14:00 Fontwell

Thursday 17 August 2017

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

'Happy Birthday Caitlin And Emily' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 27.45s

In On The Act^p1,t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 98

6/1

A three time winner over hurdles, but yet to show any real signs of ability over fences in six attempts, falling a whopping 22lb as a result. This grade could eventually bring out the best in him, but he can only be watched at present in the first time cheek-pieces.

Form: P446-36

Keppel Isle¹²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 98| D

16/1

Put in an excellent round of fencing when winning on his chasing debut at Kempton in May 2016 (2m2f good), but has been unable to replicate that performance since despite adopting his customary front running tactics. Returns fresh having been absent since racing over hurdles at Kempton in April.

Form: 27/1567-

Saffron Prince¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 97

8/1

Made it tenth time lucky over fences when leading at the last and keeping on well to down Changing The Guard by 2L at Newton Abbot (2m+ good) just over a fortnight ago. That form probably isn't the strongest but comes here with reasonable claims from a 5lb higher mark.

Form: F-44461

Between The Waters^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: W Featherstone⁽⁵⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 97

5/1

One paced ten race maiden under rules, but has made the frame from similar marks over fences on a couple of occasions, including when beaten 15L by Brown Bear at this track (2m5f) on his penultimate start.

Form: 454-324

Firmount Gent^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 92| BF

15/8

Moderate in Point-to-Points for his former trainer (1 from 18), and a 13 race maiden under rules, but like so many formerly disappointing types has found his way to this stable over recent months. Sent off at odds-on at Worcester on stable debut last month (2m4f good) and folded very tamely after racing freely. Drop in trip should help.

Form: 8084-33

Code Of Law²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 89

7/2

A 14 race maiden who has seemingly regressed of late showing precious little over both hurdles and fences in his last two starts at Worcester (2m4f). More required.

Form: U2-34P7

Jump And Jump^p1,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 88

20/1

Seemingly at her best when able to dictate, but her last two efforts back from a break haven't offered too much in the way of encouragement. Cheek-pieces are applied for the first time in an attempt to buck up her ideas.

Form: 3403-P7

Houseparty^p,t1¹¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 73| CD

16/1

Was with John Ferguson early in his career and won a bumper at Huntingdon in April 2012. He's not exactly built upon that promising start and has plenty of letters amongst his form figures, but he did manage to win once more over C&D in May 2015. However, off since May 2016 and pulled up on his last two starts, he couldn't be fancied even allowing for a tongue tie now being fitted.

Form: 5U532P-

Forecasts

Firmount Gent (15/8), Code Of Law (7/2), Between The Waters (5/1), In On The Act (6/1), Saffron Prince (8/1), Houseparty (16/1), Keppel Isle (16/1), Jump And Jump (20/1)

A largely disappointing bunch, with precious little to recommend. Firmount Gent was well found in the market on his stable debut, but Dan Skelton wasn't able to work the oracle on this previously disappointing veteran, but he could feasibly produce a better effort now dropped in trip. In On The Act is becoming very fairly treated, but can only be watched until showing a glimmer of a revival, so with reservations as to exactly what he managed to beat at Newton Abbot recently, SAFFRON PRINCE gets the nod to follow up in a race which looks best avoided.