Racecards
14:55 Fontwell Park
Betfred 540 Shops Nationwide Claiming Hurdle (Class F)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 2f 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- Age 4
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer H J Manners
- Jockey J A Jenkins
held up, headway 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
- Form 04-0224
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 109
tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon clear, hit last, finished tired
- Form 2P424P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey H Oliver
in touch, tracked leaders 4th, ridden and weakened 6th
Shaman
154- Form 393-R66
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey J E Moore
mid-division, headway to go 3rd at the 6th, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, kept on same pace
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J J Bridger
- Jockey R Greene
led after 1st until 4th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 6th
- Form R573P-U
- Age 7
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Mrs L J Mongan
- Jockey C Bolger
chased leaders until 5th, soon behind
- Form 5074P5
- Age 9
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer F Jordan
- Jockey L P Aspell
mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out
- Form 17820-P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey J P McNamara
led until after 1st, led 4th until 3 out, weakened next
- Form 7F-P
- Age 4
- Weight 10-8
chased leaders until weakened after 6th
- Form 2
- Age 4
- Weight 10-1
- Trainer P Butler
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
tailed off from 5th, pulled up after 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Critical Stage has been performing consistently well of late and has to be respected dropping into this grade but he may struggle to concede 6lbs to Kristoffersen, who is preferred to Scarlet Mix. The last mentioned has claims at the weights but has disappointed in two recent starts, over hurdles at Exeter and on the level at Lingfield, so is probably best watched. Shaman makes his first start of the campaign and is entitled to need the run, while Oulton Broad has given little cause for optimism in two recent outings. Royale Acadou was unfortunate at Plumpton last time but is hard to back with any confidence and preference is for Kristoffersen, who ran too badly to be true at Plumpton last time and may be worth another chance in this grade for trainer Ian Williams.
Formwatch
Critical Stage (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, ridden, every chance 3 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 9l behind Phar Out Phavorite (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Oct.
Kristoffersen 2-5fav (11-4) In touch, driven and no impression before 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Barking Mad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (F) gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Shaman 66-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, never near leaders, 6th of 18, 10l behind Monticelli (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jun.
Royale Acadou (FR) 50-1 (10-13) Close up when hampered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Master d'Or (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Oulton Broad 9-2 (11-8) Held up, ridden headway 3 out, soon chased leaders, faded, 5th of 9, 16l behind Indian Star (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (G) sft.
Purr 9-1 (10-5) Close up, ridden and weakened 3 out, last of 5, 26l behind Killing Me Softly (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Mar.
Scarlet Mix (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Jumped left in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Don't Ask Me (10-1) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct, 14 ran.
Somewhere My Love 66-1 (9-8) Held up, headway under pressure from 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 26l behind Barking Mad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (F) gs in Oct.