17:50 Fontwell

Thursday 23 August 2018

All16:4017:1517:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Josie O'Leary Pineapple Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 4m 16.55s

Competition^t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 124

6/5

Not the best of jumpers but makes up for it with an impressive turn of foot. Has been found another golden opportunity by his trainer who has a 33% strike rate here.

Form: 60/2-P11

Robin Des Mana³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 126

9/2

Claimed out of Gordon Elliot's yard after landing a Southwell seller. Has the highest BHA rating but that flatters him and he has not always looked that reliable.

Form: 2PPP-11

Highly Likely^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: R Woodman

100/1

Modest form on the Flat and has been well beaten in three previous starts over timber. Big improvement required.

Form: 785

Silver Sea¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins

25/1

Useful German Flat winner who achieved a minor milestone in completing the course at Newton Abbot, albeit in his own time.

Form: FF/3

Up The Navan Road^h⁵⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joshua Moore| T: M Roberts

40/1

Tailed off on both starts for this yard and questions to answer after 19 months on the easy list.

Form: 276/

West Drive²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

6/4

Rated 30lb superior to Competition on the Flat and gets 14lb from him on hurdling bow. Stable accustomed to raiding the bookies satchels here so one to note in the market.

Form:

Bit More⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P MulhollandWS

50/1

Runner-up in a point-to-point and sixth of nine in a Stratford bumper when trained by David Phelan. First run for this stable and needs to take a big step forward on hurdling debut.

Form: 8-U26

Cora Sundrop²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex

10/1

Kayf Tara mare, showed promise at Worcester despite the occasional mistake and finishing 21L adrift. Has Richard Johnson again to assist.

Form: 57-62

Reason To Believe²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D G Bridgwater

50/1

Poor Flat maiden who was tailed off at Uttoxeter and who does not stay 2m. Has too many issues to resolve.

Form: 45

Forecasts

Competition (6/5), West Drive (6/4), Robin Des Mana (9/2), Cora Sundrop (10/1), Silver Sea (25/1), Up The Navan Road (40/1), Reason To Believe (50/1), Bit More (50/1), Highly Likely (100/1)

Robin Des Mana carries a health warning as Gordon Elliot trained him to win a poor seller and his current yard had their fingers burnt with another of his cast offs, Tajseer, in 2016. Competition has been well placed to land a couple of similar races and earn a rating of 121. That sets the standard but he has to concede 14lb to Gary Moore's newcomer WEST DRIVE who was rated in the mid-80s on the Flat and should strip fitter for a recent pipeopener at Sandown.