Fontwell - Sat 14 Mar 2026
CATCH ON ME filled second place in a similar event over an extended 2m4f at Plumpton when last seen in January and the six-year-old appears to be the one to beat based on that evidence. Karate Kid showed plenty of ability in bumpers and should not be underestimated on his hurdling bow, while any market support for point-to-point winner Handmedownastar would have to be noted.
With all of these having questions to answer, a chance can be taken on OUR PAPA SMURF. The five-year-old failed to fire at Plumpton last time, but is a leading contender based on his previous victory at the same venue in January. Dragons And Demons may improve now switched to handicap company, while A Mere Bagatelle and Calshot Spit are others to consider.
RIP WHEELER has won three of his last five starts and a 3lb rise for the latest of those victories at Leicester last month may not be enough to stop him from following up. Good Friday Fairy did not appear to stay an extended 2m7f at Newbury, but is a danger back at this trip. Hold Up La Colmine edges out Mon Champion to be the pick of the remainder.
The combination of a 7lb penalty and quicker ground conditions may have contributed to JUNIOR DES MOTTES' failed hat-trick bid at Catterick and this looks a suitable opportunity for the seven-year-old to get back on the scoresheet. Betgoodwin displayed some ability when filling the runner-up spot over C&D, although he was beaten 31 lengths. Chris Gordon's charge is still feared most, with Amalfi Skyline the pick of the remainder.
Jolie Baie wasn't disgraced on her latest fifth at Huntingdon and a subsequent wind procedure combined with a 2lb drop in the ratings could see her fight out the finish. However, INNISFREE LASS' triumph at Southwell signalled a return to form and she appeals more with Murray Dodd's claim negating a 5lb rise. Sweet Magic can also make her presence felt.
Having won two of his three starts since undergoing wind surgery, FALCO DES PINS seems progressive and could be well placed to deal with a 6lb rise imposed after a cosy triumph at Leicester. He's got experience of this trip and, with Ned Fox claiming 3lb, everything is in place for another bold showing. Sanitiser went up 4lb for his Kempton success and needs a personal best to follow up so Raffles Hermes is suggested as a bigger danger after going close at Wincanton.
NIMBA, who won the second of two starts between the flags, looked a decent prospect when he readily justified favouritism in a bumper at Catterick on his debut for Mickey Bowen and a 7lb penalty looks manageable. Fellow point-to-point winner Rine Yeats is the most intriguing of the newcomers to this discipline, although The Perfect Poet is bred along the right lines and is another to monitor closely in the betting.
CATCH ON ME can make his experience edge tell. The dual bumper winner in France showed a useful level of form there and has been steadily progressing for his new yard. His latest placed effort sets the standard and he should be able to defeat Flat winner Cayman Dancer. That rival has shaped with promise on both of his starts to date over hurdles and is likely capable of better if settling. Point winner Minella Mission left his debut effort when runner up last time and should also be in the mix if matching that.
Dual purpose performer AGGAGIO ran well in this race a couple of years ago and is fancied to gain a first hurdles victory of the season. He's slipped to a workable mark whilst still proving he retains most of his ability in both codes over the last year. The soft ground will suit him better than his main rival A Mere Bagatelle who is well treated on his Irish form and has been generally been in good form for his new yard. Godot was unsuited by the drop in trip over fences last time but will be more at home over this distance back over hurdles. He also looks a threat in the first time blinkers.
MON CHAMPION found the ground too quick last time but prior to that he had been in excellent form for his new stable and may have completed a double but for falling on his penultimate start. The return to this softer surface will suit and he is on a dangerous mark based on his French form. He is a strong selection and can defeat the consistent pair Good Friday Fairy and Rip Wheeler.
JUNIOR DES MOTTES was foiled in his hat trick bid last time but he found the ground too quick that day so can resume his progression on this softer surface. He still looks on a good mark and can defeat the unexposed Betgoodwin who showed a bit more over C&D last time. He may ideally want 3m in time but he will be a threat for a yard which does well here if getting a stiff test. Amalfi Skyline needed the run last time and if proving he retains his ability following a lay off he is also entitled to be thereabouts off this mark.
INNISFREE LASS bounced back to form with a win on her hurdles return and could be tough to beat off just 5lb higher. The form of that win has already been boosted and she has placed off higher marks than this in the past over fences. Jolie Baie met trouble but wasn't beaten far in what looked a strong race for the grade last time. With a clear passage here she can throw down the biggest challenge ahead of consistent but frustrating maiden Sweet Magic who is vulnerable to a stronger stayer.
This could be dominated by a couple of recruits from France. RAFFLES HERMES was successful in this discipline over there and posted his best effort yet for his new yard when runner up last time. He's gone up 5lb for that but the winner follow up so he could be well treated and conditions will suit here. Falco Des Pins showed a willing attitude last time and is feared in his hat trick bid. He remains well treated on his best French hurdle form and could get an easy lead in this line up. The consistent last time out winner Sanitiser can also make his presence felt.
Nimba is likely to prove popular on the back of his debut victory. His point win has worked out well but his bumper form has had plenty of knocks so he may struggle to give plenty of weight to MS DES FOIS. She was well backed for her debut and shaped with plenty of promise despite doing too much too soon in front. If ridden slightly more conservatively here she can progress for a first victory. Newcomers Lightsoutandaway and Rine Yeats are worth following in the betting with the latter a point winner.
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