Racecards
15:10 Fontwell Park
E.b.f. Clinically Proven Cortaflex 'nh' Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Form 0/4-201
- Age 6
- Weight 12-0
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer Nick Williams
- Jockey D A Jacob
in touch, headway 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, ridden to lead soon after, in command last, driven out
- Form 1-21
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey N D Fehily
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, found nil from last
Alphagran (IRE)
654- Form 7/
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss A M Newton-Smith
- Jockey H Oliver
mid-division, mistake 3rd, reminder after 4th, weakened 3 out
- Form 03P-69R
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey W P Kavanagh
chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
- Form P8-F62
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer R Rowe
- Jockey L P Aspell
prominent, ridden 3 out, no headway when left distant 3rd last
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey T Doyle
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 9
- Age 7
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey S Thomas
prominent, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
- Form 810-P49
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer Mrs L C Jewell
- Jockey O Nelmes
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
Reidwil (FR)
31- Form 652
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
led, clear after 2nd, mistake 5th, headed soon after 2 out, 3rd and held when mistake and unseated rider last
In depth
Verdict
Victor Dartnall has his share of winners here and can add another to the roll of honour with Benetwood, who is taken to repel the challenges of The Real Deal, Reidwil and Killultagh Star. The selection carries a penalty for a soft ground course and distance win under Tony McCoy when last seen on the racecourse in November. J P McManus has entered him in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle at the Festival and he will need to win this if he is to take his chance there. With the exception of a last hurdle blunder he jumped well last time and with his trainer more than likely to elicit improvement we will take him to succeed. The Real Deal is another decent sort and can go close. Nick Williams' six-year-old has to give 4lb to our selection after a Chepstow win last time and looks a thorough stayer, so he is not opposed lightly. Reidwil steps up in trip after a staying on second over 2m 1f at Lingfield last time and he looks certain to benefit from that and can improve as a result, while debutante Killultagh Star hails from a yard who know the time of day in this sort of contest and the market can give us a clue as to his chances. But Benetwood sets the standard here and gets the nod.
Formwatch
The Real Deal (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, reminders and mistake 5th, headway 4 out, soon ridden, led approaching last, kept on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating The Sawyer (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 17 ran.
Benetwood (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged next, stayed on lead final 100 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Psychomodo (11-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
Alphagran (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, lost touch final 5f, 7th of 10, 22l behind Sun Pageant (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gf in Apr '05.
A Sea Commander (GER) 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when refused at the last in race won by My Turn Now (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Burren Legend (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 3rd, chased winner 6th until 8th, soon ridden, went 2nd again flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 22l behind Best Actor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Fair Dual (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) 3rd early, weakened halfway, trailing 5 out, completely tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Amalfitano (11-12) at Listowel 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Sept.
Killultagh Star (IRE) Oscar Schindler gelding, half-brother to several winning jumpers including the useful Killtullagh Storm.
Winds And Dragons (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 26l behind Three Guesses (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
She's Humble (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 44l behind Apollo Lady (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Reidwil (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leader from 2nd, every chance last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Grecian Groom (11-5) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.