Fontwell 4.30 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 5 1/2 furlongs.

 

A Course where experience and proven form is a massive bonus given its now unique (since we lost Windsor NH Track) configuration. The addition of AW turns a season or so back further boosts Course form as they do go a considerable way on AW underfoot. A lovely location in deepest Sussex on the A27; a road I have come to know very well.

 

The aforementioned Twenty Twenty from the Moore yard would be a very intriguing contender if running twice in 24 hours, whether the yard chose to back it or lay it we'd have to wait and see. I have ignored it from analysis for that reason as impossible to quantify. I hope it's a non runner.

 

Et Apres Tous is a favourite I'm happy to take on, no real form at the trip or on very soft ground. Ostuni for Paul Nicholls won this last year and then ran runner up off an increased mark next time. Had almost a year off and pulled up just 13 days ago on return and didn't run with any zip that day. Nicholls is we know an absolute genius but at the price even by his standards the horse would need to come on a bomb. The percentage call at the price has to be to oppose.

 

Ventura Dragon would be a very popular winner for Leighton Aspell on his last day riding, a consumate superb and very under-rated horseman, wish him nothing but good things but the horse has yet to prove stamina at trip and preference for Going and as an ex Flat horse may need firmer conditions. Jamesaintpartick won a hard fought race at Warwick 73 days ago and sensibly given time off after a hard race by the upwardly mobile Amy Murphy. Up 4 lbs and from a 3 mile P2P background on a very different track to Warwick, just a niggle it may both need the run and suited by a more conventional track. A big danger, possibly the one i'm most worried about.

 

One to certainly put in your Trackers is CHLOES COURT who had a hard race when winning late last year, flopped after that and had a wind operation about a month ago, one to Track after today whatever happens.

 

My picks than are, as a TIP - THE RAVENS RETURN , who ticks pretty much every box. A Course and Distance winner on Good Going, but a NH Flat winner on very Heavy going, Coleman rides, nice Handicap mark and hard to find any reason why it should not be very competitive.

 

For the TRACKER - old INVICTA LAKE may not be one to totally write off just yet. Both runs this season may have been needed, ran well for a long way over further last time out and won over Course and Distance last February off a mark of 88. Gets back to within a pound of that here today. Knows every blade of grass round here and the very capable Sean Bowen is booked. It's a big price and clearly not the force of old but off this mark and in optimum conditions with the Course experience, may still be one last tune in the fiddle.

TIP - THE RAVENS RETURN / TRACKER - Invicta Lake.