17:15 Fontwell

Friday 6 October 2023

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0716:4017:15

Belgrade Insulations & Dry Lining Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 4m 53.1s

Beat The Heat^p³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: J R Boyle| OR: 105| CD

4/1

On the up when last seen over hurdles, winning three times at this track, and he arrives on the back of a career-best Flat effort when scoring at Bath. Makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 371311-

First Quest^p,t⁷⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 105

12/1

Operating below best since joining current stable, including on the Flat, so returns to this sphere with plenty to prove.

Form: FU32P5-

Sami Bear¹⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 103

6/1

Returned to winning ways in handicap at Kempton in February. After 12 weeks off, saddle slipped when in contention there next time and fell early on latest outing at Plumpton. Off 145 days since but remains with potential.

Form: 32U1-6F

Sarsen^t1³⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 102

18/1

Positive enough start over hurdles when second in 6-runner maiden at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good) last year. Disappointing handicap debut next time but has left Alan King (also off 11 months) since and warrants a market check.

Form: 405/239-

Belgarum^t1¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 98WS

15/2

Runner-up on handicap debut at this course in March and backed it up with a solid fifth at Plumpton. Should be on the premises if ready to go after 6 months off.

Form: 6/79325-

Sir Rock¹⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 94| C

7/2

Irish point winner who left previous hurdling form behind when landing a 12-runner handicap at this course 149 days ago. Obvious claims if he returns in the same mood.

Form: 7B12P-1

Mi Sueno⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: P Butler| OR: 91

80/1

Visored for 1st time, first run since leaving Peter John Flood when last of 9 in minor event (7/1) at Brighton (11.9f, good) 57 days ago. Shaped quite well over hurdles prior to that but still has a bit to prove.

Form: 6000-52

Sassified^p³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 92| D

8/1

Fairly useful on Flat in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh and was progressing well over hurdles prior to a blip at Newton Abbot last time. Likely to get back on the up.

Form: 643115

Only Fools^h,t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 80

17/2

Fair Flat winner in France and hit the crossbar in handicap hurdles at Newton Abbot and Worcester in May/June. Has held form since and is likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 5-52243

No Worries^p,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 77

16/1

Won 3 times over hurdles in 2021/22 season and struck on Ludlow chase debut last November. Let down by his jumping/attitude since then, so this return to the smaller obstacles could help.

Form: 1F-P436

Abbeyhill^t¹⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 70

9/1

Winning pointer but well beaten in bumper/over hurdles. It's easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 00864-4

Steven Seagull²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Dylan Whelan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 52

40/1

Modest maiden on the Flat and not even at that level over hurdles so far. Firmly up against it from out of the weights.

Form: 044

Forecasts

Sir Rock (7/2), Beat The Heat (4/1), Sami Bear (6/1), Belgarum (15/2), Sassified (8/1), Only Fools (17/2), Abbeyhill (9/1), First Quest (12/1), No Worries (16/1), Sarsen (18/1), Steven Seagull (40/1), Mi Sueno (80/1)

BEAT THE HEAT has an excellent record at this track and is fresh from an improved effort on the Flat, so he's fancied to add to a good hurdling strike rate. Sami Bear and Sassified both remain with potential and are feared.