Two past winners take on four rivals in Fontwell's National Spirit Hurdle - preview and tips

Lil Rockerfeller and Old Guard are each bidding to add a second National Spirit Hurdle success to their CVs at Fontwell on Sunday.
Lil Rockerfeller - 2016 winner of the National Spirit Hurdle / Picture by Clive BennettLil Rockerfeller - 2016 winner of the National Spirit Hurdle / Picture by Clive Bennett
Lil Rockerfeller - 2016 winner of the National Spirit Hurdle / Picture by Clive Bennett

The Neil King-trained Lil Rockerfeller and Paul Nicholls’ Old Guard, which is owned by TV's Jeremy Kyle, are among six left in the frame for the £80,000 Netbet Casino-sponsored race, which is off at 2.50pm.

Rockerfeller won it in 2016 and Old Guard last year, with the latter beating the former 12 months ago.

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The contest has been run at Fontwell for more than 50 years and always draws a strong field.

The pair will be up against five other rivals - If The Cap Fits (trained by Harry Fry - likely to go off as one of the favourites), Ballynoy (Nigel Twiston-Davies), Vision Des Flos (Colin Tizzard) and Vive Le Roi (Tony Carroll). Sussex Ranger (Gary Moore) is now a non-runner.

Fontwell clerk of the course Philip Hide said: “I think it’s a good-quality set of entries for a race which is always competitive.

“It looks an appealing race for trainers – quite open, I would say.”

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The rest of the card has 53 runners across six races. The first race is off at 1.50pm - you can pay on the day.

Lil Rockerfeller - 2016 winner of the National Spirit Hurdle / Picture by Clive BennettLil Rockerfeller - 2016 winner of the National Spirit Hurdle / Picture by Clive Bennett
Lil Rockerfeller - 2016 winner of the National Spirit Hurdle / Picture by Clive Bennett

Our tips: 150 Invicta Lake, 220 Diakali, 250 If The Cap Fits, 325 Zafar, 355 Seaston Spirit, 425 Shantou Flyer, 455 Thunderstruck.

See highlights from Fontwell's Valentine's Day meeting, above