13:05 Fontwell

Sunday 29 January 2023

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 4m 34.5s

Churchills Boy⁴⁰

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

15/2

Point bumper winner who created a good impression when landing Chepstow bumper in February. Pulled up on November's hurdles debut but a totally different proposition a month later when successful at Plumpton. Likely has more to offer.

Form: 11-P1

Firestream^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 130| BF

6/4

Bagged an Exeter bumper a year ago and created a fine impression when making a winning hurdles debut at Chepstow in November. Performed to a similar level when second in a Ffos Las novice (2½m, soft) a month later and dropping back in trip here could be a good move.

Form: 4214-12

I'd Like To Know⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon

17/2

Runner-up on his sole start in points and made promising start when winning 13-runner novice hurdle at Worcester (20f, heavy) in October. Found Grade 2 company all too much at Sandown and this is more realistic.

Form: 2-16

Inneston²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

1/1

Landed a bumper for Gabriel Leenders on his only start in France and shaped with plenty of encouragement sent hurdling after 15 months off when 22 lengths third in introductory event at Newbury a month ago. Sure to improve.

Form: 1-3

Mountain Grey²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

150/1

Merely hinted at promise in 5 starts.

Form: 657-5P

Proper Twelve³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

16/1

Runner-up on second of 2 starts in points and displayed ability in a couple of bumpers during the autumn. Shaped like a stayer when third on hurdles debut over C&D on Boxing Day.

Form: 42-353

Spicy Nelson⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

80/1

€50,000 3-y-o, Mount Nelson gelding. Half-brother to 6f winner Fairy Fast. Dam, poor maiden hurdler, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/chaser (winner around 2m) Satu. Low-key debut in a bumper at Plumpton last month.

Form: 8

Think For A Minit³³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins

300/1

Pulled up both starts in 2021/22.

Form: PP-

Titanium Bullet^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex

100/1

Fair form in bumpers but heavy defeats both starts over hurdles to end 2022.

Form: 2560

The Flying Fig

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford

80/1

Scorpion gelding. Dam (h107) 23f/3m hurdle winner.

Form:

Non-Runners

Pearly Island¹⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: L Wadham J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Inneston (1/1), Firestream (6/4), Churchills Boy (15/2), I'd Like To Know (17/2), Pearly Island (12/1), Proper Twelve (16/1), Spicy Nelson (80/1), The Flying Fig (80/1), Titanium Bullet (100/1), Mountain Grey (150/1), Think For A Minit (300/1)

There's plenty of depth to this novice but the drop in trip could be ideal for FIRESTREAM given how he goes through his races and he's capable of defying a penalty at the second attempt. Inneston could be a big improver so he commands respect, with Plumpton scorer Churchills Boy also of interest.