Racecards
17:55 Fontwell Park
Lewis Saab Novices' Handicap Chase (Class E) (Class E)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
Gielgud
32- Form P-2341U
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey C Llewellyn
tracked leader, led 14th, headed and mistake 16th, ridden soon after and weakened
- Form F0000-P
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, mistake 6th, hit 8th, ridden approaching 10th, well behind when refused 11th
- Form 004-224
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
led, hit 4th, ridden and headed 14th, mistake 16th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase winner in vain last
- Form U22P62
- Age 8
- Weight 10-1
tracked leaders and keen, hit 9th, ridden 13th, weakened 15th
Mensch (IRE)
13- Form 2-15115
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey Christian Williams
held up rear, blundered badly 9th, headway 10th, led and mistake 16th, hard ridden when hit and jumped right last, kept on
- Form 111632
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Jean-Rene Auvray
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up in touch, steady headway halfway, chased leaders from 3 out, fading approaching last
In depth
Verdict
Frederic Forever, Gielgud and Mensch are three against the field in this novices handicap chase and the vote goes to Frederic Forever. The selection has been running well without winning of late but he remains on a fair mark and a reproduction of his latest fourth behind Smile Pleeze would make him hard to beat, especially as the step up in trip is sure to suit. Gielgud rates the main danger. He had every chance when his saddle slipped in the race won by Klondike Charger last time and he remains on the same mark here and has definite place claims. Mensch was well beaten in a hurdle last time out and will appreciate the return to fences but he is still prone to errors and for that reason he is opposed. Harnage is another that could go well, but although he has place claims he will do well to win off this mark, so for the winner we return to Frederic Forever.