Well we had a smattering of winners and placed horses from those mentioned in last night’s write up. Hopefully we can add to that tally at Fontwell and Naas tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Countryside race day at Fontwell Park with the main event being the National Spirit Hurdle at 3.45. Lough Derg is a worthy favourite after some heroic exploits this season and there is every chance that he will once again be very difficult to peg back. Afsoun is the obvious danger but he does seem to find one too good for him a lot of the time and Lough Derg looks a better bet. Paul Nicholls has Pierrot Lunaire who was a very smart juvenile last season but has fallen on both his starts this term. He was only beaten a length and a quarter by Binocular last season at Kempton and then went on to beat Blue Bajan at Aintree. He may well be a spring horse and could be the danger to David Pipe’s runner. Pouvoir is an interesting runner. He has had injury problems and may well need this outing. If he comes out of this race OK he may be aimed at one of the handicaps at Cheltenham in a couple of weeks.
Paul Nicholls sends a strong team to Fontwell and his Alfie Sherrin, a Chepstow bumper winner will be fancied to win on his hurdles bow in the 2.10. His main rivals look to be Ballycarney and Richard’s Sundance.
Other likely Nicholls winners are Kicks for Free (2.40), Royal Auclair (4.15) and Oamaru Stone (5.15).
There is also a good card over in Ireland at Naas.
In the 2.15 Jaffonnien and Smoking Aces would be my each way fancies. The former was below par at Punchestown but has been given a break and is better than he showed on that occasion. Smoking Aces was runner up at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and the form of that race has worked out well.
Zaarito was 3rd in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season behind Cousin Vinny and got off the mark over hurdles last time out at Punchestown. He looks an exciting prospect and is the one they all have to beat on the 2.45. The strong travelling Go Native is the main danger. He has been first or second on his last 6 starts but does not always find much off the bridle. In Paul Carberry though he has the ideal pilot.
I am going to go for a couple of outsiders in the 3.15. Joncol is a big strong sort and has won 3 of his 5 career starts all on heavy ground. Given the right underfoot conditions he should go well. Good Fella was an easy winner at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day and has been second a couple of times since then. He has taken well to fences and shown a taking attitude.
In the 4.50 Limestone Cowboy is my each way selection. He was 3rd in a handicap at Fairyhouse last week.
Points winner Early Doors is an interesting runner in the bumper at 5.20. He won his point to point in good style and I will be following his career under rules with interest.
That is about it for tonight. After searching for a suitable illustration I decided on a painting of Moorcroft Boy by the artist Trudy Redfern. The Fontwell 4.50 is names after Moorcroft Boy, a former winner of the Scottish National at Ayr who is now one of the horses cared for by The Racehorse Sanctuary.
Trudy Redfern has connections with Fontwell Park. You can see more examples of her work by following the link below.
ahorse 