14:35 Fontwell

Friday 6 November 2026

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:43

Gary Wrights Big 40th Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 46.30s

Fire Flyer⁶⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125| D

40/1

Posted some strong form in novice hurdles in 2023/4. Since looked one with problems in handicap hurdles/chases, pulling hard on final start for Paul Nicholls last March. Questions to answer back hurdling for new yard following 20-month absence.

Form: P0P2PP/

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Lynx De Thaix²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: T Symonds| OR: 118| D

11/4

Fairly useful form when unbeaten in a trio of 4-y-o hurdles in France for J. Delaunay. Easy to back when well held on British/handicap debut at Exeter in March. Off further 8 months since and again goes without tongue strap (fitted for all his French wins).

Form: 1116-

Donnie Azoff^t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁵⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 118| D

12/1

Quirky veteran. Finished runner-up 4 times either side of small-field handicap success at Newton Abbot in June. Typically raced lazily (off an excessively strong gallop) when beaten 8½ lengths at Hereford latest. Again has his drawbacks as a betting proposition.

Form: 5-21222

Paso Doble^p,t²⁰³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Paddy Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| CD

8/1

Made a winning return over C&D last October. Now 1 lb lower having been operating a notch below his best in the second half of last season, not suited by a hands-and-heels race (raced lazily) at Ayr in April. Better showing expected as a fresh horse here.

Form: 132934-

He's A Latchico¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: Jamie & Josh Moore| OR: 115| CD

12/1

Three-time course winner. Better than ever when registering a fourth hurdle success at Leicester (2m) this time last year. Backed that up with fifth in a strong class 4 handicap at Ascot. Never going on reappearance here last month (typically needs a run or 2). Respected if back on song, though.

Form: 572U3-5

So You Know^t²¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 113

5/2

Rangy type from family yard knows well. Made a winning return/hurdling debut at Huntingdon this time last year. Shaped encouragingly when runner-up to an improver on handicap bow at Warwick (2m) in March. Disappointing end-of-season run at Chepstow (19f) but well worth another chance at this trip.

Form: 0/1227-

Motazzen^p,t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 112| CD

11/2

Course regular. Completed a double when notching a fifth victory here (2¾m) in September (form hasn't proved robust). Looked handicapped to the hilt when placing in consecutive C&D handicaps since, though does at least have match-fitness on his side.

Form: 431123

The Bellhop^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: Jamie & Josh Moore| OR: 112| C

11/2

Won both hurdle starts here (2¼m) before not beaten far off higher marks in juvenile handicaps at Sandown/Ascot during the spring. Didn't shape well without usual cheekpieces (now refitted) when well-beaten fifth at Chepstow last month. Market can guide with yard also saddling He's A Latchico.

Form: 41345-5

Forecasts

So You Know (5/2), Lynx De Thaix (11/4), Motazzen (11/2), The Bellhop (11/2), Paso Doble (8/1), Donnie Azoff (12/1), He's A Latchico (12/1), Fire Flyer (40/1)

It may pay to concentrate on SO YOU KNOW and Paso Doble, who both made winning reappearances last season. The former gets the nod on just his second start over a trip that really should suit. He's A Latchico could be a danger, if the market expects him to leave behind a lacklustre comeback run.