Fontwell Park Half Year Membership Novices' Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 3f 104y | 7 Runners | Turf

Ballyfinn^t⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 12-7| J: Chad Bament⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 97| C

With the emphasis on stamina, matched his fair hurdles form when opening account in 11-runner handicap at this course (3¼m) 8 days ago, well on top finish. Not taken lightly under a penalty, though the drop back in trip might not be ideal.

Form: 2/3744-1

Jaffa Cake^h,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 90

33/1

Runner-up on bumper debut last spring but only modest form in his qualifying runs over hurdles, before pulled up both starts in handicaps. Making chase debut, didn't fare much better when well beaten in handicap over this C&D 20 days ago.

Form: 704PP7-

All Authorized^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 86| CD

10/3

Fair winning hurdler at best but has yet to really convince over fences, failing to beat a rival in his 2 completed starts last season. Below his best back over hurdles last 3 outings, so has enough to prove given another try chasing.

Form: 95F344-

Lord Maher^v¹⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: K Jewell| OR: 86

33/1

Modest winner on hurdles debut in Ireland, but without a victory over hurdles/fences for current yard. Failed to build on promise of previous outing when well held in handicap chase at Market Rasen when last seen in December.

Form: 6445B7-

Thickthorn Tom^p,t1⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 85

7/4

Little impact over hurdles, but with Harry Skelton on board he left his chase debut behind when third of 11 in handicap at Exeter (3m) in March. Return to shorter trip should suit and can make his presence felt with tongue strap added.

Form: 78/76P3-

Misteroddsocks^p,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: B I Case| OR: 81| CD

13/2

Not straightforward, but on the back of a breathing operation he got off the mark in 7-runner handicap chase over this C&D last month, typically flashing his tail but suited by the way race developed. Task is now to build on latest effort.

Form: P3P631-

Lunar Ocean^b1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Billy Aprahamian| OR: 76| BF

6/1

Long-standing maiden who doesn't tend to find much under pressure, runner-up on 3 occasions in 2025/26. Let down by jumping when pulled up at Warwick 3 weeks ago, but he's capable of being in the mix if switch to blinkers has a positive effect.

Form: 62524P-

Forecasts

Ballyfinn (11/8), Misteroddsocks (3/1), Thickthorn Tom (4/1), Lunar Ocean (10/1), All Authorized (12/1), Jaffa Cake (14/1), Lord Maher (25/1)

THICKTHORN TOM showed improved form on his second chase start when third at Exeter last time and he can build on that effort to get off the mark. He is preferred ahead of Ballyfinn, who looks to have a good chance under a penalty but may not be as suited by this shorter distance.