February 23 / 14.30 Fontwell

14.30

Soft

Download The Star Sports App Handicap Chase (Certain Justice Challenge Trophy) (Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 5f 135y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Download The Star Sports App Handicap Chase (Certain Justice Challenge Trophy) (Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: PP1P4P

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Won on chase debut at Exeter (2m1f, good) in October and, after being pulled up at Hereford, he was a good fourth at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) in December; also effective on soft; pulled up at Exeter last time but was miles out of the handicap; runs off proper mark today and could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Wellwillya

10st 5lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

Record of 2-7 over fences and he ran a big race in defeat at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month; is also well suited by this track and he should be in the mix again after a short break.

10/1

2nd

10

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

14:10 Exeter

Wellwillya

10st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Helen Nelmes

2-6 over fences and was running well when last seen 12 months ago; trip/ground fine and on a competitive mark, while has won after a break in the past.

13/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: P8-323 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
9yo maiden who was beaten 19l when third over C&D (heavy) last time; however, it wasn't a bad run and before that he was a good second over C&D (soft); possible player in first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Leading Swoop

11st 10lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Course regular who kept on well to win by over 5l over C&D (good) in March and won't mind if the ground is much slower today; absent since well-held third behind Ballintara at Plumpton in April, though, and needs to be in peak form to overcome current mark; cheekpieces replace blinkers.

8/1

3rd

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:40 Plumpton

Leading Swoop

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

raced in second, niggled along briefly 12th, not fluent 14th

5/6

3rd

1

3rd Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:40 Plumpton

Leading Swoop

12st 0lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

raced in second, niggled along briefly 12th, not fluent 14th, lost position 3 out, left in remote third 2 out, hung left approaching last, weakened run-in

5/6

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: -76P62

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Well beaten more often than not and 5lb out of the handicap today; however, he ran one of his better races when a 14l second over C&D (heavy) last month and he should have a part to play if repeating that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Elpologreg

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Three places before stopping quickly and pulling up at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy; handles that ground) last time and his jumping wasn't the best; not overly appealing from 5lb out of the weights.

10/1

Form: -36324 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
His form is up and down and he's posted just one win from his last 19 starts; however, that came here (2m3f, heavy) last February and he was a good second at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month; in the mix if bouncing back from below-par latest performance at Exeter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Valirann Gold

10st 13lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Harriet Brown

Course winner; a lot of his form is over shorter but he proved his stamina for 3m when runner-up at Ffos Las two weeks ago (good); unlikely to be far away off the same mark.

5/1

2nd

10

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Valirann Gold

10st 5lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Harriet Brown

Produced a remarkable late surge to snatch what had looked an unlikely victory at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft; blinkers removed) last month but this inconsistent 9yo tends to race lazily nowadays and got going too late when back at Fontwell a fortnight ago; other are much less risky.

12/1

Form: 2P/65U

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Returned from huge absence in October and shaped with promise in sixth here (3m2f, soft); this 10yo failed to build on that when fifth over C&D subsequently and he unseated early at Hereford 11 days ago, but he's not ruled out in view of his October performance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

28th Mar 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:40 Fontwell

No Drama

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

held up in rear

14/1

5th

9

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

No Drama

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Returned from huge absence in October and shaped with promise in sixth here (3m2f, soft); this 10yo failed to build on that when fifth over C&D subsequently and he unseated early at Hereford 11 days ago, but he's not ruled out in view of his October performance here.

11/1

10

12th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

14:18 Hereford

No Drama

10st 2lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

in rear, mistake and unseated 2nd

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 477-44

Last run: 94 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Soundly beaten in the autumn on his two chase starts but didn't run badly when fourth of six at Wincanton last time in a race that has worked out well; this lightly raced 7yo is on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form and today's race may not take much winning; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

10th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Plumpton

Celtic Ned

11st 9lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Yet to fire over fences but his best hurdle efforts would make him of interest off his reduced mark; better ground could help, as could blinkers, and he's one to watch in the market.

