14:10 Fontwell

Wednesday 12 June 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Visit attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 37.6s

Shimba Hills^p,t¹⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 94WS

16/1

His two hurdles wins came in consecutive races over 2m back in 2016/17 but he's been disappointing and rather underwhelming since then. On the evidence of his recent starts any ability that he retains is minimal; returns from wind surgery.

Form: 327/45P-

Black Lightning^b1⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 94WS

3/1

Gradually falling to a mark that looks more commensurate with his form having shown some fair form in bumpers (little impact over hurdles so far). Well held in handicaps so far; now returns from a wind op with blinkers on first-time.

Form: 350679-

Eddy^t⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 92| BF| D

15/8

Knocking at the door of late although whether he can run as well away from Uttoxeter (scene of some of his best form) is another question. Found one to good on his last start there (started run too late); due to go up 5lb, 0-4 around here.

Form: 506-P22

Solar Glory^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: N J Gifford| OR: 91

14/1

Shaped better than the distance he was beaten over 3m2f here last time his suspect stamina wearing thin on handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces. Off the same mark here (due to drop 3lb in the future); not ruled out back over shorter.

Form: 78533-7

Ormskirk^b²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 89

8/1

Taken time to find his form with this yard but has in the last couple of starts started to look a little more like his old self. Admittedly most of his form is modest but his third at Newton Abbot (2m2f) last time was encouraging; well weighted.

Form: 09004-3

Spendable³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: M Goldstein| T: P York| OR: 85

50/1

Well held in bumpers/novice hurdles she failed to make any sort of impact on her handicap debut last time at Kempton (2m5f, good/firm) after a six month break. Immediately dropped 8lb by the handicapper she makes very little appeal.

Form: 48977-8

Pray For A Rainbow^b,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 85| BF

6/1

Hard to say he's exhibited much to get excited about in his last two starts over fences (remains a maiden in that sphere). Returns to hurdles having been in good heart in this discipline in the spring; consistent but hard to win with.

Form: 4233-44

Velvet Voice⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 84

33/1

Disappointing and modest at best on the Flat (0-14) it's hardly been a different story over hurdles with the form equally limited. Now makes her debut in handicaps in this sphere; hard to believe that she will make a significant step forward.

Form: PP55-

Given Name¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 81

25/1

Three AW runs for Richard Hannon yielded next to nothing; hurdles form for this yard is measured in the same way including in handicaps the last twice. However he was given a ridiculous mark (93) to start with; now fallen to a more acceptable perch.

Form: 677-65

John Biscuit⁷⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 70

9/1

Approaching the veteran stage now and a long time since he showed any form that would give him a chance even at this lowly level. Looked ring-rusty after four months off last time and encounters another absence here.

Form: 66/5850-

Non-Runners

Kilcaragh Boy³³

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: R J Armson J: Philip Armson

Forecasts

Eddy (15/8), Black Lightning (3/1), Pray For A Rainbow (6/1), Ormskirk (8/1), John Biscuit (9/1), Solar Glory (14/1), Shimba Hills (16/1), Kilcaragh Boy (16/1), Given Name (25/1), Velvet Voice (33/1), Spendable (50/1)

Nothing that has standout credentials in this with Eddy the most in form of these having just been touched off at Uttoxeter last time but that’s his “home” track and he’s 0-4 here which slightly dents confidence in him. Ormskirk delivered an improved effort last time and should get into the mix along with Pray For A Rainbow that duo having sound enough claims. Nick Gifford is doubly represented and it may pay to take a chance with his SOLAR GLORY back in trip on just his second handicap start having shaped a little better than his finishing position suggested last time.