13:55 Fontwell

Saturday 7 October 2017

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

A D Mechanical Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 6m 31.8s

Fraser Canyon^t²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 98| BF

9/1

His second here just over a year ago remains his best run and although he's run with some credit since then he could hardly be described as progressive. His mark looks fair enough but there remains a doubt about him really needing this trip.

Form: 725643-

Herdswick Holloa¹⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 97

14/1

His bumper and hurdles form is hard to weigh up as he's failed to land a blow so far although handicaps had been expected to see some improvement. That wasn't forthcoming on his first try but not totally written off with a promising claimer booked.

Form: 545P74-

Royale Champ²⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 92

14/1

Well held in a bumper and over hurdles when with her previous yard over much shorter trips. It may be significant that on her first run for a new stable she goes handicapping over a much increased trip; worth watching in the market.

Form: 35753-

Ali Bin Nayef²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Rachael Blackmore⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 92

6/1

Mark looks a little stiff for the Irish raider (can run off 8lb lower in the future) although he would be unexposed at this sort of trip and he has been placed a couple of times. Recent performances have been sub-par but not totally out of this.

Form: 543200

Moonlight Flyer¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Robert Hawker⁽⁷⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 87

14/1

His fourth here in May showed that there may be a little ability there but does have to show more to be of any real interest. Overall his form is poor and others have better claims in this.

Form: 0600-04

How's My Friend^t¹⁹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J G Cann| OR: 87

10/1

Reaching the veteran stage now and will more than likely find a few of these too sharp for him. This looks to be a springboard for a return to chasing over the coming months.

Form: 452/452-

Monty Massini²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

20/1

Takes a marked step up un trip for his handicap debut having struggled to show his best over shorter trips so far; bred to stay very well. Will be no surprise to see a better display here given the more suitable trip with the mark looking workable.

Form: 6755

Flugzeug^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 86| C| D

33/1

Very in-and-out performer who was a winner here in May snapping a lengthy losing run off an 8lb lower mark. Typically failed to build on that run and comes here struggling for form.

Form: 42-13PP

Mount Vesuvius^t⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 85

4/1

Returned to form last time out travelling as he usually does smoothly throughout the race but all his winning form is over shorter and there must be stamina doubts. Sure to go well through the race but may well come up short again.

Form: 353342

Beautiful People^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 81

9/1

There have been some promising efforts in her career but she has yet to score under Rules. On the balance of her form she's one to be wary of here with her overall profile far from convincing.

Form: 4-73835

Roparta Avenue¹⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 77| D

9/2

Successful in a Plumpton handicap last year his progress since has been stilted but on the upside he has fallen in the weights (just 1lb above last winning mark now) and he does stay this trip. Debuts for a trainer who does well here; market watch advised.

Form: 4FPP6-2

Ilewindelilah^b⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: C J Mann| OR: 74

11/1

Started life for a new yard with an unpromising run in August and she hasn't won a race since 2014 although she hasn't been seen that often. Off the bridle a long way out last time and would need to make big strides to take a hand here.

Form: 3P/P09-8

Forecasts

Mount Vesuvius (4/1), Roparta Avenue (9/2), Ali Bin Nayef (6/1), Fraser Canyon (9/1), Beautiful People (9/1), How's My Friend (10/1), Ilewindelilah (11/1), Herdswick Holloa (14/1), Moonlight Flyer (14/1), Royale Champ (14/1), Monty Massini (20/1), Flugzeug (33/1)

One or two that make their handicap debuts here stepping up in trip and they could be the ones of interest in this wide open handicap which kicks off the card. Royale Champ would be one that falls into that group along with Monty Massini and both of those are worth watching in the market for clues as to an improved performance. ROPARTA AVENUE hasn’t shown much of late but a reduced mark and a move to the Chris Gordon stable that does well here could prove to be the catalyst to resume winning ways. Mount Vesuvius will be popular but his stamina for this trip has yet to be proven and he may flatter to deceive again along with Fraser Canyon another who has yet to look as though he needs this stamina test.