18:05 Fontwell

Thursday 17 May 2018

All17:0017:3018:0518:4019:1519:5020:25

Peter Mendoza Memorial 'Placepot Pete' Novices' Hunters' Chase

Off time: 18:06 | Winning time: 6m 43.5s

Herbert Park²³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Alford| OR: 121

7/4

In good form at present, winning last two, and value for more than neck win at Exeter last time as he idled when left in front. Stays this far and won't mind the ground, so has to be strongly considered.

Form: 2P4/411-

Bally River Boy^h1¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss A Stirling⁽³⁾| T: J Slatter

8/1

Won a Restricted at Maisemore Park last week, making most to beat a fair yardstick in second. Won't mind the ground, might need a bit more to challenge for top honours but good pilot and should go well.

Form: 32142-1

In A Blue Dust³³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr A Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: N R Wright

3/1

Stays really well and will be suited by a test such as this, has come back after a long absence to win at Cottenham (second a winner since) and Garthorpe. Must be taken seriously here, and a good pace would help his cause.

Form: 121/112-

Just Cause¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: T Gredley⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Owen| OR: 108| BF

9/2

Slipped up when made odds-on for a Members contest at Horseheath latest, has a couple of wins to his name this season and this better ground will suit. Every chance in an open contest.

Form: 1U125S-

Letskeepit Simple¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss K Lyons⁽⁵⁾| T: I Cobb

33/1

Seems to be improving and took an Open at Northaw easily last time, capitalising on jumping mistakes of others. Likely to need a bit more here but going the right way and has place chances.

Form: P63U2-1

One More Tune⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss A Goschen⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Bradley| OR: 109

20/1

Won one at Larkhall in December by the minimum margin but the second is no great shakes, and the balance of his other form suggests he may struggle here.

Form: 1P154-U

Sidbury Hill^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Rawlins| OR: 106

7/1

Had ability for Seamus Mullins under Rules, has been contesting some decent Opens this year without ever threatening and might find this easier. Still needs to refind best form though.

Form: 1F/3P43-

Stars Royale²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr W Hickman⁽⁷⁾| T: Cynthia Woods| OR: 92

66/1

Very easy winner of a Restricted at Penhurst but that was a weak affair and only other win in the last year came in a match. Likely to find some of these too quick for him.

Form: 1/66341-

This Breac^h1¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Richard Collinson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Pennock

33/1

Won a weakish affair at Horseheath after a couple of poor efforts, so has at least found a bit of form now. Connections much respected so not discounted.

Form: 532PP1-

Forecasts

Herbert Park (7/4), In A Blue Dust (3/1), Just Cause (9/2), Sidbury Hill (7/1), Bally River Boy (8/1), One More Tune (20/1), This Breac (33/1), Letskeepit Simple (33/1), Stars Royale (66/1)

A few of these hold chances in a open looking race. HERBERT PARK sometimes looks like he's got his own ideas, as he did when idling at Exeter last time, but he's got plenty of talent with it and gets the vote. In A Blue Dust has come back from a layoff as good as ever and looks the main threat. Letskeepitsimple and One More Tune can fight out third.