Expect a storm to brew up in Fontwell's National Spirit Hurdle

It's National Spirit Hurdle raceday at Fontwell Park on Sunday - and we have some selections for you.
The National Spirit Hurdle is the highlight of Fontwell's Sunday card / Picture: GettyThe National Spirit Hurdle is the highlight of Fontwell's Sunday card / Picture: Getty
The National Spirit Hurdle is the highlight of Fontwell's Sunday card / Picture: Getty

Here are the tips from MyRacing for the whole card, which has its centrepiece at 3.10pm.

2.10 – Cherokee Bill

2.40 – High Up In The Air

3.10 – Brewin’upastorm (nap)

3.40 – Brewers Project

4.10 – Grangeclare Glory

4.40 – Sametegal

5.10 - Lavorante

2:10 He's a 10yo maiden but CHEROKEE BILL was a fairly promising fourth at Doncaster last time, in a better race than this, and he's taken to come out on top now 3lb lower and having had wind surgery. The Crooner has shown improved form the last twice, finishing second over C&D ten days ago, and this 6yo is feared most. Invincible Cave has won three of his last five starts but might not want the ground to dry out.

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2:40 There are possible queries about the trip and ground (if it dries to good to soft) for HIGH UP IN THE AIR but he has made a fine sight over fences on his last four starts and he looks the most likely winner again. Ashutor makes most appeal among the rest, despite not having raced since September.

3:10 McFabulous has won two Grade 2s this season and could be capable of better still for Paul Nicholls, but he concedes 6lb to BREWIN'UPASTORM (nap) today and preference is for Olly Murphy's runner on account of his impressive handicap win at Taunton last month. Last season's Fighting Fifth winner Cornerstone Lad is an interesting contender now back over hurdles.

3:40 Fantastikas has leading form claims but the drop back in distance isn't an obvious plus and preference is for Wincanton winner BREWERS PROJECT, for whom the step back up in trip looks a likely positive. Manvers House could be in the mix if fully tuned up back from an absence, while French Flat winner Saghir is an interesting hurdling newcomer for Gary Moore.

4:10 There was enough promise in GRANGECLARE GLORY's latest third in a novice at Doncaster to suggest that he brings sufficient potential to make a winning handicap debut over this much longer trip. Imperial Acolyte is next on the list, with a return to form looking probable following his forgivable result last time.

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4:40 This is a golden opportunity for the Paul Nicholls-trained SAMETEGAL to make it 2-2 in hunter chases, having won a stronger race at Wincanton this month. Kashmir Peak showed some solid hunter chase form early last year and looks likeliest to be best of the rest, although Sonneofpresenting is an attractive each-way option if the ground is no worse than good to soft. He was a useful handicapper in his prime and soft going wouldn't have suited on his reappearance at Warwick.

5:10 Gary Moore won this in 2017 and 2018 and his LAVORANTE is the selection today, having shown promise in an Irish maiden point and a Kempton bumper. The Paul Nicholls-trained newcomer Le Chiffre D'Or is feared most, ahead of Gentleman Valley who was a close third on his debut at Catterick despite getting loose beforehand.

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