in the 2103/2014 season, winning three of his four starts but injury kept him away from the track until reappearing at Ascot last November, running a race full of promise in fourth on ground plenty quick enough. Back on track with latest win at Uttoxeter, and this race was nominated as a possible target after. Any more rain a plus.
Better known as a chaser, and capable of quality form when on song, as when taking the Old Roan handicap at Aintree this season (was well handicapped) but not so good since. May have found trip a bit too far on latest two starts and drop back in trip here may help, but this looks a warm up for the Festival handicaps.
Non-Runners
2
Lil Rockerfeller74
Weight: 11-11|Â Â Age: 6
T: N B King  J: T E Whelan
NR
Forecasts
L'Ami Serge (2/1), Different Gravey (2/1), Lil Rockerfeller (3/1), Le Rocher (9/2), Adrien Du Pont (17/2), Camping Ground (9/1), Third Intention (25/1), Shelford (40/1)
Take the hint that LE ROCHER is bypassing handicaps from what looks a very good mark on his juvenile form to take his chances here. He was looking like he could be top class before his injuries kept him away for a year, but based on his latest win he could be coming back to his best and this was the target nominated after that win. Lil Rockerfeller would run through a wall if you asked him and last year's winner should go well again. Different Gravey is talented but has a little to prove now back over hurdles, L'Ami Serge should go well but maybe we haven't seen the best of Adrien Du Pont yet and he can get in the places.
1. Le Rocher
2. Lil Rockerfeller
3. Adrien Du Pont
Prize Money
1st: £45,560.002nd: £17,096.003rd: £8,560.004th: £4,264.005th: £2,144.006th: £1,072.00
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