4/1

6th

2

23rd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Celtic Ned

11st 10lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Soundly beaten in the autumn on his two chase starts but didn't run badly when fourth of six at Wincanton last time in a race that has worked out well; this lightly raced 7yo is on a handy mark on last season's best hurdle form and today's race may not take much winning; interesting.

5/1

4th

1

21st Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 5

13:15 Wincanton

Celtic Ned

12st 0lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

raced in fourth, lost position but in touch with leaders from 5th, headway 13th, went third 4 out, weakened before 2 out

9/2

Form: 46-529

Last run: 31 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced point and maiden hurdle winner whose mark continues to tumble but he's been well beaten this winter on his first three chase starts and a transformation is needed in first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Five-time hurdle winner but 0-6 over fences; hasn't had much go his way since scoring in October but he was still in contention when unseating three out over fences last time in a race won by Dunkerque; now 10lb better off with that rival and he should be competitive given a change in fortune; forecast rain is a concern though.

11/8

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Doc McCoy

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-13 over hurdles and he's rated 10lb lower as a chaser (0-5); however, hasn't offered a lot in this discipline and it's over a year since he last went chasing.

8/1

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-12 over hurdles and won easily at Warwick (2m5f, good) before pulling up at Ascot in October; he does have a bit to prove off this mark even if returning in good order.

13/2

Form: 6685/P D

Last run: 95 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Point winner who is well handicapped on her hurdle form up to April 2022; a market check is advised on her second start back from a long absence but she's been well beaten on all four chase starts; something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Rock On Rita

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Turned things around when winning a small-field chase at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) in March but back in modest mode at Bangor; has become a hard mare to predict.

5/1

Form: 333/P4

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Not disgraced when 25l fourth of eight over C&D last month behind easy winner on second start back from a long absence, but he's 6lb out of the handicap today and his claims aren't compelling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

9th Sep 2025

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

14:58 Newton Abbot

Master Mikey Dee

10st 2lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Richenda Ford

Well over three years since his only win; out of form and out of the weights; little significance in the return of cheekpieces.

14/1

4th

10

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:23 Fontwell

Master Mikey Dee

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Plugged on for fairly respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) last month but it's over three years since his only win and he's a good way out of the handicap again here.

25/1

4th

10

25th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

14:23 Fontwell

Master Mikey Dee

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Richenda Ford

Plugged on for fairly respectable fourth at Newton Abbot (2m5f, heavy) last month but it's over three years since his only win and he's a good way out of the handicap again here.

25/1

Form: 43/P-P

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Good third over hurdles at Plumpton in April 2023 but pulled up on chase debut that December and, after missing all of last year, there was the same outcome at Lingfield last month; made mistakes each time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:17 Fontwell

Tommy Dillion

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Richard Rowe

Put in pretty good front-running shift when third over C&D (good to soft) 12 days ago but he's a lot more exposed than some of these, and his two hurdling wins were gained on heavy ground.

7/1

3rd

8

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

17:05 Fontwell

Tommy Dillion

10st 3lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Tailed off last time but had appreciated the return to hurdles with a second here (beaten 16l) before a 3l success at Lingfield (2m, heavy); he's able on good to soft ground if he can shrug aside that poor last run.

7/1

4th

6

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Tommy Dillion

10st 10lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Badly out of form over fences last season but made all in a five-runner hurdle race at Lingfield (2m, heavy) this month, after a layoff, and remains on a good mark after 3lb rise; unexposed over this sort of trip; big player if able to build on that recent performance.

13/2

Non-runners

Sir Rock

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £42.90
Straight Forecast £35.28
Tricast £139.83
Trifecta £153.80

Selections

Telegraph:

Elpologreg

The Times:

Celtic Ned

LAMBOURN:

Doc McCoy

SPOTLIGHT:

Wellwillya

RP RATINGS:

Sir Rock

Daily Mirror:

Valirann Gold

POSTDATA:

Leading Swoop

The Star:

Elpologreg

Daily Record:

Elpologreg

The Sun:

Celtic Ned

D Express:

Doc McCoy