15:50 Fontwell

Sunday 17 November 2024

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

BetGoodwin Top UK Bookies Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 33.78s

Mac's Xpress^t,p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: C Ellam| OR: 93

40/1

Remains a long-standing maiden and has offered little in 2 starts since leaving Paul John Gilligan, well beaten in handicap at Ludlow (23.8f, good to soft) 24 days ago. Tongue strap back on but enough to prove at present.

Form: 447598

Getuptheyard^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 91

12/1

Ran up to best when keeping on well for fourth in 13-runner handicap at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) in April. After 6 months off, possibly needed the run when pulled up at Worcester in October, so he could fare better upped in trip.

Form: 96484-P

Spitfire Bridge^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 91

22/1

Some encouragement in bumpers and has shown fair form on the Flat. Looked a work in progress first 3 starts over hurdles this season but hasn't improved in handicaps the last twice, pulled up in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (20.4f, good) 25 days ago.

Form: 7-5245P

Nordic Storm¹⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 88

13/2

Hinted at ability in his 3 qualifying runs last season but tailed off both starts in handicaps, the latest at Ffos Las (23.9f, good to soft) in May. Remains lightly raced, though, and yard is going well ahead of return.

Form: 0476-7

Gms Prince^t⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 88

20/1

Still looking for first success, but has been falling in the weights and wasn't seen to best effect when seventh of 12 at Worcester (20f, good, 14/1) 88 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Not discounted.

Form: 456-877

Whynotnowroy^h,t¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 85| CD

6/4

Made the frame on final 3 starts in 2023/24, before showing improved form when winning 12-runner handicap at this C&D (good) in May. Could still have more to offer at this trip, so he's respected on first run since leaving Keiran Burke.

Form: 86243-1

Katopop²²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 85WS

50/1

Limited impact in trio of novice hurdles but did at least hint at ability when mid-field at Taunton (16.5f) in March. However, pulled up on chasing debut at the same course (23f, soft) when last seen in April. Others preferred back hurdling.

Form: 2FP/97P-

Mersey Street¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 84

10/3

Having eased further in the weights after 4 months off, ran best race in handicaps when second of 10 at Fakenham (20f, good) 18 days ago, leading until after 2 out having forced the pace. Can build on that run to open his account.

Form: 6-86942

Getoverthathill⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 79

9/2

Well held on hurdling debut in Ireland in 2021 but won a point the following year. Absent again until this season and shaped better than on stable debut when mid-field in novice here (17.7f, good to soft) last month. Capable of better now handicapping.

Form: 071/76

Johnnie River¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 62

150/1

Has shown little on the Flat and in this sphere so far, tailed off in maiden hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) 11 days ago. 10 lb out of the weights as he makes handicap debut.

Form: 9-000

Non-Runners

The Last Melon²⁴

Weight: 10-5| Age: 12

T: J Bennett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Whynotnowroy (6/4), Mersey Street (10/3), Getoverthathill (9/2), Nordic Storm (13/2), Getuptheyard (12/1), Gms Prince (20/1), Spitfire Bridge (22/1), The Last Melon (25/1), Mac's Xpress (40/1), Katopop (50/1), Johnnie River (150/1)

From his falling mark, MERSEY STREET produced his best effort since switched to handicaps when runner-up to an improver at Fakenham last month, so with that run behind him he could be ready to get off the mark. Whynotnowroy was suited by the longer trip when winning at this C&D in May and is feared most on stable debut, ahead of Getoverthathill.