Fontwell Park RaceBets Oktoberfest Novices' Chase

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 27.0s

Black Corton^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| C

4/7

Course winner (2m1½f) on his second start over fences in June, he was edged out by today's rival Forever Field by ¾L at Worcester (2m4f) subsequently. He has since bolted up by 13L over an even longer trip at Worcester (2m7f) when beating just a single realistic rival, and faces a similar task this afternoon on 6lb better terms (with rider's claim factored in) with Forever Field.

Form: 214-121

Forever Field⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

6/4

134 rated hurdler who initially proved slightly disappointing over fences, and was beaten by a stablemate of Black Corton at Kempton in early May (Bagad Bihoue). However, was able to make it third time lucky when holding onto a dwindling advantage to see off Black Corton over 2m4f at Worcester latest. A 6lb turnaround at the weights and a slightly longer trip will play to the advantage of his market rival.

Form: 135-221

Velvet Cognac^t⁴⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 107| BF

20/1

Not raced under rules since May 2015 (for Warren Greatrex), but did show some ability over hurdles without winning; albeit not to the level of this opposition. Was a dual 3m scorer in Point-to-Points for Alan Hill in March 2016, and a runner up on his last two starts, but returns to rules racing from a lengthy break (May 2016) in at the deep end.

Form: 11/22-

Forecasts

Black Corton (4/7), Forever Field (6/4), Velvet Cognac (20/1)

Very much a case of flicking the coin and waiting to see if it comes up heads or tails with precious little to choose between old rivals Black Corton and FOREVER FIELD. However, we'll choose to side with the Nicky Henderson trained seven-year-old and hope that Nico De Boinville can harness his keeness and get the pace right from the front end at a track which can often suit those seeking to make all.