Racecards
15:10 Fontwell Park
Sam Harris Bookmakers Handicap Chase (Class F)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 3P13-2P
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
led until after 1st, tracked leader but never going well after, under pressure 7th, blundered 9th, soon lost place, pulled up after 12th
- Form 3F-P622
- Age 7
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey R Johnson
led after 1st, narrowly headed approaching 2 out, led last, kept on gamely running, all out
- Form 1212-43
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey T Scudamore
in touch, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 12th
- Form 7-29091
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer A J Martin
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in rear, smooth headway to track leading pair 14th, one length down and closing when blundered and fell heavily 2 out
- Form 3/8F1P1-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer B J M Ryall
- Jockey O Nelmes
chased leaders, under pressure 10th, 5th when blundered and fell 11th
Armageddon
19- Form 8P/P-382
- Age 8
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey L P Aspell
not fluent in mid-division lost place 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
- Form P15-647
- Age 8
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer Mrs L Richards
- Jockey M Batchelor
behind, blundered 13th, hit next, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, left poor 3rd next
- Form 94-P251
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 63
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
tracked leaders, chased winner 9th, ridden to lead narrowly approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on under pressure run-in
- Form 7-47F73
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer John Allen
- Jockey A Scholes
towards rear, pulled and dismounted before 5th
- Form PP2237
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer Mrs L Williamson
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up, headway 9th, weakened 13th
Tacita
22- Form P949/P-3
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer M D McMillan
- Jockey Mr M Wall
behind, effort 7th, 5th and no chance when fell 2 out
In depth
Verdict
The ability to jump and stay is a must here, and the very astute trainer Tony Martin clearly thinks that his raider Farmer Grant has the ability to do that. With A P McCoy booked we are prepared to jump on the bandwagon, while Pewter Light, Dunbrody Millar and Commanche Jim can all have a say. The selection sprang a bit of a surprise when ending an ordinary run of form to score at Cork recently over two miles. This is clearly a different task altogether, but he does love bottomless ground and is very interesting with the champion on board. Pewter Light will definitely get the trip in this ground and looks a thorough stayer. Those who are not convinced by the selection could do worse than a saver on him, though he does look weighted up to the hill from what we've seen. Dunbrody Millar is another who jumps and stays. He has been knocking on the door lately, but a 3lb rise for finishing second is not good news and he may again have to settle for the minors, while Ebony Jack impressed last week at Plumpton, but softer ground and a 7lb penalty will mean it will be much tougher trying to make all here. An interesting contest then, and we will take a chance on Farmer Grant.
Formwatch
Commanche Jim (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) In rear, tailed off 7th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Datito (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy, 13 ran.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Led 3rd, mistake 14th, ridden and headed 4 out, led again 2 out, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Cool Song (9-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov.
Princesse Grec (FR) 13-8fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed approaching last, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Ornella Speed (9-8) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs hcp chs (E) gs in Nov.
Farmer Grant (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Towards rear and well off pace, closer order in 3rd before 4 out, 2nd and ridden to chase leader from 2 out, stayed on well run-in to lead close home, won at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Nov beating Doora Volunteer (11-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Pewter Light (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Always prominent, reminders 2nd and 10th, led 14th to 15th, led after 3 out, headed flat, rallied to lead near finish, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Feb beating Kelantan (11-9) by a nk, 13 ran.
Armageddon 17-2 (10-5) With leaders, lost place 6th, headway 14th, ridden to go 2nd next, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Ashgreen (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 9-1 (10-3) Behind, hit 5th, driven along from 11th, struggling from 14th, 7th of 9, 38l behind Ebony Jack (9-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Ebony Jack (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Made virtually all, in command and came clear from 2 out, easily, won at Plumpton 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov beating Monks Error (11-2) by 10l, 9 ran.