Gustavian 'going well at home' as Honeyball bids to continue red-hot form

3.10 Fontwell
Read Davy Russell's Exclusive Blog At starsports.co.uk Handicap Hurdle | 2m3f | 3yo+ | Sky

Given only two of the 11 declared runners in this race are rated over 120, it is a notably competitive handicap. You would imagine a handful more might break through that sort of ratings barrier as the winter wears on.

With Saturday's Ascot winner College Oak a non-runner on Friday morning, four runners make their handicap debut over hurdles, which technically includes Ridgeway Flyer, an experienced chaser who has won off 7lb higher over fences.

It remains the case at this point of the season that fitness has to be taken on trust for many. That goes for some of the handicap debutants, but you would be confident on Gustavian's readiness given the red-hot form of the Anthony Honeyball yard.

Worth noting where he is concerned is that all of his form is in the mud. While Fontwell's hurdles track gets as heavy as anywhere in winter, it was reported as good to soft on Thursday with very little chance of rain, so early autumn conditions are expected to prevail.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Jack Barber, trainer of Ridgeway Flyer
He's been with me for a while but has had two years off with issues so it will be interesting to see how he runs. He's fit and well but this is a fact finding mission.

Seamus Mullins, trainer of Mahler's Promise
Hopefully he's come on for his comeback run at Warwick where he faded late on. It looks a competitive race but he's in good shape.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Gustavian
He's been a bit keen so hopefully the track will suit him as will the good to soft ground. He still has a lot to learn but has been going well at home.

Gary Moore: runs Espion De Saflo and QuloobCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gary Moore, trainer of Espion De Saflo and Quloob
Espion De Saflo has been doing my head in, I can't get him to run any sort of race. He'd be one to watch and just see if he finishes off any better than he did the other day. Quloob is probably not the best handicapped horse in the race but he should run a solid race and the drying ground will help.

Mark Bradstock, trainer of Jaisalmer
It's the first time Harry Cobden has ridden for us and hopefully he gets on well with him. He's a previous course winner and we're hopeful of a good run.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com