Racecards
14:00 Fontwell Park
Holly Tree Novices' Hurdle (Class E)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Form 24-21U1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer J Neville
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
held up, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, no extra
- Form 662P-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off
- Form 00/14F3-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
always behind, reminders after 3rd, tailed off
- Form 310/243
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey Mrs C J Mann
mid-division, headway from 2 out, ran on gamely from last
- Form 02
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
chased leaders, headway 3 out, led 2 out, ran on strongly, comfortably
Loc A Lua (IRE)
345- Form 0/2F-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-2
mid-division, soon behind from 6 out, tailed off
- Form 1-42
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
led, slipped on landing after 4th, soon weakened
- Form 2-23P42
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
always prominent, ridden 3 out, not reach leaders
Swansea Bay
42- Form 262
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey J Culloty
in touch, ridden 4 out, one-paced
Almanoso
27- Form 6-4055
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer R Curtis
- Jockey Jonathan Eddery
held up behind until tailed off from 5th
- Form 003
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey Mr R Walford
mid-division, ridden from 4 out, no impression from 3 out
Griselina (IRE)
431- Form 0/05-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Mr D Phelan
took keen hold, in touch until 4 out, one-paced afterwards
In depth
Formwatch
Cresswell Native (IRE) Highly regarded by her trainer, and has won her last two completed starts, the most recent being a ten length victory here. Steps up in trip here, but if she stays she could win.
Kentford Fern Sprang a surprise over course and distance last month with a relatively easy course and distance win. Capable of improving and that sort of performance would give her every chance here.
Another Gentleman Moderate form in bumpers and points. Off the course for some time and stiff task here.
Gaora Cross (IRE) Winning point-to-point form in Ireland, and three reasonable efforts so far over hurdles but appears to be up against it here.
Il Falco (FR) Off the course for a long time and seems only moderate.
Legal Lunch (USA) Fair staying handicapper on the flat, so should appreciate this trip. Put up an excellent performance when running over two and a half miles at Doncaster last time, finishing strongly in second behind Rum Pointer. Only slight improvement needed to play a big part in this.
Loc A Lua (IRE) Coming back from a year's absence and no form when previously trained in Ireland.
Rescator (FR) Seems to have own ideas about the game, but won his bumper here and not disgraced under the circumstances when second at Plumpton last month. Not one to rule out totally if he behaves himself.
Sir d'Orton (FR) Consistent level of form over hurdles but more exposed than most and it would be a surprise if he does not find a few better in this race.
Stand Aside Encouraging debut for new yard when second at Kempton recently, and looks to have plenty of scope. Would only need to improve a little on that effort to hold good claims over this slightly further trip, which could easily suit.
Swansea Bay Second in a bumper here last month but this looks a stiff task on hurdles debut.
Almanoso Showed little on hurdles debut here and hard to see her troubling some of these.
Dandy Blush (IRE) Remote third in fairly poor race here last month, but this looks much harder.
Expense Account (IRE) Well beaten in only run so far, in a bumper. Hurdles debut.
Griselina (IRE) Showed some ability last season but overall faces a stiff task on seasonal debut.
Citius (IRE) Won on desperate ground at Folkestone last time, only his second start under rules. Former point-to-point winner in Ireland, so should stay the distance and clearly one for the shortlist.