14:17 Fontwell

Wednesday 19 October 2022

All13:1213:4714:1714:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Findon Valley Homeguard Old Comrades Club Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 4m 47.39s

Flash The Steel^t¹⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| D

6/1

Pulled up all 3 starts last season but fared better in first-time blinkers when sixth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (20f) in May. Has won off a break before and holds good claims at these weights.

Form: F1/PPP-6

Abuffalosoldier²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

14/1

Scored on his hurdles bow at Wincanton (19.8f) in January but off the track since beating only one at Wetherby 8 months ago. Needs to hit the ground running on his comeback.

Form: 3110-

In The Air¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123

13/2

Scored on his British debut at Newbury in March but only sixth in Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree (17f) 6 months ago. Remains with potential now going handicapping so can't be dismissed.

Form: 3116-

Carolines Charm¹⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120| C

14/1

Fairly useful winning chaser who returned with win in 3-runner handicap hurdle here (21.8f) in May. Not discounted despite his absence.

Form: 25243-1

Fugitives Drift^p,t⁹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 118WS

8/1

Useful hurdler in 2020/21 but cheekpieces on for 1st time when below-par eighth of 12 in handicap at Cartmel (22.1f) 95 days ago. Subsequent wind op needs to spark a resurgence.

Form: PP2-2P8

Small Bad Bob¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P Henderson| OR: 117| CD

4/1

Bagged his third success of the campaign at Fontwell in February and got back on track when third of 4 in handicap at Plumpton (20.5f) in April. This C&D winner is no forlorn hope on his seasonal return.

Form: 521493-

Winterwatch^t³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 108| BF

7/4

Dual Flat winner who has found just one too good on his last 2 starts over hurdles, latest in a 2m maiden at Worcester last month. Much respected on his handicap debut.

Form: U42-2

Seaborough¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: D Shaw| OR: 93

9/1

Deservedly scored at Uttoxeter (2½m) in September and posted another solid effort when third of 10 in handicap at Worcester (20f) 13 days ago. Considered despite being 5 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 333163

Forecasts

Winterwatch (7/4), Small Bad Bob (4/1), Flash The Steel (6/1), In The Air (13/2), Fugitives Drift (8/1), Seaborough (9/1), Abuffalosoldier (14/1), Carolines Charm (14/1)

FLASH THE STEEL goes very well fresh and hails from a yard among the winners so is fancied to capitalise on a handy-looking mark on his return. Handicap-debutants Winterwatch and In The Air remain with potential and appeal as the duo to give Dan Skelton's veteran most to do in that order.