13:25 Fontwell

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

James Todd Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:26 | Winning time: 4m 43.10s

Highway One O One²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 129

8/11

Maiden in point-to-points has made a very bright start under rules with wins in a Newton Abbot bumper and Plumpton followed by seconds here and at Kempton under penalty. Sets the standard here and if he handles softest ground to date will go close.

Form: 3-31122

Booborowie⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: A Stronge

33/1

64-rated maiden on the flat who was effective at around 1m2f. New yard not prolific so best watched on hurdles debut.

Form:

Breslin³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West

66/1

Won once on the level over 1m½f which was as far as he went. Tailed off last on debut in an admittedly warm contest at Ascot where he was 200/1. This not as strong but huge improvement needed.

Form: 6

Canyouringmeback⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: N J Gifford

6/1

Won a 3m point-to-point at Loughrea a couple of months ago when last seen. Second that day finished last on debut under rules so not sure how strong the form was but has potential.

Form: 3-1

Cassivellaunus³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: D Steele

150/1

Tailed off 13th of 14 on hurdles debut at Huntingdon at 200/1 after an 18 month absence since second of two modest bumpers. Huge questions to answer.

Form: 4/9-0

Fenlons Court²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: A Thornton| T: J W Mullins

16/1

Clear signs of ability in three starts under rules and was placed in both bumpers too. Third on hurdles debut at Wincanton followed by a fifth at Lingfield. More needed here but has each-way hope.

Form: 32-635

Jersey Bean²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

3/1

Built on promise of Warwick debut when landing an Ascot bumper to start this campaign. Jumped soundly enough latest when third on hurdles debut at Wetherby. More to come now and rates a leading contender.

Form: 213

Jimmy⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Banks| T: C Gordon

25/1

Distant fourth in a bumper here in April and tailed off on hurdles debut again here in October. Given time since but will need dramatic improvement to feature.

Form: 4-9

Laketour Leader²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe

80/1

Tailed off in all three starts under rules, the latest at 250/1. Surprisingly he did win a point-to-point because on the face of it he is of very limited ability.

Form: P1-4688

Navajo War Dance³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Ian Popham| T: A Stronge

50/1

76-rated 1m2f winner on the flat was beaten 39L at 100/1 when eighth of 14 on hurdles debut at Huntingdon. That looked a decent race so better possible here although reaching the placings still unlikely.

Form: 8

Now Listen Here⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Matthew Batchelor| T: G & J Moore

25/1

Promising enough debut here in June when third of eight despite saddle slipping. Disappointing on return at Plumpton last week when tailed off 10th but should be more to come.

Form: 30

Roll Of The Dice²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

11/1

Point-to-point winner hasn't hit the heights over hurdles so far with him well beaten in all three starts. Latest seventh of 11 at Plumpton suggested he may need further. Others make more appeal.

Form: F1-4507

Min Tiky^p⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Bradstock

50/1

Attempted to make the running but was headed three out and faded into ninth of 12 on hurdles bow at Uttoxeter. Only beat two home in a pair pf bumpers last term and has to prove her ability.

Form: 88-9

Forecasts

Highway One O One (8/11), Jersey Bean (3/1), Canyouringmeback (6/1), Roll Of The Dice (11/1), Fenlons Court (16/1), Now Listen Here (25/1), Jimmy (25/1), Booborowie (33/1), Navajo War Dance (50/1), Min Tiky (50/1), Breslin (66/1), Laketour Leader (80/1), Cassivellaunus (150/1)

HIGHWAY ONE O ONE has made a very good start to his career under rules and can gain a second win over hurdles here. He has a penalty to shoulder but is some way clear of the majority of these on form. Chief danger is undoubtedly Jersey Bean, a bumper winner who ran well enough in his first start over hurdles when third at Wetherby. Fenions Court looks capable of getting involved too.