£70k-plus up for grabs in Fontwell's Friday fixture

The feature race is a competitive handicap chase at 2.10pm which carries a prize fund of £18,500. Imperial Presence carries joint top-weight and comes into this context following a smooth win at Stratford in August. A talented performer, he will have to improve again to win this, but is ridden by Richard Johnson who is currently enjoying a 13% strike-rate.

Romain De Senam also heads the weights and has his first run for Paul Nicholls. He was successful at Newton Abbot in May 2019, but disappointed on his next two starts for the Ditcheat handler. He has joined a trainer who excels with horses coming back from a break.

Skelton also saddles Cobra De Mai, the choice of his brother Harry as he makes a first start since finishing a solid sixth in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival over a longer trip.

Erick Le Rouge is well-regarded and was a creditable fourth in a Grade Two event at Kempton in February and crucially runs well fresh, whilst Princeton Royale bids to back a smart win at Stratford last month, the form of which has taken a boost since.

Highway One O One has been a stable star for Chirs Gordon and makes his comeback after a largely disappointing season. However, he looks well-weighted on the best of his ability and it is easy to see him returning to form following wind surgery given he goes well fresh.

Mellow Ben, Azzerti, Drumcliff and Aintree My Dream complete the 10 runners.

The handicap hurdle at 1.35pm is another competitive affair in which local trainer Gary Moore saddles the unexposed Vorashann. The four-year-old was a good second on his first start since wind surgery over course and distance last month and looks the type to progress again.

Baddesley Knight went chasing last season to good effect, reverts to timber for his first start of the season. He should improve from this run and has to shoulder top-weight.

King Pellinor is an interesting runner who has his first start for Jonjo O’Neill having proved largerly disappointing for Joseph O’Brien in Ireland, whilst Miss Heritage brings solid form to the table, having finished a solid third in a competitive mares’ handicap hurdle at Doncaster in February.

Foreign Secretary used to be trained by Aidan O’Brien and joined Dr Richard Newland following a spell with John Halley in Ireland. He shaped nicely at Plumpton last time out and cannot be written off, whilst First Lord De Cuet was well-beaten in a competitive Graded event at Kempton in March, but is the type to improve this term.

Elsewhere, the beginners’ chase at 1.00pm which has a prize fund of £8,035 features five fascinating contenders, none more so than I K Brunel who romped to victory at Musselburgh in February having previously finished behind The Big Breakaway at Newbury

Coolanly started favourite for both of his starts over fences and should have learnt from those experiences, whilst the Gary Moore-trained Full Back has the scope for chasing and boasts winning form at Fontwell. Fellow chasing debutants Black Buble and Mason Jar complete the five runners.

Fontwell Selections

12.30pm Fearless

1.00pm Coolanly

1.35pm Vorashann

2.10pm Highway One O One

2.45pm Balko Saint

3.20pm Buster Edwards

3.55pm Volturnus

4.30pm Sexy Lot

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert