Honeyball can boost impressive Fontwell record

Anthony Honeyball boasts an impressive 34% strike rate at the course, and the Dorset based trainer will be aiming to open his account on Thursday with GUSTAVIAN in the 1:30 over 2m1f162y.

This six-year-old has been a punter's nightmare, winning only once despite being second on his other five appearances. However, his last performance at Chepstow provided hope that the allusive second victory of his career is moving ever nearer. On that occasion, he jumped fluently and pushed the 129 rated Exploiteur up to the final obstacle, finishing thirty-one lengths clear of his next rival.

There was no doubt he found the three mile trip (after the additional distance) a stretch, but that still didn’t stop him clocking a respectable time when compared to the exciting Novice hurdler Oscar Elite, who ran on the same card.

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With forecast rain and the likely pacemaker Amelia’s Dance leading at a decent pace, the race may turn into a staying contest, allowing Honeyball’s recruit to show his stamina up the Fontwell straight, as he did when finishing second here on his penultimate start. At 7/2, he looks a respectable price to yet again run his race.

Hollywood Ken may be the one to follow Gustavian home after putting up a valiant challenge to Breffniboy on his penultimate start, who has since gone from strength to strength, winning twice.

1st Gustavian 7/2, 2nd Hollywood Ken 8/1

Honeyball also sends a live chance in the 2:30 in the form of Lily The Pink, who steps back in trip following a respectable fourth at Market Rasen in November. This mare is an efficient jumper and finished a length off the red-hot Robin Gold on her penultimate start - who has subsequently won twice. A tongue-tie is now fitted, which can only be a positive considering Honeyball holds a 33% strike rate with this type of headgear.

The concern, however, is she has been turned over as favourite on three of her last four appearances and tends to finish her races off relatively weakly, and with testing conditions expected, she has risks attached.

CRISTAL SPIRIT has proven course form having triumphed here last month and is set to go well again under a 7lb penalty after leaving Plumpton victorious eleven days ago. He jumped averagely and came off the bridle relatively early, but the manner in which he stayed on was impressive. This is a slight step back in trip and it seems a safer option to opt for this in-form candidate, albeit at a short price.

One to keep an eye on at a large price is Touch Tight for Phillip York, who could go under the radar. This nine-year-old is hugely frustrating to watch as he travels into his races very strongly, but put simply, struggles to clear the obstacles. If there is any improvement on his jumping, and I’d be surprised if there isn’t, then he may be worth a look as an each way option.

1st Cristal Spirit 13/8, 2nd Lily The Pink 7/2, 3rd Touch Tight 25/1+

For the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 3:00 it may be worth chancing with Honeyball yet again, who brings BELLE DE MANECH off the back of an exciting performance at Wincanton.

This mare was highly tried early on in her career, winning a bumper on debut before being upped to Listed company on her second start (Honeyball isn’t one to take bumper runners lightly recording a 32% strike rate in the last five seasons). She finished sixth here amidst esteemed company, including trailing Grade 2 winner Saint Roi and Champion Bumber sixth Ocean Wind by three lengths.

The five-year-old didn’t show all that much after that appearance until last time out when keeping on strongly to deny the well-regarded mare Rose Of Arcadia. A repeat of that performance should without doubt put her firmly in the picture here.

Olly Murphy’s Allavina will be well-backed having made an encouraging debut last time out. If improving from there she’ll be tough to stop, but this test may prove too tricky this early on in her career.

1st Belle De Manech 9/4