An intriguing little Handicap with only six lining up for the feature race at Fontwell today. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Pete The Feat ran in the Southern National last year before coming second in this and he looks to have been aimed at this for a while. Sam Twiston-Davies is back on board today having ridden him once before and hopes will be high he can get a good tune out of him but this may be best left to LEO LUNA, who has won over further here before and comes into this with a good mark. He should come on for his comeback run and Gary Moore’s yard continue in sparkling form.
1 Pete The Feat – Has been consistent without winning including when leaving a lay-off well behind him when a good second in this race last year. Well behind in eighth over 3m3f last time out in the Southern National 23 days ago behind a good one from the Paul Nicholls yard. Obviously goes well fresh and but not sure to be suited by today’s going with almost all of his wins coming on Soft or Heavy. Yard has been quiet recently but has been tuned up for this and has a chance.
2 Leo Luna – Won here twice last year over 2m6f and 3m2f on worse ground than he encounter’s today. Showed true colours when scoring by six lengths at Warwick in February but poor in six starts since including when well beaten on comeback at Ascot 18 days ago. Needs to have come on for that and back on a handy mark today. Yard remain in good form and big player.
3 St Dominick – Only one win in twelve runs but showed improved form to win a six-runner race in a similar at Exeter last November, doing it comfortably by ten lengths. Well below form in four runs since and fell on latest start at Ascot 17 days ago. Hard to fancy judged on that and trainer hasn’t sent a winner out for a while and not renowned for having them here.
4 Adam Du Breteau – Won comfortably by 8 lengths at Huntingdon over 2m3f two starts back on Good/Firm but let that form down last time when only fifth at Ludlow over this far. Has won comfortably over 2m7f at Warwick but needs to prove his stamina for this trip. Yard has been quiet recently and looks up against it here.
5 Leg Iron – Hasn’t been seen to best effect when winning well over this trip at Plumpton last year. Pulled up in the London National Handicap won by Rocky Creek from Paul Nicholls yard and easy to rule out here with a change of headgear applied.
6 Royal Native – Won a 3m Handicap Chase at Exeter last March on Good ground but only seen twice since. Only fourth of 19 when last seen in February but well beaten that day and has a lot to prove after a lay-off of 299 days.