Racecards
15:40 Fontwell Park
E.B.F./crandon Park Stud Mares Only 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class E)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Soft
Carly Bay
21- Form 04441
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer G Enright
- Jockey R Thornton
close up, every chance 3 out, weakened before next
- Form 06/000-0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Karen George
- Jockey S Durack
behind, weakened and mistake 3 out, pulled up before last
- Form 6-PP
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer D R Gandolfo
- Jockey L Stephens
held up and behind, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, hard ridden and slight lead last, hung badly left flat and headed near finish
- Form 322P-46
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer R Phillips
- Jockey J Mogford
held up towards rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on again flat
La Marette
24- Form 06-5555
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
prominent, hard ridden after 6th, weakened before 3 out and pulled up before next
Megalex
67- Form 3P4
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey P Hide
raced wide, tracked leaders, effort approaching 2 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead near finish (finished lame)
- Form 42
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
chased leader, no extra after 2 out
- Form 600U
- Age 4
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer J Mullins
- Jockey Mr R Young
raced keenly, led, hit 3 out and next, headed last, not quicken flat
Verdict
Another weak affair that lacks strength in depth and this should boil down to a match between Southdown House and Carly Bay. The latter confirmed previous promise to upset an odds-on favourite in a similar event at Plumpton last month and the daughter of Carlton looks capable of further success in the future but may struggle to concede 7lb to Southdown House. Richard Rowe's charge made a highly encouraging hurdling debut when a close second behind a useful yardstick over this trip at Chepstow last month. The form looks solid and with further improvement to come the Husyan mare can come out on top while La Morette has shown enough ability, albeit at a modest level, to suggest she can reach a place.