15:30 Fontwell

Thursday 17 August 2017

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

Finding Miss Fontwell Classic Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 4m 24.3s

Psychedelic Rock³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 117

1/2

Didn't show all that much in four starts in bumpers in Ireland for his previous trainer, but much better over obstacles (stable debut) when scoring by 1¼L in a 2m Worcester maiden hurdle last month. Penalty to carry and upped in grade in a bid to remain unbeaten over hurdles.

Form: 700-01

Monty Massini²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Orr⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams

25/1

Raced freely when posting a rather moderate debut in a Uttoxeter bumper (sixth of seven to Spice Girl) late last month. Should do better over obstacles as his dam won three Point-to-Points, but more likely to be seen to better effect with time.

Form: 6

The Land Agent¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: D L Williams

25/1

No joy in six attempts in Point-to-Points and despite finishing second for Henry Tett on his rules debut at Newton Abbot in mid June hasn't exactly set the world alight in two runs for this trainer since. Makes his hurdling debut after a dismal showing (outclassed) in a Uttoxeter novices chase.

Form: 3P-4254

Ashford Island⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West

50/1

Poor on the Flat (1 from 22) and rated just 41. Shown absolutely nothing over sprint trips lately and very difficult to build any case for on hurdles debut.

Form:

Balancing Time³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: L P Aspell| T: Mrs A J Perrett

8/1

Won back to back contests over 1m4f at Lingfield (AW) over the winter, but has been held back on turf since. Interesting hurdles debutant at this level, and has at least demonstrated a willingness for the battle in the past.

Form:

Iballisticvin¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

9/2

Generally shows his best form on the Flat during late summer, and won three times between August and October 2016. He downed an odds-on favourite on his most recent start at Lingfield earlier this month (1m3½f soft) and comes here on hurdles debut much respected.

Form:

Mamoo⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King

4/1

A 15 race Flat maiden (rated 53) who was beaten 12L on his hurdles debut at Plumpton in May. He should be able to come on for that effort having made several mistakes, but others make more appeal.

Form: 2

Onehelluvatouch⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: P Hide

25/1

In good form on the Flat last autumn winning at Brighton (1m2f good to firm) in first time blinkers and finishing runner-up at Chelmsford in October. Not so pleasing this time around, and has scarcely beaten a single rival in four starts in 2017, so difficult to build a case for on hurdles debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Psychedelic Rock (1/2), Mamoo (4/1), Iballisticvin (9/2), Balancing Time (8/1), Onehelluvatouch (25/1), Monty Massini (25/1), The Land Agent (25/1), Ashford Island (50/1)

PSYCHEDELIC ROCK has a penalty to carry for his July maiden hurdle success at Worcester, and whilst that would be off-putting upped in grade into novice company, this doesn't appear to be a strong race. Iballisticvin would be a few pounds inferior to fellow hurdles debutant Balancing Time on the Flat, but given he represents local trainer Gary Moore and generally saves his best form for late summer could prove the best option for the forecast.