15:10 Fontwell

Wednesday 21 October 2020

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:2316:5517:30

Heart Of The South Racing Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 4m 49.28s

The Russian Doyen³⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 134| D

17/2

Useful 19f winner over fences but back over hurdles on his first run since pulled up in handicap chase at Aintree 11 months ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 61514/P-

Chirico Vallis^h,t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133

9/2

Returned from 8 months off with wide-margin win in 20f handicap hurdle at Bangor 57 days ago. Up 8 lb but form has been franked so he's firmly in the mix again.

Form: 66120-1

Air Horse One^b,t²²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 132| D

8/1

Consistent sort who scored at Ffos Las last November. Makes return after 7 months off but has slipped in the weights so not taken lightly.

Form: 514360-

Nordic Combined^b,t²²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 131

18/1

Blinkered first time and signed off for last season with 2m handicap hurdle victory at Taunton (heavy). HIked up 9 lb so needs to hit the ground running on his comeback after 7 months off.

Form: 336441-

Mr Pumblechook³⁰⁰

13/2

In good form but disappointed when seventh of 16 in handicap hurdle at Kempton (21f, soft) 10 months ago and off the track since. Back from wind op now so not ruled out.

Form: 646/427-

Kissesforkatie³⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 126| C

9/2

In excellent form over hurdles last winter, scoring at Wincanton, but off track since falling in novice there 10 months ago (close 2nd when departing 2 out). Into handicaps now on good mark so claims.

Form: 6/2341F-

Harefield¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 126| C

6/1

Course winner who took step back in right direction when fifth of 7 in handicap hurdle (14/1) over C&D 18 days ago. Can make his presence felt off 2 lb lower mark now.

Form: F/15P-65

Hygrove Percy^p²³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125| CD

13/2

Dual course winner who landed this contest 12 months ago. Has 7-month absence to overcome but yard going well so he's worth a second look.

Form: 6/14746-

Distingo^v²⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 124

18/1

Winless since 2018 and he ended last season under a cloud, looking none too keen when beating only one at Ascot final start. Others preferred.

Form: 00F/650-

Presence Of Mind⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| D

14/1

Made winning hurdling bow in 19f Catterick novice in January but never able to get in a blow on return when ninth of 11 in handicap at Uttoxeter (19.9f). Remains open to progress so not written off.

Form: 1/211-9

Forecasts

Chirico Vallis (9/2), Kissesforkatie (9/2), Harefield (6/1), Mr Pumblechook (13/2), Hygrove Percy (13/2), Air Horse One (8/1), The Russian Doyen (17/2), Presence Of Mind (14/1), Nordic Combined (18/1), Distingo (18/1)

Lots in with a shout here but Chris Gordon's course-winner HAREFIELD hinted at a return to form when fifth here at the start of the month and is taken to build on that dropped a handy 2 lb. Kissesforkatie looks to have got into handicaps on a fair mark so is feared most, though her lack of a recent run tempers enthusiasm, while last year's winner Hygrove Percy can't be ruled out easily either.