16:10 Fontwell

Sunday 28 February 2021

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

PIAFF The Champagne Of The Open Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 37.41s

Blame The Game⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 115| BF

2/1

Point recruit who has made a bright start under Rules, landing a Plumpton novice in November and hit the frame in a couple of handicaps over an extended 23f. Worth considering eased back in trip.

Form: 4-3123

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Grangeclare Glory^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 115

5/1

Improved efforts after wind op when in frame in 2m novice hurdles at Plumpton and Doncaster, shaping like a stayer each occasion. Up in trip for handicap bow and well worth a look.

Form: 49-43

Penny Mallow⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115

4/1

Fairly useful winner at 21f over hurdles who didn't feature on return/chase debut but back to form (without jumping fluently) when fourth over timber at Sandown (19.8f) in December. Not discounted.

Form: 1125-64

Imperial Acolyte³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 112

16/1

Eased in weights and capitalised to end long losing run at Ffos Las (20f) in November, scoring readily. Respectable fourth from 10 lb higher at Haydock (15.6f) albeit finding less than looked likely.

Form: FUU214

Northern Poet³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 111

11/2

Bumper winner who has showed more than previously on each of his last 2 starts over hurdles, staying on for third at Plumpton (25f, heavy) last month. Rates a live each-way player again.

Form: 3-39263

Whiskey Lullaby^t1⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 110

15/2

Runner-up sole start in bumpers and hit the frame in pair of mares' maiden/novice events at up to 23f this autumn. Disappointing on handicap debut in January but it remains early days with her.

Form: 22-238

Let Me Entertain U⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 109

10/1

Heavy-ground bumper winner on debut. Modest form in trio of maiden/novice hurdles at around 2m but suspicion he can step up now stamina is drawn out on handicap debut. Betting should guide.

Form: 10-5455

Non-Runners

Katahdin⁴⁶

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: C L Tizzard J: Aidan Coleman

Vital Sign³⁷¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 8

T: R Rowe J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Blame The Game (2/1), Penny Mallow (4/1), Grangeclare Glory (5/1), Northern Poet (11/2), Katahdin (7/1), Whiskey Lullaby (15/2), Let Me Entertain U (10/1), Imperial Acolyte (16/1), Vital Sign (33/1)

A competitive handicap with the narrow vote in favour of GRANGECLARE GLORY. There's been plenty of promise to glean from both hurdle starts so far this winter and it's highly likely there is more to come now handicapping up in trip. Penny Mallow, on the back of a short break, Blame The Game and Katahdin head up the dangers.