14:40 Fontwell

Wednesday 23 October 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Dave And Sheila Musson Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 51.20s

Fortunate George^v²¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 125| BF

3/1

Placed in a better race than this at Newbury when 2lb higher on his penultimate start, and although pulled up when last seen in March, he returns fresh. Claims if he is back to his best.

Form: 0/0773P-

Hygrove Percy⁹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118| C

16/1

Has won 3-7 over hurdles, but not seen since March 2017. Best watched unless the subject of significant support.

Form: 212146/

The Gipper¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 117

18/1

Well held on both recent runs after a summer break, the more recent being over C&D. Drops in class this time, while soft ground is probably also a plus, but he does now have a bit to prove.

Form: 1168-06

Le Ligerien^h¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117| CD

13/2

Second on his handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, good) in February, before winning a maiden over C&D a month later. Disappointed when last seen seven-months ago. Bit to prove on soft ground, but unexposed and enters calculations.

Form: 422210-

Tazka¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114| C

8/1

2m1f course winner here in a juvenile hurdle on good to soft 11-months ago. Third in a good juvenile handicap (2m3f) in March. Below par at Cheltenham when last seen in April, but still open to improvement. Not ruled out.

Form: 124538-

Notre Ami²⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 112| CWS

10/1

Has a moderate season last time around and not seen since the winter, after which he had wind surgery. Has been given plenty of time off since, but would only be of interest today if market vibes are strong.

Form: 233309-

Twenty Twenty¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 106| C

15/2

Won twice here over 2m1f last season (both good), so more was anticipated than he produced on his recent reappearance back here. Bit to prove after that, but could still be more to come.

Form: 3441-39

Sixties Secret¹⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 105

16/1

Decisive Plumpton winner (2m, good) 13-months ago, but inconsistent after that. Reasonable performances in the spring at up to 2m4f, but needs to better those on her return.

Form: F1P46-

Hier Encore²²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: N Dunger| OR: 104| CD

4/1

Scored twice over C&D last term, the latter a decisive 9L success (soft) in March. 7lb higher for this reappearance, but that should not prevent another very competitive effort.

Form: 2F1041-

Mazalto²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 103| C

11/2

Scored in this grade here (2m1f, soft) in December and also put up a good effort when third at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in March. If fully tuned up after a break, she should have a say.

Form: P5/9123-

Non-Runners

Sirop De Menthe¹⁹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 9

T: Mrs S Gardner J: Lucy Gardner

Forecasts

Fortunate George (3/1), Hier Encore (4/1), Mazalto (11/2), Le Ligerien (13/2), Twenty Twenty (15/2), Tazka (8/1), Notre Ami (10/1), Hygrove Percy (16/1), Sixties Secret (16/1), The Gipper (18/1), Sirop De Menthe (25/1)

Hier Encore loves it here and could again have a big say, while Fortunate George would be a threat to all despite topweight, if back to something like his best. Mazalto and Twenty Twenty are others with chances, but the suggestion is LE LIGERIEN, who is unexposed and could get back on an upward curve after a break.