15:58 Fontwell

Thursday 18 February 2021

All13:3814:1314:4815:2315:5816:2817:00

starsport.bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 5m 22.82s

Kenyan Cowboy⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: N B King| OR: 104

22/1

Point winner who reached the frame in a couple of 19.5f Chepstow maiden hurdles in the autumn but was unable to get competitive on his Plumpton handicap debut in December. Improvement needed.

Form: 1-79438

Gabrielle Du Seuil^h⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 103

66/1

Fourth in a couple of hurdles in France in 2019. Better than bare result on belated return/yard debut at Uttoxeter (15.7f) in November and clearly not 100% at Fakenham since. This will reveal more.

Form: 4/4-50

Alkopop²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: T Lawes| OR: 102| D

11/8

Lightly-raced sort who made his second handicap start a winning one over 19.5f at Chepstow last month. Raised 10 lb for that but still much respected as an unexposed sort.

Form: P7/6-31

Mr Katanga¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 101

10/1

Lightly raced. Best effort when fifth in novice at Uttoxeter on debut for this stable. Underwhelming at Warwick next time but could have more to offer now handicapping after a break.

Form: 6-55

Gulshanigans^p,t⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 100

50/1

Missed whole of last season and no show since returning from a lengthy absence in October. Plenty to prove.

Form: 926/PP0

Kenny George³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Miss S West| OR: 100| CD

11/2

Sole win came over C&D and bounced back to form returned to this venue when runner-up last month. Another prominent showing likely.

Form: 044F-62

Unblinking³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: R Bevis| OR: 98

40/1

It's been a couple of years since he showed much but there were better signs from his reduced mark when fifth of 15 at Hereford last month, yet to be asked for effort when badly hampered 4 out.

Form: 0080-65

Call Off The Dogs⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 98| C

9/2

Confirmed encouragement of previous effort when landing 9-runner 2¾m handicap here in December. Good third over 20.5f at Plumpton since and can be expected to be thereabouts again.

Form: 35-0513

Shutthegate³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Spearing| OR: 97

25/1

Signs of promise in maiden/novice events over hurdles and possible he can do better in handicaps, for all his mark doesn't look obviously generous.

Form: 0/95-54

Kalarika^b,t⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 88| D

40/1

Successful in 18.5f handicap hurdle at Exeter in first-time blinkers in December 2018 but well beaten all 4 runs since, including chase debut in December. Short break since needs to make a difference.

Form: P1/P7-8P

Tarks Hill^h1,t1³⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: J J Burke| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 84WS

50/1

Related to a few winners but didn't threaten over hurdles for Seamus Mullins last winter, including a handicap. Had wind surgery ahead of this return for new yard. Also has hood/tongue tie added.

Form: 537480-

Havacuppa⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 84

16/1

Signed off last season by landing a mares' handicap in the mud at Uttoxeter. Disqualified after finishing runner-up on C&D return (took the wrong course) and she's an each-way player.

Form: 0F071-D

Shimba Hills^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 83| D

33/1

Dual handicap winner last term but yet to hit form this season, only ninth of 13 in handicap (20/1) at Plumpton 46 days ago. Big step forward is required.

Form: 3181-09

Just Henny^t⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 82| BF

20/1

Failed to make an impact in novice events, but showed more when first past the post on C&D handicap debut (subsequently disqualified for taking wrong course). Pulled up at Uttoxeter since, though.

Form: 08P-7DP

Fleur Du Pommier¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Dr J R J Naylor| OR: 82

14/1

Poor form over hurdles in 2018 but did manage 3 point wins in 2020. Midfield in a jumpers bumper at Lingfield on yard debut/Rules return 17 days ago. Probably best watched back hurdling.

Form: P/111P-7

Alka Step^p³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 81| C

66/1

Course winner over a much longer trip in October. Also second at Plumpton in November but well beaten twice since. Drops markedly in trip now. Others preferred.

Form: 01P250

Forecasts

Alkopop (11/8), Call Off The Dogs (9/2), Kenny George (11/2), Mr Katanga (10/1), Fleur Du Pommier (14/1), Havacuppa (16/1), Just Henny (20/1), Kenyan Cowboy (22/1), Shutthegate (25/1), Shimba Hills (33/1), Unblinking (40/1), Kalarika (40/1), Tarks Hill (50/1), Gulshanigans (50/1), Gabrielle Du Seuil (66/1), Alka Step (66/1)

MR KATANGA is a possible improver in handicaps for his good yard so gets a tentative vote. The unexposed Alkopop is much respected on the back of his Chepstow success over a similar trip last month. Kenny George and Call Off The Dogs are also on the shortlist.