Fontwell Park stages first jumps fixture in five months

Jump racing returns to Fontwell Park for the first time since the resumption of racing with an ultra-competitive nine-race card at the Sussex venue on Tuesday.
By Staff reporter
Published 17th Aug 2020, 13:30 BST
Over they go at Fontwell in March - and the racecourse has not seen action since / Picture: Mike Hewitt, GettyOver they go at Fontwell in March - and the racecourse has not seen action since / Picture: Mike Hewitt, Getty
Over they go at Fontwell in March - and the racecourse has not seen action since / Picture: Mike Hewitt, Getty

Local trainers with runners on the card include Gary Moore who saddles seven contenders, Richard Rowe with two runners and Suzi Best with a runner in the feature race at 2.45pm.

The feature contest has an excellent prize fund of £12,600 and is the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle. Lewes trainer Suzi Best saddles top-weight De Plotting Shed who was previously trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has won twice for his new trainer and was probably not suited by the ground when only fifth at Uttoxeter last time out. This looks a tough task to give weight to his nine rivals, but he is respected here.

Neil King’s horses are in fine form and the trainer is enjoying a 67% strike-rate in the last fortnight. He saddles the unexposed Gateway To Europe who finished a good second on his most recent start at Uttoxeter this month.

However, Chapmanshype looks the one to be with. He progressing rapidly last season, registering three successive victories at Fontwell in handicap company. He looked in need of the run on his return to action and is pitched into calmer waters for this assignment.

Others who warrant a mention include course and distance winner Umndeni who goes well fresh and Jacamar who boasted some smart form last season and ran-out on his last start when travelling into contention strongly.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

West Sussex trainer Moore runs the talented if fragile Et Moi Alors in the £6,100 attheraces Novices’ Handicap Chase (2.15pm). The six-year-old shaped with some promise when sixth at Stratford on his first start over fences and looks sure to progress from this effort.

Britain’s champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddles the unexposed Easyrun De Vassy who finished a good second over hurdles last time out and looks the type who will improve for the switch to fences. Seven Barrows maestro Nicky Henderson is also represented by Jen’s Boy who ran a race full of promise when a good second under a big weight at Southwell on his first start over fences.

Elsewhere on the card, the talented Darebin makes his return to action for Gary Moore in the £6,100 Download The At The Races App Handicap Chase at 3.45pm. The eight-year-old will be having his 50th career start on Tuesday and is a targeting an 11th victory under Rules. He was well-beaten on the Flat on his latest start and that will acted as a nice pipe-opener for this assignment. Arthur’s Sixpence has won his last two starts and is another to consider, along with course and distance winner Master Burbidge.

Moore also has an interesting runner in the 4.20pm at Fontwell courtesy of Fume. A daughter of the mighty Frankel, she has shaped nicely on three starts on the Flat this term and looks capable of further improvement now returning to the hurdling sphere with Moore’s son Jamie doing the steering.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The concluding £4,300 bumper is also a race of interest. Pepite De Belle was a good third for Dan Skelton last time out and looks sure to improve as she takes on Buttsbury Lady and Kayarnah who will both have to defy penalties to win this event.

Fontwell selections - tips via MyBettingSites.co.uk ...

1.45pm: Dante’s View

2.15pm: Easyrun De Vassy

2.45pm: Chapmanshype

3.15pm Raven’s Tower

3.45pm Darebin

4.20pm Nachi Falls

4.50pm Molliana

5.20pm Agentleman

5.50pm Pepite De Belle