14:02 Fontwell

Thursday 17 February 2022

All13:2714:0214:3715:1215:4716:2216:55

Cazoo Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 5m 12.4s

Cheng Gong^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 106| D

7/1

Has shown signs of temperament in the past but is running consistently well lately, placed again at Market Rasen latest. Wouldn't need to improve much on recent form to be in the mix once again.

Form: 522232

Gastara³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: R G Hawker| OR: 105

22/1

Proved competitive from slightly higher marks last spring when trained by Johnny Farrelly and wasn't given a hard time on stable debut at Exeter last month. Not out of it if able to build on that.

Form: 67355-0

Spike Jones^h³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Burton⁽⁵⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 105| C

18/5

Bumper winner who has shown fair form when third in maiden hurdles at Ffos Las and Sedgefield (hood on). Considered now going into handicaps.

Form: 21533

After The Fox^p¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Chester Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 99| D

17/2

Matched the form of his earlier Chepstow win when fifth at Fontwell last time, having been raised 7 lb for that success. Clearly in good heart and isn't one to dismiss back down in trip.

Form: 082415

Kenny George³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 98| CD

10/1

Goes well here, twice runner-up over C&D last season (sole win also over C&D). No impact yet this year, still looking rusty when well behind After The Fox latest. Hopes pinned on return to Fontwell.

Form: F/622-P8

C'Est Quelqu'un^b,t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: David Bass| T: S Curran| OR: 96

85/40

Fair maiden chaser in France and ran his best race over hurdles for new connections when head second here (17.7f) 10 days ago. Looks the one to beat racing from the same mark again.

Form: 2-05432

Pilsdon Pen⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 93

10/3

Showed little in maiden hurdles but sprung an 80-1 surprise on handicap debut, battling well to win at Wincanton last month. 6 lb rise is fair and should be involved if he can confirm his improvement.

Form: 8801

Sirop De Menthe⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 93| D

40/1

Winless since 2016 and ended last season in poor form. No sign of arresting the slide on his return at Ffos Las last month and he's easy to look beyond.

Form: 5F007-6

Cronk Y Knox^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 85

33/1

Reached the frame twice this winter before running no sort of race at Uttoxeter last month. Has slipped further down the weights and would have place claims if able to bounce back.

Form: 87-P340

Non-Runners

Iron In The Soul¹⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: Mrs H Cobb J: Non Runner

Forecasts

C'Est Quelqu'un (85/40), Pilsdon Pen (10/3), Spike Jones (18/5), Cheng Gong (7/1), After The Fox (17/2), Kenny George (10/1), Gastara (22/1), Cronk Y Knox (33/1), Sirop De Menthe (40/1), Iron In The Soul (50/1)

C'EST QUELQU'UN hasn't yet matched the level of his fair French chasing form for Sean Curran, but he's gradually been taking steps in the right direction and produced his best hurdling effort to date at this course 10 days ago, so he should take all the beating racing from the same mark. Cheng Gong has been running consistently well this year, whilst recent winner Pilsdon Pen is also considered.