Racecards
14:15 Fontwell Park
Docker Hughes Memorial Challenge Trophy Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Heavy
- Form 96F1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer A Hales
- Jockey Mr T J Malone
behind, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, never dangerous
- Form 883-764
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer P Rodford
- Jockey S Burrough
mid-division, mistake 5th, behind from 8th, tailed off
- Form 523-32
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
keen hold in touch, went 2nd after 7th, led next, not fluent 3 out, pushed clear 2 out, easily
- Form 3146/PP
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up, stumbled 7th, 5th and ridden when blundered 3 out, tailed off
- Form 69
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J Long
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
mistakes, prominent, joined leaders 3rd, mistake 6th and next, lost place and tailed off
- Form 67
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer P Winkworth
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up, well behind from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 7130-73
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
disputed lead, headed 8th, chased winner to approaching 2 out, no extra
- Form 4/9-32
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
in touch, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression and ridden when not fluent last
- Form 060-63
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer T McGovern
- Jockey C Murray
held up and behind, tailed off from 8th
In depth
Verdict
The two to concentrate on here appear to be Slooghy and Chopneyev who both have proven form on heavy ground and both look capable of staying this trip. A preference is given to the former based on his runs at Newbury and Folkestone where the form has worked out well. On the minus side both those races were run at a snails pace so the form is slightly unreliable. Nevertheless he still looks the one to beat. The latter will find things tougher than his most recent outing when he landed the odds under Warren Marston. With Richard Johnson aboard today he still rates a danger but will find it hard giving weight all round. Cowboyboots will no doubt be given an examination of his resolution by Tony McCoy but needs to improve plenty on what he has shown to figure here.