3 minute read
There could be a poignant winner of the Clarke Chase if John Mackie’s Barton Knoll is able to get his head in front in the Uttoxeter feature.
The two-and-a-half-mile contest is run for a challenge trophy named in honour of Sir Stanley And Lady Clarke – the parents of Barton Knoll's owner Simon Clarke, whose colours have been carried to big-race success in the past by the popular grey Nacarat.
Now Barton Knoll is not in the same league as the bold front-running Grade One winner, but the 10-year-old does have plenty in his favour ahead of his tilt for glory at the Staffordshire track.
Yet to finish outside of the first three in three outings since scoring at Doncaster in November, Barton Knoll was denied by just a nose at Aintree last time, with himself and the winner pulling well-clear of the field.
He was handed a 4lb rise for that effort, which given the distance back to the third seems fair, and above all else the ground at Uttoxeter remains good.
All five of Barton Knoll's previous victories have been on good ground and it would be no surprise if this race has been a long-term aim with Mackie training less than 10 miles from the course.
Landen Calling appreciated the switch to good ground when striking over course and distance last time and has a fine chance of doubling up for Fergal O'Brien in the Cazoo Novices' Handicap Hurdle if conditions remain dry.
There could be further success for O'Brien when Peerless Beauty runs in the Roy's Ices Mares' Novices' Hurdle. The six-year-old got off the mark with a six-and-a-half-length success at Worcester earlier this month and looks capable of giving weight and a beating to these rivals.
A return to Kelso could rejuvenate the fortunes of Flamboyant Joyaux in the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel Handicap Chase. Although out of sorts this year, the track and trip winner is back down to his last winning mark and a bold showing is anticipated.
Castletown was a ready winner over course and distance earlier this month and is backed to go in again in the Edinburgh Gin Novices' Limited Handicap Chase, while Gordon Elliott's raider Come On Du Berlais can go one better than her Ayr second to get off the mark in the See You In September Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Gary Moore enjoys plenty of success at Fontwell and it would be no surprise to see him on the scoresheet with course regular Black Gerry in the Lymington Town Supported By Nationwide Concreting Handicap Chase. He made all to score here in March and similar tactics could serve the seven-year-old well once again in first-time blinkers.
Moore has the chance to quickly double up with Warranty in the Watch Off The Fence On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle. The Plumpton runner-up can take advantage of the same mark of 109 moving up in trip.
SELECTIONS:
FONTWELL: 1.29 Famous Function, 2.04 Chess Player, 2.39 Morgenstern, 3.14 Black Gerry, 3.49 Warranty, 4.24 Hoot At Midnight, 4.59 Zinat.
KELSO: 2.12 Cirque Royal, 2.47 Flamboyant Joyaux, 3.22 Rich Belief, 3.57 Lissen To The Lady, 4.32 Castletown, 5.07 Smoke Man, 5.40 Come On Du Berlais.
PUNCHESTOWN: 1.55 Beyond Ambitious, 2.30 Free Handshake, 3.05 Swelltime, 3.40 Direct Image, 4.15 Everglow, 4.50 Fire Attack, 5.25 Pink In The Park.
UTTOXETER: 1.46 Hang In There, 2.21 Landen Calling, 2.56 Peerless Beauty, 3.31 BARTON KNOLL (NAP), 4.06 No No Maestro, 4.41 Ashoka, 5.16 Halifax.
DOUBLE: Barton Knoll and Castletown.
