Fontwell Park survives coronavirus call-offs - preview and selections

As a number of sports postpone their schedule due to fears over the spread of coronavirus, Fontwell Park’s seven-race card is still set to take place this afternoon.
Fontwell Park action / Picture: GettyFontwell Park action / Picture: Getty
Fontwell Park action / Picture: Getty

At the end of Cheltenham Festival week, the meeting may lack some top-class names, but the action is competitive all the same. The first race is at 1.40pm with the finale at 5.10pm. The Racing Post have previewed all of the action with stats and analysis.

In the opening £4,300 Maiden Hurdle (1.40pm), the unexposed Wagner looks to have leading claims for Anthony Honeyball. The five-year-old son of Mahler finished a fine third on his debut for the stable at Taunton in January and will have learnt plenty from that effort. A £50,000 purchase, this race should suit and he is of strong interest for a trainer who has saddles 42 winners at the Sussex venue from 135 runners, an impressive 31% strike-rate.

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Gary Moore has saddled 228 winners at Fontwell throughout his career, an impressive 18% strike-rate and he has a live chance in the opener courtesy of Hit The Rocks. The five-year-old son of Fast Company was a creditable 12-length second to Cap Du Mathan at Plumpton in January and he will relish ground conditions given his solid form on heavy ground.

White Chocolate has finished in the placings on all three of his starts for Seamus Mullins, which included a convincing win at Plumpton in Janaury. Placed behind a subsequent Graded winner earlier this season, his form has a strong look to it and he makes appeal in the feature race of the day, the £10,287 Handicap Hurdle at 2.15pm.

Duhallow Gesture is a course and distance winner, tasting defeat at the venue in March 2019. The son of King’s Theatre shaped with promise at Wincanton in November in a stronger race and this event might not take as much winning.

Misty Whisky represents Harry Fry who is currently enjoying an 11% strike-rate and has good form this season despite failing to justify odds-on favouritism at Market Rasen in October and Exeter in December. Stepping into handicap company might be the making of her and she has good claims in a wide-open event.

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Daytime Ahead represents Ron Hodges who is currently enjoying a 50% record and he bounced back to his best with a convincing win at Exeter earlier this month. Soft ground is bonus and he is not without a chance in this event.

The five-runner field is completed by the Nigel Hawke-trained Nikap who was successful at Uttoxeter in maiden company at Uttoxeter in November but was well-beaten at Doncaster last time out.

Misty Whisky represents Harry Fry who is currently enjoying an 11% strike-rate and has good form this season despite failing to justify odds-on favouritism at Market Rasen in October and Exeter in December. Stepping into handicap company might be the making of her and she has good claims in a wide-open event.

Elsewhere on the card, course and distance winner Native Robin can return to winning ways following a creditable third at Doncaster last time in the £8,035 Handicap Chase (4.35pm), whilst in, the £7,723 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (5.10pm), The Raven’s Return, who has some excellent placed form this term for Seamus Mullins has leading claims under the talented Page Fuller in the finale.

Fontwell Park Selections:

1.40pm Maiden Hurdle (2m1½f)

Selection: Wagner

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2.15pm Dr Alastair Wells Retirement Mares' Handicap Hurdle (2m1½f)

Selection: Duhallow Gesture

2.50pm Wayne Andrews Stag Party Handicap Chase (2m 2f)

Selection: Delface

3.25pm Follow At The Races On Twitter Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2m 3f)

Selection: Made For You

4.00pm Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle (3m 2f)

Selection: Little Boy Boru

4.35pm Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Chase (2m5½f)

Selection: Native Robin

5.10pm Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (2m 3f)

Selection: The Raven’s Return

For the latest news, racecards, analysis and stats, head to the Racing Post.