17:20 Fontwell

Tuesday 18 August 2020

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:2016:5017:2017:50

Final Furlong Podcast Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 4m 31.71s

Gold Mountain^v²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 100

9/2

Modest strike rate (1-15 over fences) but placed both starts last month following a 7-month absence, latterly third of 12 in a first-time visor at Newton Abbot (21f). This drop back in trip may help.

Form: 233P-23

Un Beau Roman^h²³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 98| D

33/1

Losing run stretches back to November 2016 and while he has been given a real chance by the handicapper, it's hard to lend him support based on what he showed in 3 starts during the winter.

Form: 323964-

Wisecracker^p,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: B I Case| OR: 92| BF

5/1

Finally off the mark in convincing fashion at Hereford (2m) in November. Placed on each of his 3 subsequent starts but current mark is probably just beyond reach. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 221-223

Sea's Aria¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: M R Hoad| OR: 86

12/1

Produced one of his best efforts for a while when third at Southwell last month. However, failed to back that up next time, taking record over fences to 0-12

Form: 966/6-35

Agentleman¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: T Scudamore| T: P Winks| OR: 82

10/1

Often found wanting when push comes to shove but, having refused to race at Market Rasen last month, he put his best foot forward when scoring under Tom Scudamore at Southwell 8 days later. Up 4 lb.

Form: 706-3R1

Auld Sod³⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 81

5/2

Without a win following 20 starts under Rules but posted respectable efforts off higher marks than this on couple of occasions for Milton Bradley last year. Interesting on debut for Philip Hobbs.

Form: 37U409-

Hold Me Tight^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Gundry| OR: 76

3/1

Yet to taste success (0-33 overall, Flat and jumps) but put in a good shift when runner-up on third chase start at Newton Abbot 13 days ago. Well worth considering here with Richard Johnson aboard.

Form: 046U8-2

Peace Approved²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: R C Harper| OR: 70

80/1

Has looked limited in various company.

Form: 0875-P6

Fanfaronade^b,t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 74

50/1

Fair maiden on the Flat for John Gosden but has shown precious little over obstacles and she's 13 lb 'wrong' at the weights. Blinkers applied.

Form: 90-84P

Non-Runners

Thomas Blossom¹⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 10

T: R C Harper J: Non Runner

Poetic Presence¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: G Howell J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Auld Sod (5/2), Hold Me Tight (3/1), Gold Mountain (9/2), Wisecracker (5/1), Agentleman (10/1), Sea's Aria (12/1), Thomas Blossom (20/1), Un Beau Roman (33/1), Poetic Presence (50/1), Fanfaronade (50/1), Peace Approved (80/1)

This drop back in trip could be just the ticket for GOLD MOUNTAIN, who has responded well to the more positive tactics adopted by James Best at Newton Abbot the last twice and there's no obvious competition for the lead here. Auld Sod makes his debut for Philip Hobbs off a career-low mark and is one to note in the betting, while Hold Me Tight will be a threat if reproducing his latest effort.