15:45 Fontwell

Thursday 15 February 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Happy Birthday Sarah Cotty Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 5m 21.20s

Navajo War Dance²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁷⁾| T: A Stronge| OR: 107

12/1

Appeared to regress on the Flat last year (looked temperamental) and nothing in three runs over hurdles to turn tables. Marked improvement called for now appearing in a handicap for the first time over jumps.

Form: 837

Radical Archie⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 105

8/1

Not entirely convincing but certainly has shaped with some degree of promise at times in maiden/novice hurdles. Back from short break and open to doing better now sent handicapping.

Form: 466-7P

The Green Ogre^b²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 105

7/1

Back from a 624-day absence this season and has shaped with some purpose since reverting to hurdles. On a very useful mark if able to reproduce his best and some signs lately that might happen.

Form: 31/8P55

Goldslinger¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: A Glassonbury| T: G & J Moore| OR: 104

10/1

Disappointing at times in four starts over timber for previous yard, including when supported, and lost his way on the Flat during 2017. First start for Gary Moore (one of two for yard) and merits a betting check.

Form: 38/55-

Tactical Manoeuvre^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 99| D

11/4

Career-best when landing 2m3f soft-ground conditionals event at Taunton 11 days ago, under pressure to do so. Gets in here off the same mark (due to go up 5lb) and rider takes a handy 5lb off to boot. Player.

Form: 3P1P-41

Minellatillmorning¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 99| D

2/1

Improved effort on handicap bow at Taunton (2m3f, soft) recently when landing conditionals event in good style. Due a 9lb hike in future and looks to take advantage here. Obvious contender after that improved showing.

Form: 34-4791

Prettylittlething^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 94

12/1

Winner over fences at Newcastle (2m5f, good) in June but mare has been mostly toiling since. Tailed off in Huntingdon conditionals event over timber last month, stable appear to have stronger claims with Minellatillmorning in this field.

Form: 545588

Willshebetrying⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: M R Hoad| OR: 88| CD

12/1

Defeated Project Mars to win conditionals C&D event two starts ago, but was pulled up on her return last time. Handles underfoot conditions and has the assistance of the season's top claiming rider if able to bounce back and remains fairly treated.

Form: 5453-1P

Silver Ticket³²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 85

25/1

Nine-race maiden, beaten out the gate here in March when last spotted and no obvious reason for turnaround on return, despite getting 6lb back from the assessor.

Form: P/035P0-

Forecasts

Minellatillmorning (2/1), Tactical Manoeuvre (11/4), The Green Ogre (7/1), Radical Archie (8/1), Goldslinger (10/1), Navajo War Dance (12/1), Prettylittlething (12/1), Willshebetrying (12/1), Silver Ticket (25/1)

A pair of unpenalised Taunton scorers likely to frame the market here, with MINELLATILLMORNING earning the call. He was a notable improver on his handicap bow in a conditionals contest last time and should be able to add to his tally with Noel Fehily taking over in the saddle now. Tactical Manoeuvre will make a race of it having won the second division of the same conditionals event 11 days ago. That race perhaps lacked great depth and, despite the rider's claim, he may settle for second best. The Green Ogre and Willshebetrying are worth close scrutiny in the betting.