14:35 Fontwell

Tuesday 26 December 2017

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

Winner Plant And Access Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 45.30s

Knocknanuss⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124| BF

5/4

Won July 2015 Killarney bumper which had subsequent Grade Two winners in second and third before missing nearly two years. Won hurdles debut at Plumpton before seconds next twice at same venue racing keenly in each. Interesting switched to handicap.

Form: 121/122

Le Precieux³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: A Glassonbury| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124

33/1

First start for 615 days on debut for this trainer at Ascot last month and showed very little to be encouraged about there. Hard to summon enthusiasm, albeit has won in native France before.

Form: 52/510-0

Vicenzo Mio^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 122| D

8/1

Never really lived up to expectations of smart French form for Paul Nicholls. Well beaten on return in debut for this yard at Sandown but better effort latest at Newbury behind Old Guard at 50/1. Each way chances today.

Form: 3/833-86

Its'afreebee^b1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Ian Popham| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

10/1

Behind the top-drawer pair Yorkhill and Yanworth when third in the 2016 Neptune Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Mixed bag last season over fences and well below par this term over hurdles. Blinkers now added however and dangerously well handicapped.

Form: P7-P055

Notre Ami³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 120| CD

6/1

Bumper winner here but unsuccessful thus far over hurdles. Showed useful form in all three however and there could prove to be mileage in this opening handicap mark with further improvement possible.

Form: 5/12-446

Broughtons Rhythm²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 112

12/1

Gained first hurdles success with final run last term at Uttoxeter. Switched stable since but started new season with disappointing sixth of seven at Kempton. Only 2lb higher here than Uttoxeter win so better is expected.

Form: P5431-6

Champagne George⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 108| CD

10/1

Lightly raced gelding has won twice, a bumper and novice hurdle both at this course. Pulled-up on return at Lingfield which was his handicap debut. Eased 4lb and fitter today so better effort likely.

Form: B4131/P

Rafafie³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 105| BF

9/2

Battling success to end last term at Chepstow but thus far not built on that this term over further. Step back here could help but probably high enough in handicap.

Form: 7521-53

Forecasts

Knocknanuss (5/4), Rafafie (9/2), Notre Ami (6/1), Vicenzo Mio (8/1), Champagne George (10/1), Its'afreebee (10/1), Broughtons Rhythm (12/1), Le Precieux (33/1)

Switched to handicaps today KNOCKNANUSS can regain the winning thread. This classy bumper performer still holds plenty of ability and could prove capable of further improvement given his relative inexperience over hurdles. Its'afreebee is respected and at his age he should still hold all ability which makes him a very dangerously handicapped horse and blinkers are a most interesting addition. Broughtons Rhythm must bounce back but he is off a useful mark if doing so.