12:30 Fontwell

Saturday 20 March 2021

All12:3013:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Visit attheraces.com Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 4m 37.35s

Forever Des Long²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122

5/2

Bit disappointing he couldn't get the job done at Ludlow (15.8f, heavy) last time, hanging left as the race wore on and headed late after clouting the last. This is another thin contest.

Form: 032-852

Fort Summer²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kieron Edgar| T: D Pipe

66/1

Little impact in 2 novice hurdles after 15 months off. Can't be fancied.

Form: 5F/36-90

Givehimhisdew¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: K Davis

300/1

Well held in bumpers and again in Exeter maiden hurdle 11 days ago.

Form: PP-0050

John Betjeman^b1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 109

6/1

Spurned a glorious opportunity to get off the mark at Plumpton in January, his jumping rather holding him back, and he struggled in a Sandown handicap next time. Blinkers now tried.

Form: 2-62826

Lavorante²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| BF

4/1

€32,000 3-y-o bred to stay well. Plenty of promise in 2 bumpers last month and no surprise to see big improvement now jumping. Interesting runner in thin maiden for Fontwell's top trainer.

Form: 235

Needhams Gap⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore

14/1

Won an Irish point on debut in April 2018 and cost a fortune but has shown little in Sandown novice hurdle and Leicester chase since 15 months apart. Yard also run Lavorante.

Form: 1/P-3

Now Is The Winter¹³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball

7/1

Fairly useful bumper winner but pulled up all 3 runs over hurdles when with Ben Pauling. Needs lot more for new yard now fitted with a tongue tie. Check the betting.

Form: 21/P-PP

Sambezi²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy

9/4

Fairly useful bumper winner. Promising start over hurdles when second at Sedgefield (16.8f, heavy) last month, going with zest and beaten only by a race-fit rival with more experience. Can progress.

Form: F-1252

Sergeant O'leary^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Page Fuller| T: H Whittington

40/1

Little impact in bumper/2 maiden hurdles (wind op/tongue tied for latest just 12 days ago).

Form: 5-05

Pollyamorous¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: K Davis

300/1

Well held in 2 bumpers (sold very cheaply from Harry Whittington after first) and little show in maiden hurdles.

Form: 68-40P9

Soul Icon³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Garner| T: Kieran Burke

200/1

Big price and achieved nothing in Warwick bumper on debut last month.

Form: 9

Forecasts

Sambezi (9/4), Forever Des Long (5/2), Lavorante (4/1), John Betjeman (6/1), Now Is The Winter (7/1), Needhams Gap (14/1), Sergeant O'leary (40/1), Fort Summer (66/1), Soul Icon (200/1), Givehimhisdew (300/1), Pollyamorous (300/1)

SAMBEZI made a bright start over hurdles at Sedgefield and the fairly useful bumper winner makes most appeal now under Gavin Sheehan, who has a great record at Fontwell. Lavorante is interesting starting out over hurdles for Gary Moore, while there is a race like this in Forever Des Long but he's been looking one not to be taking a short price about.