3.30pm Fontwell Tips & Betting Preview 13/02/2017

Seven runners go to post for the fourth race of the day at Fontwell, a seven runner novices’ hurdle, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Casper King’s six second places does make backing him risky at a short price and he needs to to overcome a nine pound penalty for his latest win at Exeter, which will be no easy thing and hands the advantage to CASH AGAIN. He shaped well in a deeper contest than this last time out at Ffos Las on ground similar to today’s and this uphill finish could suit this son of Great Pretender and finally fulfil his potential.

1 CASPER KING – Finished second on six occasions under rules but finally got off the market at the eight attempt when winning well at Exeter in January (2m, Soft). That was a very comfortable success and as a result has been raised 9lb which is fair, though you’d have to be concerned that could catch him out with how many times he’s hit the crossbar in his career. Will obviously need more against some interesting types but has to be considered a main danger with Richard Johnson taking the ride.

2 NOT ANOTHER MUDDLE – Showed promise in one bumper here and was a good second at Plumpton on hurdling debut in January, only beaten a neck (2m 4f, Soft). He went one better the race after here over the 2m 3f trip when winning well despite racing keenly and drops down in trip which has to be a question mark. Travels well throughout his races in the main so it’s possible it’ll be fine, and you can guarantee he’ll be a strong stayer in this softer. Has to be considered a threat for the Gary Moore team and is respected.

3 BOUNDRY – Showed definite potential in bumpers including a win at Newcastle back in February 2016 but has been poor in the main over hurdles. Finishing third at Plumpton on hurdling debut, he didn’t go on from that when tailed off at Newbury and pulled up on the two races that came afterwards. Warren Greatrex’s yard is going well at present but this six year old seems very unlikely to be adding to that tall and is most likely best watched today.

4 CASH AGAIN – Second to Jenkins on bumper debut for Paul Nicholls (2m, Good) and hasn’t necessarily been disgraced over hurdles so far, though has been thoroughly disappointing all the same. Finishing fourth and well beaten at Uttoxeter on hurdling debut (2m 3f, Good) before a fourth in better company at Ffos Las in November (2m 4f, Soft). Close behind a subsequent winner on that occasion and going back down in trip may well help for powerful connections. Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride and has to be respected.

5 MAB DAB – Showed little promise in two bumpers for Linda Jewell and again showed no promise on hurdling debut, well beaten on Boxing Day at Fontwell (2m 1f, Good to Soft). On that basis he’s very hard to recommend and others have far more pressing claims, so is best left alone today.

6 MARKET ROAD – Has shown very little in three runs for Evan Williams, well beaten on all three occasions. His latest eighth at Hereford represented a new low when turning out like a light when challenged and its impossible to make a case for him in much more difficult company today. Best to look past him.

7 THE MIGHTY DON – NR