One of our SmartPlays come from Fontwell
Cheltenham is the focus on Sunday, but there's also a sojourn in Fontwell among today's SmartPlays.
It's at Cheltenham we begin, with the usually ultra-competitive intermediate handicap hurdle at 13:45. This race has twice produced the season's World Hurdle runner-up in recent campaigns and, although it would be something of a surprise were Ruben Cotter to scale similar heights, it's not difficult to envisage him being a smart performer by season's end. He certainly created a fine impression when winning a handicap at Exeter back in May on his latest start. That race was strong form for the time of year, with the hitherto progressive Water Garden in second and two next-time-out winners immediately behind him. Ruben Cotter's pedigree is all about stamina, but he travelled so well at Exeter that a stiff 21 furlongs (almost assured going by conditions at Cheltenham so far this week) should pose him few problems. It's an added bonus that his stable is having such a good week, suggesting he'll be all-but primed for this.
The Southern National (14:05) is one of Fontwell's biggest races of the season and this year has attracted a useful field to cover the three-and-a-half-mile course. Useful they may be, but few are progressive, something which helps the cause of our selection, Quentin Collonges. He was a progressive second-season novice last season, beating the Cockney Mackem at Cheltenham and runner-up to Problema Tic at Kempton before flopping in the Scottish National on his final start. He reportedly had a breathing problem at Ayr, which raises some concern, but then again it's unlikely that Quentin Collonges would be pitched back into this sort of race unless trainer Henry Daly was satisfied over both his fitness and well-being. Quentin Collonges' handicap mark remains very a realistic one and he should be thereabouts today.
It's back to Cheltenham for what we hope will be yet another Paul Nicholls-trained winner at the track this weekend in the Hyde Novices' Hurdle at 15:25. Plenty of those entered up look to be heading for a useful level at least, but there has scarcely been a more impressive novice performance this autumn than Fox Run's at Worcester last month, when he destroyed an admittedly modest field in the manner of one heading for the very best races. He's a point winner, so shouldn't have any stamina worries no matter what conditions prevail at Cheltenham today, while he looked professional enough at Worcester to think he'll do himself justice hiked up in grade.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Ruben Cotter @ 6.411/2 in the 13:45 Cheltenham
Back Quentin Collonges @ 7.06/1 in the 14:05 Fontwell
Back Fox Run @ 4.1n/a in the 15:25 Cheltenham
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