Jump racing picture special: Trio of favourites prevail at Fontwell Park

The racing was competitive on paper, but the afternoon’s winners all crossed the line comfortably ahead of their opponents. Of the seven races, three were won by favourites.

Read on for a report of the Fontwell card provided in association with Sporting Life.

See Clive Bennett’s pictures from the day on this page and those linked – or all on the single page if you are on the Observer app.

We began with a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over two miles and three furlongs (13.44). Henrietta Knight’s Moab was the 11/8 favourite, but could manage only third after being unable to go with the leaders late on. Instead, it was James Owen’s Crooked Path who took the honours at 6/4 under Callum Pritchard. He went clear approaching the last, eventually winning by five and a half lengths. Motazzen finished second at 5/1, with Moab in third.

The second race was a novices’ handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs (14.19). Paul Nicholls sent out the second-favourite Inca De Lafayette at 7/2, but it was Neil Mulholland’s Double Powerful who justified favouritism at 8/11. Richie McLernon’s mount made all the running to secure a six-and-a-half-length victory. Inca De Lafayette finished second, with Jonjo and A J O’Neill’s All The Glory taking third at 4/1.

Next came a novices’ hurdle over two miles and three furlongs (14.54). Jonjo and A J O’Neill’s Nightflyer was sent off at 6/4, but had to settle for second behind Ferocimo. Trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, Ferocimo travelled strongly throughout before taking the lead two hurdles from home, pulling clear to win comfortably by 14 lengths. Nightflyer held on for second, while Hawa Jumeirah finished third at outsider odds of 50/1.

The fourth race was a mares’ maiden hurdle over two miles and one furlong (15.29). Neil Mulholland’s Emerald Quest attracted plenty of support and started the 8/13 favourite, but could do no better than fourth. Instead, Dan Skelton’s Katios Queen made headway and challenged approaching the final hurdle, winning comfortably by nearly three lengths. Roxy Russet was second at 11/2, with Sky Blue Ribbon a distant third at 125/1.

A handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs followed (16.04). Henrietta Knight’s Roi Du Risk was the 6/5 favourite, but weakened in the latter stages. The victory instead went to Alexandra Dunn’s Holy Legend, who had challenged the leaders three fences from home, staying on well to score by just under five lengths. Jackomy finished second at 11/2, with Roi Du Risk in third.

The penultimate race was a handicap hurdle over two miles and one furlong (16.39). Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies’ Chief Sunday was the 3/1 favourite, but could do no better than eighth. Uncle Remus took full advantage, making all the running and eventually winning comfortably by five and a half lengths. Alex Hales’ Lord Of The Glance finished second at 4/1, while Neil Mulholland’s Castle Quarter took third at 11/1.

Last of all was a handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs (17.14). Emma Lavelle’s Ballymoreen was the 4/5 favourite and ran to justify the price, scoring by three and a half lengths to That Is Blue at 6/1. Neil Mulholland’s Atreides finished third at 9/2.

Fontwell results - Thursday:

13.44 - Crooked Path (6/4)

14.19 - Double Powerful (8/11F)

14.54 - Ferocimo (11/8F)

15.29 - Katios Queen (2/1)

16.04 - Holy Legend (8/1)

16.39 - Uncle Remus (10/3)

17.14 - Ballymoreen (4/5F)