4:39 Fontwell
This Class 5 handicap hurdle at Fontwell over 2m1f162y features a field of nine where the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by Cawthorne Banker on 65 and Chief Sunday on 63. The race is run on ground that remains unproven for every contender, adding a layer of uncertainty to a steadily-run, tactical affair. Overall the numbers point to a race that could fall to one of the more experienced course operators rather than those stepping up in trip for the first time.
How the race shapes up
With no obvious leader in a pace shape that lacks any prominent runner, the race is set to be steadily-run and tactical. Most of the field, including all four principals, are held-up types who produce their effort late, meaning being handy and timing a run from off the pace will be key. The main question is whether the race will develop enough pace for the closers to land their challenges or whether one of the more patiently ridden runners can pick up the pieces in the straight.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Cawthorne Banker KTB Selection65/100
Cawthorne Banker is a useful performer who has won two of his three starts at Fontwell and steps back up to a trip he has already won over twice from three attempts. He arrives in decent form having won twice and placed once from his last six runs, though he is unproven on the current ground. The yard and jockey both hold solid 25% strike rates at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited by the steadily-run nature of the race. His official rating is 92 and recent form reads 521106.
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2Chief Sunday63/100
Chief Sunday is a useful performer who has been out of form for some time with a string of poor efforts including a pulled-up effort last season. He steps up in trip today having not shown much at 2m and remains unproven on this ground. The trainer has only a small sample at Fontwell with a 67% strike rate from three runs while the jockey has a solid 22% strike rate here from plenty of rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he drops in class to 91 on official ratings with form figures of 56P9-7.
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3Diamond Days57/100
Diamond Days is a fair performer who has shown some promise around here, finishing third on one of three visits to Fontwell. He drops back in trip today having been placed at this distance without winning, though he is unproven on the current ground. The trainer holds a solid 19% strike rate at the track while jockey Freddie Gingell boasts a strong 35% record from his 34 rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, his official rating is 85 with recent form of 3455P-.
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4Lord of The Glance52/100
Lord of The Glance is a useful performer with solid recent form including a win and two placed efforts from his last four starts. He steps up in trip today for the first time which asks a fresh question of him while the ground remains unproven. Trainer Alex Hales has a 10% strike rate from 78 runs at Fontwell and jockey Bryan Carver sits on a 17% strike rate from 77 rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he carries an official rating of 90 with form figures of 1U-232.
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5Uncle Remus51/100
Uncle Remus is a fair performer on the balance of his ratings and recent efforts, showing his best when winning a similar race at Worcester last time. He has already run once at Fontwell, finishing fifth without threatening, while the yard holds a solid 15% strike rate here from a large sample. The step up in trip today is an unknown and the horse remains unproven on this ground.
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6Brave Jen49/100
Brave Jen is a useful mare who has shown enough in stronger company to rate a fair player at this level on her best days. She ran respectably when fifth over course and distance on her latest start but has been off since and now drops back in trip as a fresh question. Trainer and jockey both have a 0% strike rate at Fontwell from decent-sized samples.
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7Castle Quarter47/100
Castle Quarter is a fair performer with a solid overall profile backed by ratings and recent placed efforts, including a second last time out. He has limited experience here with a fourth on his only visit to Fontwell and steps up in trip today having never won over this distance. The yard has a respectable 16% strike rate at the track while the jockey sits at 11%.
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8Western Soldier46/100
Western Soldier is a fair performer on his best days but has been out of form this year with a string of modest efforts. He steps up in trip for the first time today which asks a fresh question of him while the ground remains an unknown. The jockey has a solid 15% strike rate at Fontwell but this is the yard's first runner at the track.
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9For Old Times Sake46/100
For Old Times Sake is a fair performer who has shown little in five starts since a promising bumper debut. Stepping up in trip for the first time today asks a fresh question while his sole course run produced a modest seventh. Trainer Neil Mulholland holds a solid 16% strike rate here from 639 runs and Harry Cobden rides at a 22% strike rate from 178 rides at Fontwell.
KTB verdict
Cawthorne Banker stands out as the KTB Selection. He has already won twice at Fontwell, including at this trip, and arrives in decent nick with two wins and a placing from his last six starts. The combination of course form, a steadily-run race that should suit his held-up style and the strong 25% strike rates for both trainer and jockey at the track make him hard to oppose. Chief Sunday and Diamond Days are the most obvious dangers if they can bounce back to form, while Lord of The Glance brings solid recent efforts but has more to prove stepping up in trip.
KTB Selection Cawthorne Banker
This is the narrative read of the 4:39 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. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Fontwell racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest course record at Fontwell?
Cawthorne Banker, who has won two of his three starts here.
How many of the field are stepping up in trip for the first time?
Four: Chief Sunday, Lord of The Glance, Uncle Remus and For Old Times Sake.
Which jockey has the highest strike rate at Fontwell among those riding in this race?
Freddie Gingell with a 35% strike rate from 34 rides.
Who is the only horse in the field to have won at Worcester recently?
Uncle Remus, who won a similar race there last time.
Which trainer has the biggest sample of runners at Fontwell in this contest?
Neil Mulholland, with 639 runs and a 16% strike rate.
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