Racecards
14:30 Fontwell Park
Crown Racing First For Service Beginners' Chase (Class D )
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 5-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey James Davies
made all, stayed on gamely, all out
- Form 10-2224
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer R H Alner
- Jockey A Thornton
chased winner, hit 2nd, challenged approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance last, no extra
Little Ed
394- Form 5B2-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey T Doyle
chased leaders until 7th, in touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out
- Form 1155-54
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, took closer order 11th, close 3rd and every chance when fell 2 out
- Form P3F-P23
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey J Tizzard
held up, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten, left 3rd 2 out
Jonchee (FR)
90- Form 5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer Mrs L C Taylor
- Jockey M Bradburne
chased leaders until 6th, behind from 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
- Form 2F3-645
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up in touch, hit 2nd, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
This is a fascinating novice chase and it could fall to Distant Thunder, with Lotus Des Pictons and Lalagune put forward as the main rivals. Robert Alner's gelding was an excellent second behind L'Ami in a grade two event at Lingfield last month, before running with credit behind Ollie Magern in the Feltham at Kempton on Boxing Day. With nothing of that class in today's contest he should be capable of landing his first victory over the larger obstacles. Martin Pipe's Lotus Des Pictons has contested some top hurdle events and run well over fences in France. He should go close on his first venture over the British fences. Lalagune looks best of the remainder having taken on decent opposition in his races this season. The rest make little appeal and so it shouldn't be too difficult for Distant Thunder to make the most of his class and he gets a confident vote