13:50 Fontwell

Saturday 5 October 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:4017:15

Visit attheraces.com Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 43.55s

Mauna Kea¹⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: P Gundry| OR: 95

13/2

Improved to win twice in quick succession in December at Taunton and Exeter, including over 3m. Lost his way in the spring however, returns from a break rated 4lb above previous win-mark and has tended to need a run.

Form: 647793-

Velvet Cognac^b,t⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gregory| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 93

22/1

Still to win under rules (0-14), although has won three-times in point-to-points between March 2016 and April 2018 (all at 3m); 3lb higher than when beaten 2½L by Bermeo at this course (3m2f, good to soft) in June over fences.

Form: U-2R225

Quarry Lami^p,t⁷⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M F Harris| OR: 92

20/1

An increased distance and first-time cheekpieces appear to have been the catalysts for her first win when last seen (reportedly finished lame) over 3m at Taunton on quick ground. That was 700 days ago; starts for new trainer today.

Form: 000901/

Parisian Affair^p1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Alexander Fielding⁽⁸⁾| T: N B King| OR: 93

25/1

Champs Elysees filly, unplaced in four runs over timber earlier in the year (tailed off in novice handicap at Worcester over 2m4f latest) and similarly struggling four starts on the Flat more recently. Needs a big step forward in new cheekpieces.

Form: 24-5749

Luck Of The Legion¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 89| D

11/4

Lightly-race mare, much-improved when readily winning last month at Warwick (3m2f, good to firm; 5-1) on third start in handicap hurdles. Could have more to offer on back of that from 8lb higher mark.

Form: 9/95441

Jimmy^p¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 85| BF

11/2

Off the mark at the tenth attempt when scoring at Plumpton (3m1f, good; 5-1) in February. Never a threat here over shorter in April. Back from a break and should have more to offer over this sort of stamina-test. 5lb higher than win-mark.

Form: 089410-

Trysor Ynys^v1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 84

20/1

Just one effort of note when beaten ½L at Southwell (2m4½f, good) back in May. Tailed off over 3m on her next two runs and well held last month at Worcester. Southwell form would give her a chance, but perhaps better over shorter trip. Visor added.

Form: 05-2998

American Life^t,v¹²²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: M F Harris| OR: 79| C

5/1

Veteran with five wins and 21 placed efforts in his 72-race hurdles career. Hasn't won over hurdles since late 2015, but twice placed in this sort of contest already in 2019 and not a forlorn hope he could land another win.

Form: 435-255

Heavenly Promise¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 74

5/2

Has a couple of wins to his name, both over 3m chasing at Bangor. Showed a little more on first start for new yard at Worcester (2m7f, good; 7-1) but yet to convince over hurdles and others are preferred switching codes here.

Form: 40P-UP3

Forecasts

Heavenly Promise (5/2), Luck Of The Legion (11/4), American Life (5/1), Jimmy (11/2), Mauna Kea (13/2), Trysor Ynys (20/1), Quarry Lami (20/1), Velvet Cognac (22/1), Parisian Affair (25/1)

Heavenly Promise is an interesting runner off a lower hurdles mark having made a pleasing start for these connections over fences at Worcester but her pervious form over timber leaves a bit to be desired. This isn't the strongest opener and it might be worth side with Warwick winner LUCK OF THE LEGION to defy an 8lb rise as she looks to have scope to do so. The veteran American Life could snare some place money.