Sussex success comes in familiar form at Fontwell Park

The Pulborough handler has sent the eight-year-old to post at the track four times in the past tive months - and he has now repaid him with two wins, a second and a fourth.

His latest win, steered by Paddy Brennan, was a comfortable one after he made his move to hit the front of the pack just under a circuit from home.

Current Climate, a 7/1 shot tipped on this website on Friday morning, eventually came in ten lengths ahead of Cebonne to take the Hardings Catering Services Handicap Chase.

That was a sweet outcome for the Sussex-based Encore Partnership, for whom Current Climate is the fourth winning horse they have had looked after by Rowe.

Rowe was the only local trainer to taste victory but Petworth’s Alison Batchelor wasn’t far off - she saw 11/1 contender Border Station come in second to Midnight Sail, trained by Alan King, in the John Smith’s Supporting CICRA Novices’ Chase - that after the favourite Sir Du Bearn had pulled up.

Two of the first three contests went to 16/1 winners - the Crohn’s In Children Research Association Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, taken by Thomas Flint, riding Lastchanceforlisa for trainer dad John, and the Hardings Catering Supports CICRA Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, won by Gavin Sheehan on the Charlie Mann-trained Who Owns Me.

Marshal Zhukov, piloted by James Best, was 6/1 winner of the CICRA Charity Raceday Handicap Hurdle, while Nick Scholfield staged a tremendous late surge over the final couple of furlongs to take the 3663 First For Food Service Supporting CICRA Handicap Chase on Oncle Kid (17/2) - another winner tipped on this site.

The last, the Brakes Fresh Ideas Supporting CICRA Handicap Hurdle, was taken by Manics Man (10/1), ridden by Sam Thomas for Helen Nelmes.

A decent-sized crowd for Fontwell’s second April meeting escaped the thundery showers that affected much of the south throughout the day.

Fontwell’s next meeting is the evening card on Friday, May 4, which will be followed by funk and soul music from The Reel Deal Band.

STEVE BONE