Feb 28th - Preview for Fontwell

 There’s very little quality racing tomorrow - with the 2 UK meetings only mustering a couple of races of class 3 or above, between them.

Things are slightly better at Naas in Ireland - at least in theory - as there are 3 graded events on the card.

However, of the 5 races of potential interest, a couple have only managed to attract 4 runners - and aren’t suitable for betting.
More than that, whilst two of the other Irish races could be of interest, I’ve looked through them and can’t find an angle into either.

And then there was one…

That one is the National Spirit hurdle at Fontwell.

It’s the big race of the year at the course - and one which I’ve done well in, historically.

However, this years renewal doesn’t look overly competitive - so finding a bet in it could prove tricky.

I’ll preview it this evening - and if I can find something, I’ll issue tomorrow morning, after 10:00.
If I can’t, then I’ll send out a ‘no bets’ email before that time…


Fontwell

3:10

McFabulous is clearly the one to beat in this…
He was a decent novice hurdler last season - but has taken his form to a higher level since facing open company.
He finished third to Thyme Hill and Paisley Park at Newbury in November, just not getting home over 3 miles, having travelled best to the second last.
He was dropped back in trip for his next - and most recent - start, and comfortably beat On the Blind side at Kempton.
I suspect he has been targeted at this race since, with a view to bypassing Cheltenham - and then running over 2m4f at Aintree.
That being the case, he is going to be very hard to beat, under what appear to be his ideal conditions.
That said, on official ratings, he should struggle to bet Brewinupastorm.
He’s rated 4lb inferior to McFabulous - but will received 7lb from him tomorrow.
He disappointed in a couple of chases at the start of this season - but was put back over hurdles on his most recent outing and hacked up at Taunton, under 11st12lb.
In fairness, it wasn’t a particularly strong contest - but it did suggest he was back close to his best - and he too should be well suited by tomorrows trip and ground.
Based on official ratings, Molly Ollies Wishes is the third best horse in the race - at the adjusted weights.
She’s been on a steep upward curve this season and put up a career best effort at Warwick a fortnight ago, when hammering French challenger Pauls Saga.
However, her improvement has coincided with her running on soft ground - and how she will cope with a return to quicker ground, remains to be seen…
The other 3 runners all look to have a bit on their plate, for one reason or another…
Call me Lord just hasn’t found his form this season, and is held by McFabulous on their run at Kempton last month; whilst Cornerstone Lad has been running over fences - and would definitely prefer softer ground than he is likely to get.
Reserve Tank could be of some interest, if it weren’t for the poor form of the Colin Tizzard stable.
He was a dual grade 1 winning novice hurdler a couple of seasons back - comfortably beating Brewinupastorm in the first of those, at Aintree.
He didn’t real make the grade over fences last season, so it’s no surprise to see him returned to hurdles.
His fitness would have to be taken on trust - but the bigger issue is the form of his stable.
It would be hard to support anything they send out at the moment, with much confidence…