15:35 Fontwell

Sunday 9 September 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4017:10

Reta And Michaels 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 4m 42.0s

Robin Des Mana¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 124

66/1

Landed a couple of weak hurdles events when with Gordon Elliott, with the most recent win coming in a Southwell seller. Well held for new yard, however, and is high in the weights back in a handicap.

Form: PP-1133

Maquisard¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124

2/1

Won off 4lb lower at Huntingdon in March before falling at Aintree. Back to form on the Flat at Goodwood last time, and one to bear in mind.

Form: 36/881F-

Mcgroarty^p1,t¹⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123

4/1

Won twice as a novice last summer, but well held in a jumpers' bumper after a break, and failed to justify market support over hurdles at Newbury in March. Cheekpieces added to usual tongue tie now.

Form: 211765-

Mellow Ben¹¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 117| BF| C

9/2

Improved to win handicap hurdle off 7lb lower mark here in April, and better form when second at Plumpton subsequently. Not so good last time, and returns from a lay-off needing to be at his best.

Form: 5631-25

Nachi Falls^b,t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: N J Hawke| OR: 113| C

13/2

Well handicapped on pick of his form, but he's returned from a break looking out of sorts, and ran poorly when tried in blinkers last time.

Form: 42P-87F

Sensible Friend¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Aspell| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 106

13/2

Just fair form in qualifying runs over timber, but has improved a little since handicapping, and career-best effort when 6L second of seven to Whatthebutlersaw over 2¾m here last time. Still unexposed, and respected.

Form: 884-442

Sea's Aria¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: James Bowen| T: M R Hoad| OR: 102

9/1

Has become well treated, and built on promise of previous run when 6 lengths second of twelve to Mr Fickle over C&D last time, despite losing both front shoes. Likely to make a bold bid.

Form: 7-93642

Non-Runners

Novis Adventus⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: Harry Reed

Poetic Lady³³³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: N P Mulholland J: N D Fehily

Forecasts

Maquisard (2/1), Poetic Lady (7/2), Mcgroarty (4/1), Novis Adventus (4/1), Mellow Ben (9/2), Sensible Friend (13/2), Nachi Falls (13/2), Sea's Aria (9/1), Robin Des Mana (66/1)

Harry Reed's claims helps offset the effect of a penalty on NOVIS ADVENTUS, and he will go very close if in the same form as last time. Sensible Friend is gradually improving, and will get involved with a repeat of his latest second here, and Sea's Aria is another respected on recent course form, where he had the excuse of losing both front shoes on his latest outing.