26/02/17 Straight From The Trainers Mouth

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Nicky Henderson

2.00 Fontwell Kilcrea Vale 6/4

He was also entered at Kempton, and perhaps we should have gone there, but we’re here instead so let’s hope it’s the right decision. It’s a small but select field and a tidy little race but he’ll like the track and deserves to be there.

★★★★☆

3.00 Fontwell Lami Serge 9/2

Many people were quick to crab L’AMI SERGE after the Stan James Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock but we did find some traces of blood after the race which goes some way to explaining why some believe he didn’t go through with his effort. He has lots of twos and threes next to his name so there is always going to be question marks with him but I won’t have it and we’ll see how he gets on here. We can always revert to chasing if needs be anyway.

★★★☆☆

3.00 Fontwell Different Gravey 9/4

DIFFERENT GRAVEY was entered in the Pendil (over fences) but as we all know he didn’t jump a twig at Cheltenham so he’s going back over hurdles in the hope it will boost his confidence. 2m4f with cut in the ground should be perfect for him and it’s a very valuable prize too. He’s in great form and we are going to give him a run here before probably going back over fences. We’ll leave Cheltenham out of it this year and decide whether to stay over hurdles or go back chasing at Aintree. It all depends on the outcome of this.

★★★★☆

3.30 Fontwell Silent Steps 14/1

She’s quite a nice mare but has been struggling a bit to be fair although I have no doubt she will be a smart animal in Handicaps

★★★☆☆

Dan Skelton

3.00 Fontwell Shelford 12/1

Shelford had a great time winning bundles of money in France last year, but he has a penalty because of that which doesn’t make life easy. I think over two and a half miles around this track with a pair of blinkers on he can run really well. We have numbers to find with a few but I think he can go nicely.

★★★☆☆

3.10 Southwell Shantou Rock 8/11

Shantou Rock has to go well. He bolted in last time in a novice hurdle and he has got to close in this

★★★★★

4.10 Southwell Sam Red 7/2

Sam Red just got touched off last time by a really good horse. He has top weight and he stays nicely so he’s not without a chance.

★★★★☆

4.40 Southwell Classico Dais 4/1

Classico Dais is coming back a few furlongs in trip. If you watched his race last time he was running really well at this type of trip so hopefully this drop in trip will be ideal. He has an each way chance of sorts.

★★★☆☆

5.10 Southwell One For Billy 10/1

One For Billy just ran a bit below expectations at Aintree in the Autumn but he’s a real nice chaser in the making. That said that he should still run tidily.

★★☆☆☆

Tom Scudamore

3.00 Fontwell Le Rocher 10/1

He has a bit to find on ratings, but I see no reason why he can’t run well. The more rain the better and he’s a very talented horse who could spring a surprise.

★★★☆☆

5.00 Fontwell Golden Sunrise 5/1

I don’t know anything about Golden Sunrise, my ride in the last at 5.00. It’s one of Colin Tizzard’s, so it will be fit and will be ready for it.

★★★☆☆

Malcom Jefferson

5.10 Southwell Fernan 12/1

He weakened out of things at Ayr but he came back very sore and took a while to come right. He may need the run tomorrow but he will appreciate the better ground and should not mind the course as he travels well. Its competitive on paper but we like him and we think he will run well.

★★★★☆