14:05 Fontwell

Sunday 19 November 2017

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

totepool Southern National Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 7m 33.9s

Mosspark²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 135

14/1

Well beaten sixth in this race last year and would pull up in his only subsequent race of the campaign. Staying on fifth at Wincanton on reappearance over 1f shorter was encouraging last month however so better expected this year.

Form: 51/96P-5

Rathlin Rose^b²¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 134| BF

10/1

Won three of first four over fences last term before pulling up in a valuable contest at Haydock (finished lame). Always looked like a genuine stamina test such as this would be relished so big contender for in form trainer.

Form: 31/411P-

Cresswell Breeze^t²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130

7/1

Just over two years since she last won although ran plenty of competitive races last winter before two midfield runs in valuable Punchestown handicaps. Handicap mark remains high enough to limit her appeal.

Form: 525298-

Shelford^p¹²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| BF

5/1

Won a three runner race on his chasing debut at Towcester and placed in all five subsequent starts including valuable summer contests last twice. Softer ground and longer trip not concerns and looks likely to continue his progress.

Form: 122-223

Azure Fly^p,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 123

12/1

Likable individual who won on reappearance at Newton Abbot where his near endless stamina saw him wear down his rivals late on. Well beaten subsequently at Cheltenham and this mark looks high enough in a race this competitive.

Form: 33P4-16

Coolking²³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| C| D

12/1

Landed a hat-trick earlier this year when blinkers seemed to focus him but paid a heavy price handicap wise and was pulled up when last seen. Blinkers not fitted today and ground not as deep as he seems to favour.

Form: P/5111P-

Bugsie Malone²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 121

7/1

Ended last season in good form with two seconds following a win at Kempton. Ran well again on return at Plumpton when again second before falling when beaten at Cheltenham. Suggest handicap high enough and unproven over such trip.

Form: 5122-2F

Fergal Mael Duin²¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 121| C

5/1

Second in this race last year and always seems to run well here. Lost his way subsequently but that has aided him to arrive with a 4lb lower mark which surely makes him a leading contender if he bounces back on reappearance.

Form: 1295P7-

Morney Wing^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 119| D

11/1

Well beaten fourth in this last year but subsequently won over 3m4f at Plumpton. Unseated on return at Cheltenham and ground may not be soft enough here. Bit to find based on last year's race.

Form: PP453-U

Cyclop^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: L P Aspell| T: David Dennis| OR: 114

11/2

Third in this last year and 5lb better off with runner-up Fergal Mael Duin this time round. Reappearance at Aintree quite disappointing but should bounce back given his relative youth and capable of going well at a nice price.

Form: 3F624-8

Forecasts

Shelford (5/1), Fergal Mael Duin (5/1), Cyclop (11/2), Cresswell Breeze (7/1), Bugsie Malone (7/1), Rathlin Rose (10/1), Morney Wing (11/1), Azure Fly (12/1), Coolking (12/1), Mosspark (14/1)

The Pipe team are in good form and can continue their run here with RATHLIN ROSE who had a good season last time around but always looked like it was a case of the further he went the better. With that in mind this stamina test should be ideal and he gets the vote. Shelford is certainly a danger as a progressive type who could yet have more to come as is last year's runner up Fergal Mael Duin who is lower in the handicap this time round.