15:55 Fontwell

Sunday 24 February 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2515:5516:2516:55

Netbet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 37.6s

Notre Ami^t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: N J Gifford| OR: 117| C

12/1

Improved from mid-February last year but has to do so from a much lower base this time. Tailed off on return to hurdling a month ago and tongue-tie fitted this time.

Form: F23330

Coastal Drift³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 116

6/1

Only ordinary form in novice and maiden company but open to significant improvement now handicapping. Check the market for further clues.

Form: 7-5P3

Smart Boy^p1⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Henry Platt⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Jack Barber| OR: 114

10/1

Shaped well here on October return but tailed off both starts since and cheekpieces applied now. Still hard to recommend.

Form: 321-5PP

Seaston Spirit^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 108| C

9/2

Overcame errors to score here over 2m3f (heavy) last year. Returns from an unsuccessful spell over fences and nicely weighted if back to his best and he seems to handle any going.

Form: B0F447

Sheila's Fancy²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: M J Attwater| OR: 107| CD

10/3

Switch to handicap company saw him improve greatly to score over C&D. Will be a lot shorter than 33/1 this time and hard to rule out a repeat.

Form: 4801

Don't Tell George¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 105WS

20/1

Wore a first-time tongue tie last time (return from a wind op); shaped as if in need of the run and a reduced mark. His mark has fallen by 3lb here but he did finish well held last time and his previous form was fairly modest even in this grade.

Form: 0444-8

Ostuni^t1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 100

4/1

Stopped quickly last time but it was still a step in the right direction. Tongue-tie should help and he looks interesting on handicap debut.

Form: 8-0084

Alliteration³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: James Bowen| T: J Hughes| OR: 108

33/1

Has shown some ability and interesting now stepping up in trip with top rider engaged. Down to a more realistic mark and cannot be ruled out.

Form: 56238

Cracker Jak²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: M G Nolan| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 94

5/1

Improved effort when supported on handicap debut last time. 2lb lower but taking on better horses and others look more likely.

Form: 450693

Non-Runners

Dandolo Du Gite⁵⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: N D Fehily

Forecasts

Sheila's Fancy (10/3), Ostuni (4/1), Dandolo Du Gite (4/1), Seaston Spirit (9/2), Cracker Jak (5/1), Coastal Drift (6/1), Smart Boy (10/1), Notre Ami (12/1), Don't Tell George (20/1), Alliteration (33/1)

Few of these can be supported with confidence but Sheila's Fancy landed a similar race last time and could well defy a penalty. However, Paul Nicholls' OSTUNI makes his handicap debut following an improved effort last time. A tongue-tie may rectify whatever stopped him in his tracks last time and a mark off 100 looks realistic. Alliteration makes each-way appeal with James Bowen on board, whilst Coastal Drift is a potential improver now handicapping.