16:50 Fontwell

Friday 29 March 2019

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:20

Millstone Landscapes Charity Prize Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 5m 1.50s

Turban³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 96| CD

11/1

A shadow of his former self he did manage to win twice last year taking advantage of a fall in the weights each time (plus keeping mistakes to a minimum). His five starts since his last run have proved rather moribund though; very laboured last time.

Form: 145654

Shintori¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 94

5/2

Proved to be a hard horse to get to grips with (extreme hold-up tactics have to be used; finds little in front). That plan was executed perfectly at Plumpton in December but hasn't quite worked since; sure to travel well; finishing effort a doubt.

Form: 361435

Edgar^v²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 93

8/1

Given a chance by the handicapper at Leicester (penultimate start) and took it winning a poor race with authority; made all. Failed to follow up that victory here last time but may have been unsuited by testing conditions; can't be written off.

Form: 452/213

Vexillum^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 91| C

5/1

Tends to switch between disciplines (chase winner over shorter; last win) but despite some promise last time does have a long losing run to cope with. If that Wincanton run (off a break) can be believed then he should be capable off a good mark.

Form: 340363

Truckers Tangle⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 88

11/4

Modest enough over hurdles he's shown some ability over fences finishing runner-up on a couple of occasions. Didn't show his best side under pressure last time (flashed tail); may not be the most straightforward.

Form: P-25242

Bally Lagan^b²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 85

8/1

From a stable that are having a torrid season (6-132) he hinted at a revival when second to Waikiki Waves (runs in the 3.45) last time at Leicester. Failed to convince with his finishing effort (not for the first time); potentially well handicapped.

Form: 66PP72

Bajardo^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Jamie Bargary| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 79

25/1

Twice a winner over fences back in 2017 but hasn't matched or been near that form since. Fared very poorly last time out (first run back from a wind op); finished well beaten and work to do with Bally Lagan who finished second.

Form: 3-88684

Grayhawk^p,t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell| OR: 64

16/1

Hardly sparkled over fences since joining this yard, finishing last of five and falling on the other occasion. Back over hurdles last time without his usual headgear but failed to make much of any impression; others make more appeal.

Form: 1-395F7

Forecasts

Shintori (5/2), Truckers Tangle (11/4), Vexillum (5/1), Edgar (8/1), Bally Lagan (8/1), Turban (11/1), Grayhawk (16/1), Bajardo (25/1)

Hard to find a profile that really appeals here but Nick Scholfield got the best out of SHINTORI at Plumpton in December and with similar kid gloves treatment around this idiosyncratic course another win may be on the cards. Edgar with underfoot conditions more to his liking could well bounce back whilst both Vexillum and Bally Lagan are off marks that they really ought to be capable of winning off if putting their best foot forward. Truckers Tangle isn’t especially straightforward but in a weak contest he does have a chance of breaking his maiden.