Racecards
15:10 Fontwell Park
Gales Novices' Hurdle
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 6f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 342053
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Christian Williams
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge and hit 2 out, narrow lead and hit last, kept narrow advantage run-in, driven to assert near finish
- Form 781361
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
tracked leaders to 5th, prominent, led and quickened 8th, driven and joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, every chance run-in, held near finish
- Form FP8
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer G P Enright
- Jockey R Lucey-Butler
keen, held up in touch, hit 6th, took poor 3rd and blundered 2 out
Coyote Lakes
245- Form 0-0P6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer M McGrath
- Jockey J P McNamara
led and set steady pace, mistake 2nd, headed 8th, stayed chasing leaders until weakened after 3out
Zaktoo (IRE)
22- Form P6
- Age 4
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer C J Drewe
- Jockey Mr T Messenger
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd 5th, weakened 3out
In depth
Verdict
The two that stand out against the field are Alikat and Goblet Of Fire, with the former just preferred as the least exposed. Tiger Lair can also figure for each-way players if the dead eight stand their ground, as he does not have too much to find to reverse Cheltenham form with Goblet Of Fire. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained five-year-old has been off for quite sometime though and does need to prove his fitness. Goblet Of Fire has been consistent since he switched to hurdles and has paid his way in win and place money. However, he does have a tendency to find a few too good and looks opposable on these terms. Especially as Alikat is in receipt of 7lb today. Martin Pipe has been patient with this son of Alhaarth since he arrived from Ireland and, with the trip and ground also in his favour, he has a solid chance of adding to his tally today.