I quite liked a couple at big odds on the Fontwell card this afternoon, but my only bet there is Full Trottle, who looks overpriced in the 2m4f handicap chase (2.00pm).
A really useful pointer throughout his career, he has also won on the hunter chase evening at Cheltenham in 2017 and finished runner-up there in 2018 (to the useful Mr Mercurial). He won on his next outing, a hunter chase in February 2019, but was then off until reappearing under rules for Jennifer Mason (but same ownership – so presumably due to the pointing season being shut down) in November. He was well held on in a class 3 at Wincanton that month, but I thought there was a lot to like about the way he travelled through the race at Doncaster last time, in what was a competitive handicap chase.
Though he was ultimately beaten 39L, he ran better than that would suggest and the handicapper has taken a chance by dropping him another 7lbs. He goes well fresh, so the three-month break is a positive, while the return to spring ground is also a plus. This is far from a strong race for the grade and if he is going to win another race, it is probably this one. The yard had a big-priced winner at Exeter yesterday, with this rider on board, and hopefully Full Trottle can give them further success today.
2.00 Fontwell Park – 1pt each-way Full Trottle @ 14-1 (Coral, PaddyPower, Betfair, Bet365, Skybet, Boylesports)
There are several low-grade handicaps at Kempton Park to test punters this evening, but Study The Stars makes plenty of appeal at a decent price.
The Sylvester Kirk-trained son of Due Diligence showed a bit last year, twice finishing fourth in nurseries, and returned from eight weeks off at Lingfield Park in January, where he looked unlucky not to finish closer, having been denied a run from the home bend until near the line.
He travelled well through the race at Wolverhampton a fortnight later, but was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice that day and though he does look the type for stronger handling, I’m also not convinced he gets a mile and a quarter. The drop back to a mile here is a positive and I’m confident there are races in him off this mark.
Though there are a few handicap debutants in the field, I don’t think this is a particularly strong race and at the prices, Study The Stars looks a bet.
6.15pm Kempton Park – 1pt each-way Study The Stars @ 12-1 (Skybet (5 places) WillHill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Boylesports (all 4 places)