Fontwell Park is set to stage a six-race National Hunt programme on Tuesday, September 22, with the action beginning at 2:12pm and continuing until 5:07pm. The card features a combination of handicap hurdles, steeple chases, a juvenile maiden hurdle and a novices’ limited handicap hurdle. Distances range from two miles and two furlongs to more than three miles, providing a variety of tests for horses with different levels of experience.
The afternoon begins at 2:12pm with a Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, a Class 4 contest over two miles, two furlongs and 14 yards. Open to horses aged three and above, the race carries £7,700 in prize money and has a rating range of 0-110.
The field includes a seven-year-old gelding trained by Des Donovan for Mr David Dorans. Rated 107 and carrying 11st 13lbs, the horse arrives with recent form that includes a victory and will also carry a 7lb extra weight according to the supplied details.
Goodwin Face, a six-year-old gelding trained by Chris Gordon, has the highest published BHA Rating in the race at 112 and carries 11st 11lbs. His recent form contains a pair of victories, making him one of the more experienced runners in the field.
Tilehurst, trained by Neil Mulholland and ridden by Bradley Harris, is a five-year-old gelding rated 110 and carrying 11st 9lbs. His recent record includes two wins. Seven-year-old Sun Joy, trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Callum Pritchard, has a BHA Rating of 105 and carries 11st 4lbs. The field is completed by four-year-old Arbitration, trained by Joe Tizzard, who is also rated 105 and carries 11st 2lbs.
The second race is scheduled for 2:47pm, the City Electrical Factors Handicap Steeple Chase, a Class 4 contest over two miles, three furlongs and 104 yards. The race is part of the Fontwell Chase Series and carries £8,900 in prize money for horses aged four and above, with a rating range of 0-120.
The highest-rated runner is a gelding trained by Gary and Josh Moore for The Plumpton Party. Rated 120 and carrying 11st 10lbs, he has a recent record that includes several strong finishing efforts and a victory.
Jet Smart, an eight-year-old gelding trained by Dean Summersby, is rated 114 and carries 11st 4lbs. His recent form includes a sequence of placed performances. Lermoos Legend, trained by Mickey Bowen, is an 11-year-old gelding rated 113 and carrying 11st 3lbs. He has previous course-and-distance form and brings considerable experience to the contest.
The field also includes eight-year-old American Land, trained by Joe Tizzard. Rated 112 and carrying 11st 2lbs, he has previously produced winning form over fences. The race therefore brings together four experienced steeplechasers, with jumping consistency and the extended two-mile-three-furlong distance likely to be important factors.
At 3:22pm, Fontwell hosts the Sites Juvenile Maiden Hurdle Race, a Class 4 contest over two miles, two furlongs and 14 yards. The race is restricted to three-year-olds and carries £10,000 in prize money. As a juvenile maiden event, it provides an opportunity for younger horses to gain experience over hurdles and compete over a distance that requires both pace and stamina.
The programme continues at 3:57pm with the Setford Handicap Hurdle, a Class 4 race over two miles, six furlongs and 16 yards. Open to horses aged four and above, the contest is worth £7,700 and has a rating range of 0-110. Seven runners are listed in the supplied field.
A gelding trained by Joe Tizzard for Brocade Racing is the highest-rated runner, with a BHA Rating of 112. He carries 12st 2lbs and brings previous experience over hurdles to the contest.
Bright Legend, trained by Faye Bramley and ridden by J. P. O’Neill, is a six-year-old gelding rated 108 and carrying 11st 12lbs. Motazzen, trained by Henrietta C. Knight and ridden by Brendan Powell, is an eight-year-old gelding rated 106 and carries 11st 10lbs. He has previously recorded a course-and-distance success.
Five-year-old Starshine Legend, trained by Olly Murphy and ridden by Sean Bowen, is rated 105 and carries 11st 9lbs. His recent record includes a victory. Prairie Diamond, trained by Martin Keighley, has a BHA Rating of 103 and carries 11st 7lbs.
The lower-weighted runners include Atreides, an eight-year-old gelding trained by Neil Mulholland, who is rated 94 and carries 10st 12lbs. Getaway With You, trained by David Killahena and Graeme McPherson, also has a BHA Rating of 94 and carries 10st 12lbs. The extended distance will provide a significant stamina test for all seven runners.
At 4:32pm, the card moves to a Class 4 Handicap Steeple Chase over three miles, one furlong and 210 yards. The race is open to horses aged four and above and carries £8,900 in prize money, with a rating range of 0-110. The longer distance makes this one of the afternoon’s major stamina tests, with jumping accuracy and the ability to maintain a consistent rhythm over more than three miles expected to be important.
The final contest is scheduled for 5:07pm, the Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle, a Class 5 event over two miles, two furlongs and 14 yards. Open to horses aged three and above, the race carries £6,150 and has a rating range of 0-95. Ten runners are listed in the supplied field.
The highest-rated runner is a mare trained by Martin Keighley for Ms G. E. Morgan. Rated 91 and carrying 11st 12lbs, she has recorded a mixture of recent finishing efforts. Lady Fortune, trained by Barry Brennan and ridden by Isabelle Ryder, is a six-year-old mare rated 83 and carrying 11st 4lbs.
Guinness Lad, trained by Neil Mulholland and ridden by James Bowen, is a six-year-old gelding rated 78 and carries 10st 13lbs. Hawa Jumeirah, trained by Helen Nelmes, has a BHA Rating of 77 and carries 10st 12lbs, while four-year-old Winston’s Oath, trained by James Owen, is rated 78 and carries 10st 11lbs.
Six-year-old Major Major, trained by Cynthia Woods, has a BHA Rating of 75 and carries 10st 10lbs. No Mean Feat, trained by Simon Hodgson, is rated 73 and carries 10st 8lbs. Lucky In Taipan, trained by Ben Pauling, has a BHA Rating of 72 and carries 10st 7lbs.
Four-year-old Callero, trained by Gary and Josh Moore, is rated 74 and also carries 10st 7lbs. The field is completed by Bacardi Blue, trained by Dean Summersby, who has a BHA Rating of 68 and carries 10st 5lbs.
Overall, Fontwell Park’s September 22 programme provides six races across hurdles and fences, with distances ranging from just over two miles to more than three miles. The card features established steeplechasers, developing hurdlers and juvenile runners, creating a varied afternoon of National Hunt racing.
The 2:47pm Class 4 steeple chase brings together several experienced performers over two miles and three furlongs, while the 3:57pm handicap hurdle extends the challenge to almost three miles. The 4:32pm steeple chase provides the longest-distance test of the afternoon, and the closing novices’ hurdle offers another opportunity for developing runners.
With a mixture of race classifications, distances, weights and ratings, Fontwell Park’s Tuesday meeting will place different demands on the horses throughout the afternoon. The programme is scheduled to conclude at 5:07pm after six contests on the Fontwell Park track.
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