14:15 Fontwell

Friday 21 April 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:3017:05

Happy 80th Birthday Fabulous Ray Thorn Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 15.6s

Filanderer^h,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: David Bass| T: H Morrison| OR: 102

17/2

Warwick bumper winner who shaped with promise when sixth on hurdles debut at Ascot (19.2f) in November. Poor efforts since though, latest in first-time hood at Taunton after a wind op. Others appeal more.

Form: 10-6677

Ray's The One³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: James Best| T: M Pattinson| OR: 102| CD

17/2

C&D winner in December but below that form since, only fourth of 7 in handicap over C&D 34 days ago. Needs to take a step forward despite an easing mark.

Form: 641384

Noah's Light³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 101

100/1

Lightly-raced ex-Irish winner over hurdles. Pulled up in handicap hurdles at Lingfield and Fontwell this term though, latest after undergoing breathing surgery. Has plenty to prove.

Form: P/31P-PP

Privatory^b³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 98

12/1

Dual 2m winner last term but below par this season, tried in blinkers when pulled up at Taunton last time. Lots more is required.

Form: 0-68F4P

Mistral Lady¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 97

14/1

Some encouragement when placed in a pair of maiden hurdles in the autumn. Exploits in handicaps have been disappointing though, well held over 2m5f here 17 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 6-32967

Penna Rossa^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: C Poulton| OR: 104

11/1

Off the mark in Sandown juvenile in December but below that form subsequently, coming in last of 13 in Ascot handicap 19 days ago. Cheekpieces replace blinkers now.

Form: 41P30

Dazzling Dove^t³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 93

11/1

Still a maiden but she has made a positive start for new connections, second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, soft) 32 days ago. Merits serious consideration off an unchanged mark.

Form: 44-0P32

Tara Iti³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 89

17/2

Won a pair of Plumpton handicaps last year but his recent form is not so encouraging, beating only one back there last time. Needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 244635

Lookingdandy⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: K Brogan| T: B Pauling| OR: 81

11/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler. Only ninth of 14 in handicap at Taunton (19f, good) 59 days ago so he's hard to make a case for.

Form: 40009

Bolberry Down^p1⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond| T: K Jewell| OR: 81WS

22/1

Pulled up in 3 handicap hurdles and needs to have been transformed by a recent wind op. Also wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 43PPP

Mickyh^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 77

6/5

Yet to score this season but he arrives in good nick, second of 6 in handicap hurdle at Plumpton (15.9f, soft) 39 days ago. Merits consideration off the same mark.

Form: 209522

Non-Runners

Fanfaron Dino¹⁰¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: A J Honeyball J: Jack Hogan

Naturally High³⁴

Weight: 11-13| Age: 8

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Sir Rock³⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: T Lawes J: Tom Cannon

Green Or Black⁴¹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 11

T: N P Mulholland J: Mr Edward Rees

Forecasts

Mickyh (6/5), Fanfaron Dino (9/2), Tara Iti (17/2), Filanderer (17/2), Ray's The One (17/2), Naturally High (10/1), Lookingdandy (11/1), Penna Rossa (11/1), Dazzling Dove (11/1), Privatory (12/1), Mistral Lady (14/1), Sir Rock (14/1), Bolberry Down (22/1), Green Or Black (25/1), Noah's Light (100/1)

Not so competitive as the numbers suggest and DAZZLING DOVE is taken to gain a deserved breakthrough success on the back of her good Southwell second. Plumpton runner-up Mickyh is next on the list while Fanfaron Dino is also weighted to have a say if back on his A-game.