Racecards
19:40 Fontwell Park
Spreadfair.com Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 3-9
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs P Townsley
- Jockey M Batchelor
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 80-5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
not fluent 4th, always towards rear
Mega Chic (FR)
806- Form U795/
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 69
always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 5th
- Form 46-7
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Miss S West
- Jockey J Goldstein
towards rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer S Dow
- Jockey R Thornton
tracked leader, led and blundered badly 3rd, headed and mistake 3 out, weakened next
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R M Stronge
- Jockey James Davies
mid-division until weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 0P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
led until 3rd, chased leader, not fluent 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakening when hit next, mistake last
- Form 8/3-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
mid-division, headway after 5th, led soon after 2 out, hit last, ran on well, comfortably
- Form 49-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Mrs L J Mongan
- Jockey L P Aspell
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
- Form 42
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, not pace of winner, eased close home
In depth
Verdict
Tavalu has the scope to beat the likes of Mister Completely, Swift Sailor and Tagula Blue. Tavalu was a maiden on the Flat, but will not remain one over timber for much longer based on his two efforts here at Fontwell so far, the latest of which was just nine days ago. On that occasion he made Brads House pull out all the stops despite taking a keen hold, and although the latter was beaten at the weekend, Gary Moore's charge will surely go very close. Mister Completely has been profitable to follow on the all-weather but did not catch the eye on his return to timber at Uttoxeter last month so is hard to fancy strongly. Swift Sailor is a stablemate of the selection but is certainly the second string, while Tagula Blue did post a fair second to the useful Straw Bear at Folkestone in January but has been confined to the Flat since. Mind you, he did pick up a couple of wins so is worth bearing in mind for a place at least. For the winner though we return to Tavalu.
Formwatch
Mister Completely (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Barfleur (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Olivino (GER) 3-1fav (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, stayed on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Twentytwosilver (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in May (Flat).
Santo Subito (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Shinora.
Swift Sailor 9-2 (11-0) Held up, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Pseudonym (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf, 16 ran.
Tagula Blue (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 2 out, chased leading pair before last, kept on well, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Straw Bear (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Opium des Pictons (FR) 66-1 (10-10) Held up, weakened after 5th, tailed off, 6th of 7, 43l behind Dune Raider (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Tavalu (USA) 10-3 (10-12) Led and took keen hold early, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied 2 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Brads House (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Top of The Agenda 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Dan's Heir (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan, 9 ran.