18:50 Fontwell

Thursday 23 August 2018

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

netbet.co.uk Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:50 | Winning time: 5m 34.90s

Samson^t1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 102| BF| D

11/2

Hurdle winner off a higher mark and his chasing career was coming along steadily until a poor run last time when dropped to 2m. Looked as though something was amiss and the fitting of a tongue-tie suggests there was a problem.

Form: 03-F320

Eric The Third^h⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94

5/4

Gained a third success of the summer last week and showed great improvement to do so. Remains 6lb "well-in" despite a penalty and with a good claimer to assist.

Form: 512121

Indian Reel^b1¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 98

12/1

Won a 2m claiming hurdle last year and has been campaigning over 3m+ in recent starts. Suspicion he wants softer ground and blinkers tried after being tailed off two weeks ago.

Form: 3-35385

Walk Waterford^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 97

15/2

Seven race maiden beaten 18L by Little Windmill when third over 2m7f at Worcester (good) last time out. Wears cheekpieces for the first time and the champion jockey replaces an amateur.

Form: 8223-83

Between The Waters^p,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 95

4/1

17-race maiden who was runner-up last time but has gone up 4lb as a result and doubtful he has the scope to deliver.

Form: 52-4372

Diplomatico²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 83

8/1

Much better at Newton Abbot but he clouted a few and needs to eliminate those errors. The switch to 2m seemed to help him that day and concerns moving up in trip here.

Form: P09-562

Millen Dollar Man^v1³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 81

40/1

Capable at this level on a going day but they are few and far between now. Goes well for this rider but not one for maximum faith.

Form: 22-1U00

Kovera⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: James Best| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 78

33/1

Has shown little under Rules but has won a heavy ground point-to-point. Stable in good form but their other runner has stronger claims.

Form: 9401-P5

Forecasts

Eric The Third (5/4), Between The Waters (4/1), Samson (11/2), Walk Waterford (15/2), Diplomatico (8/1), Indian Reel (12/1), Kovera (33/1), Millen Dollar Man (40/1)

ERIC THE THIRD is hard to oppose as he is officially rated 6lb higher than today's mark and his capable rider is able to claim a useful 5lb allowance. His rivals carry plenty of black marks against them, but Samson has claims if striking a line through his last run and Between The Waters could be the one for the tricast.