Racecards
14:10 Fontwell Park
Express Cafes 'national Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (div 2) (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £5,500 added
- Form 7-0
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey S Thomas
in touch, ridden approaching 6th, soon beaten
- Form 2-P0
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer P C Ritchens
- Jockey Mr J Snowden
led, blundered 6th, soon ridden, headed after 3 out, weakened before next, virtually pulled up flat
- Form 8-8
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer V R A Dartnall
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
towards rear, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, never dangerous
Golding Hop
325- Form 9-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer P Winkworth
- Jockey B Fenton
held up, fell 4th
- Form 20/60
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey G Lee
raced freely, prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, held when mistake last
- Form 5/06
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey W T Kennedy
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd flat
- Form 1-37
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Johnson
mid-division, headway 6th, led 2 out, clear last, drifted right flat, ridden out
- Form 4-2260
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer J W Mullins
- Jockey A Thornton
chased leaders, outpaced 6th, never dangerous after, hung right flat
- Form 61
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
tracked leader, hit 4th, ridden to lead briefly after 3 out, weakened next
- Form 5-49
- Age 6
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey J Diment
towards rear, some late progress, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
Matcho Pierji must go close if continuing his improvement, however the vote goes to Tisseman in what appears to be a two-horse race. The selection won his bumper in October, and the way he battled on that occasion stands him in good stead for his hurdling debut. Nicky Henderson has his stable in good form, and his gelding could be up to winning today. In direct opposition is the improving Matcho Peirji from the Jonjo O'Neill stable. He appeared to be much sharper last time out when staying on well for second at Towcester, and in the knowledge that he handles the soft ground, he has major claims. McCoy was on board for the gelding's disappointing debut at Uttoxeter, but the fact that he returns to the saddle today can only be a positive, and if it turns into a battle near the finish then there is no-one stronger than the champ. He is reluctantly passed over though, as he steps up in trip today which is not necessarily going to suit. Of the rest, Go Johnny has place claims if improving on his fair hurdling debut behind South O'The Border, as does Noel Chance's Lissara, although he too would have to step up on previous efforts. Overall then, we side with Tisseman to make a his hurdles debut a successful one.
Formwatch
Bynack Mhor (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 6th, soon tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Treasury Counsel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Fox 'n' Goose (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 11th of 14, well behind De Soto (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Go Johnny (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 5th, soon struggling, 8th of 14, 21l behind South O'The Border (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Golding Hop 25-1 (11-4) Raced wide, held up in rear, struggling final 4f, 9th of 11, well behind Cockspur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Joke Club 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Treasury Counsel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lissara (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, close to order 5th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 20l behind Sobers (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Or Jaune (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Slightly hampered 4th, always rear division, 7th of 14, 35l behind Nightfly (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Or Sing About (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 15, 46l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Tisseman (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside 4f out, challenged over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct beating Bennett (10-13) by 2l, 10 ran.
Sawpit Sunset 100-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 24l behind South O'The Border (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, chased winner and jumped right 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Glinton (10-13) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.