14:00 Fontwell

Tuesday 14 February 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Seaniemac Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 17.9s

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Selected odds by:

Miss Benefitz²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: Mike Hammond| OR: 103

16/1

Switched yards a couple of times recently and may have had excuses for a modest effort at Leicester on her penultimate start. Posted a better effort last time out but was still well beaten; this step up in trip may help, so worth noting in the betting.

Form: PP05P-7

Rafafie²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 100

5/1

Been a while since he has won a race and is still 4lb above his last winning mark; this is his third outing since the turn of the year, so remains to be seen how he will cope with being pressed for effort. Has to be disconcerting that we weakened so rapidly in the closing stages at Haydock last time out.

Form: 244-P75

Brown Bear^p1¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 99

4/1

Won in gritty style over fences at Towcester back in December but was disappointing afterwards; even when reverting to hurdles last time out. This drop in trip is probably in his favour but he lacks a tactical change of gear and may be vulnerable to strong finisher.

Form: 63441-6

Dainty Diva¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Steele| OR: 98

66/1

Ran well in a seller at Leicester last spring but has mainly struggled in handicaps; probably best watched on her first start for a new yard.

Form: P27-PP0

Chivers¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: D Steele| OR: 95

17/2

A dual purpose performer, he is arguably better on the Flat than he is over hurdles. But is back to something like his best since joining his current trainer, so no forlorn hope in this company. Never raced over this trip, though, and therefore needs to prove his stamina will hold out.

Form: 348F/P

Shrubland^p1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 106

18/1

Regally bred by the Niarchos family, it was surprising and disappointing that he was just a low grade handicapper on the Flat. However, he has shaped with promise in this sphere of late and looks well worth a try over this new trip. A leading contender for a race like this - especially if the first-time headgear has the desired effect.

Form: 7346P-0

Bound Hill^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 92

4/1

Didn't appear to be enjoying himself over fences so reverted to hurdling last time out. The switch seemed to spark his interest as he bowled along in the lead in the early stages. However, the way he downed tools when pressed was disappointing; so not difficult to see why the handicapper is cutting him some slack. Others look more resolute.

Form: 6P5411-

Aristocles^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 100

28/1

Started his racing career with Sir Michael Stoute on the Flat but looks a shade of better days since switching codes. Very hard to fancy on his recent performances and is another that has to prove himself over the distance.

Form: -575

Day Of Roses¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 87

10/3

Theoretically very closely matched with Brown Bear after coming out on top in recent encounter with that rival. That was his best effort since switching from point-to-points, so there may be more to come from him now his stamina is being brought into play; solid grounds for him to nick a place in the frame at least.

Form: 77/02P7-

Thepartysover^t²³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 84

12/1

As a previous C&D winner he merits respect. However, he is very much the old man at the party and other are likely to have his measure when the fresher legs get going. Very well handicapped on his old form if he can turn back the clock, though.

Form: 475614-

Forecasts

Day Of Roses (10/3), Bound Hill (4/1), Brown Bear (4/1), Rafafie (5/1), Chivers (17/2), Thepartysover (12/1), Miss Benefitz (16/1), Shrubland (18/1), Aristocles (28/1), Dainty Diva (66/1)

A modest start to the action at Fontwell can go the way of SHRUBLAND, who has hinted that his turn is not too far away by posting a couple of solid efforts of late. He sports cheekpieces for the first time in public, which may well give him the extra push he needs; Brown Bear and Day Of Roses are old rivals that can have a good scrap in the fight to prove who's the best of the rest. Of the others: Miss Benefitz and Chivers make some appeal at the likely odds, for anyone looking to cover a few corners with each-way bets. 1. Shrubland 2. Brown Bear 3. Day Of Roses