Racecards
18:25 Fontwell Park
Digibet Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
- Form 03651-3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer L Wells
- Jockey R Thornton
mid-division, headway 5th, disputing 2nd when blundered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
- Form 66138-2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey Dave Crosse
mid-division, headway 5th, not fluent next, soon ridden, hampered 3 out, soon one pace
- Form 4532/4-2
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer T D McCarthy
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leader, led 3rd, 2 lengths clear when fell 3 out
Firesong
298- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Gifford
- Jockey L P Aspell
tailed off from 5th, pulled up before next
- Form P2P/3F-P
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
led until 3rd, lost touch from 5th, tailed off
Shekel (IRE)
20- Form 0/U-5
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
always behind, tailed off
- Form 09F-6
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss S West
- Jockey J Goldstein
in touch until blundered 4th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 6th
Enthusius
21- Form 7-5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
mid-division, headway 6th, left with leader 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out
- Form 567-2
- Age 4
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer R T Phillips
- Jockey W Marston
took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, left in lead 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
In depth
Verdict
Nicki Boy, Classic Role and Cave of The Giant look the three to concentrate on in this novices hurdle and the vote is given to Nicki Boy. The selection was a good second behind Cyd Charisse last time out, looks sure to be suited by the drop in trip and with the ground also in his favour he will be hard to beat. Classic Role rates the main danger on his latest third behind Compton Star, this looks easier and he should be watched in the market. Cave Of The Giant is another that could go well on his best form but he has not progressed as expected and is becoming expensive to follow. Of the remainder Norman Beckett ran well last time but he may be seen to better effect in handicaps while Firesong is from a shrewd yard and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Nicki Boy who sets a fair standard and will be hard to beat.
Formwatch
Classic Role 3-1fav (11-12) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on approaching last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Compton Star (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Nicki Boy (GER) 8-11fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Cyd Charisse (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Cave of The Giant (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Close up, lost place after 6th, kept on again under pressure from 3 out but no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Kavatcha (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Firesong 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 10l behind Gambling Spirit (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Shekel (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Munnings Touch (11-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gd in May.
Toga Party (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leader approaching 2nd until 7th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind No Regrets (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Enthusius 7-2 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, one pace when not fluent last, 5th of 11, 14l behind Ingratitude (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Norman Beckett 10-1 (10-12) Pulled early and chased leader, ridden to lead 2 out, headed after last, rallied flat, not match winner, 2nd of 7, nk behind Mon Michel (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in May.