4:05 Fontwell
This Class 4 handicap hurdle over 2m3f29y at Fontwell features a compact field of five where the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched between 50 and 60. The principals are headed by Start Again on 60, with Ask A Sainte and So Proud close behind on 56 and 55 respectively, while the remaining pair sit on 54 and 50. All runners arrive unproven on the prevailing ground and the small field, combined with no obvious front-runner, points to a race that will be decided by tactical positioning and stamina rather than blistering early speed.
How the race shapes up
With the pace shape indicating a lack of a natural leader and medium confidence in that read, the race is set to be a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy should pay dividends. So Proud is the only prominent runner and could therefore find himself dictating a sensible gallop from the front, while the other four are all held-up types who will look to produce their efforts from off the pace. The key question is whether the extra distance will suit those stepping up in trip and whether the prominent horse can maintain his advantage in a race that may not be truly run.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Start Again KTB Selection60/100
Start Again is a smart performer who showed useful form when winning at Worcester last summer before two lacklustre efforts this spring. He steps up in trip today having looked stretched at 2m1½f on his penultimate start and remains unproven on this ground. The 6-year-old is held up, usually producing his effort late, which should be well suited to the steadily-run affair that is anticipated. Fergal O'Brien has a 15% strike rate at Fontwell from 75 runs with an A/E of 0.71, while Kielan Woods brings a 12% strike rate at the track from 117 rides with an A/E of 0.84. The trainer and jockey combination has an overall record of 25/94 (27%) with an A/E of 1.29 and +£53.75 LSP.
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2Ask A Sainte56/100
Ask A Sainte is a smart performer who has shown strong form this season with a win and a second from his last four starts. He steps up in trip today having already placed over this distance once, though the longer 2m3f asks a fresh question. Like the selection he is held up and produces his effort late, fitting the tactical nature of a race that lacks an obvious leader. Olly Murphy has a 20% strike rate at Fontwell from 114 runs with an A/E of 0.78, and Sean Bowen has a 19% strike rate at the venue from 151 rides with an A/E of 0.91. The trainer-jockey partnership records 342/1383 (25%) with an A/E of 0.97 and -£89.65 LSP.
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3So Proud55/100
So Proud is a useful performer on the back of just four runs and looks to have more to offer as he steps up in trip. His recent form of 15-43 shows solid placed efforts behind some decent types and the yard's 23% strike rate at Fontwell adds confidence. The 5-year-old is prominent, usually racing handily on or close to the lead, which could be an advantage in a steadily-run race without a dedicated front-runner. Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill have a 23% strike rate at Fontwell from 31 runs with an A/E of 1.23, while Jonjo O'Neill Jr has a 25% strike rate from 57 rides with an A/E of 1.00. The overall trainer-jockey record stands at 91/619 (15%) with an A/E of 0.85 and -£131.03 LSP.
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4No More Bolero54/100
No More Bolero is a smart performer who arrives in excellent form having won three of his last four starts. He has been below par both previous runs at Fontwell though and is stepping up in trip for the first time today which asks a fresh question, while also moving up in class. The 7-year-old is held up with high confidence in that assessment and has course form of 4th and 6th with no win or place. James Owen has a 22% strike rate at Fontwell from 41 runs with an A/E of 0.75, and Harry Cobden has a 23% strike rate from 177 rides with an A/E of 0.84; the partnership is 20/67 (30%) with an A/E of 1.19 and +£1.70 LSP.
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5Motazzen50/100
Motazzen is a useful performer who has won three times from eight runs at Fontwell and drops back to a trip where he has already scored once. Recent form has been patchy with an 843 sequence showing he can mix it at this level but lacks consistency. The 8-year-old is held up with high confidence in that read. Henrietta C Knight has a 14% strike rate at the track from 219 runs with an A/E of 0.95, and Brendan Powell has a 12% strike rate from 397 rides with an A/E of 0.84; the trainer-jockey record is 6/125 (5%) with an A/E of 0.46 and -£93.62 LSP.
KTB verdict
Start Again is the KTB Selection. A smart performer who showed useful form when winning at Worcester last summer, he steps up in trip having looked stretched over shorter and remains unproven on the ground, yet the steadily-run race and his late kick could play to his strengths. Fergal O'Brien and Kielan Woods bring a positive trainer-jockey record to the table. The main dangers are Ask A Sainte, who brings strong recent form and has already placed over the distance, and So Proud, whose prominent style may prove ideal in a tactical affair while the yard has an excellent strike rate at Fontwell.
KTB Selection Start Again
This is the narrative read of the 4:05 Fontwell. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Fontwell racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Fontwell results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is the only prominent runner in the field?
So Proud is the only prominent runner, usually racing handily on or close to the lead.
How many previous wins has Motazzen recorded at Fontwell?
Motazzen has won three times from eight runs at Fontwell.
What is the trainer strike rate at Fontwell for the yard of the KTB Selection?
Fergal O'Brien has a 15% strike rate at Fontwell from 75 runs.
Which horse is stepping up in class as well as in trip?
No More Bolero is stepping up in class.
What recent form has So Proud shown ahead of this step up in distance?
So Proud has recent form figures of 15-43 showing solid placed efforts behind some decent types.
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