Sunday 7th September 2014

Two nice winners winners for us yesterday, Fort Bastion ran a great race rewarding EW support at 25-1 whilst the Stoute horse highlighted won with any amount in hand at Thirsk.

We’re off to sunny Fontwell today with Gran Maestro who runs in the 3:10, the race is a novice hurdle over two miles two furlongs, Sam Twiston Davies rides.

Our horse came out of his 2^nd placed effort at Bangor in good form, he’s been kept ticking over this week and trainer Dr Newland is happy with him.

The performance at Bangor was a good effort, Gran Maestro couldn’t be faulted in any way, jumped, travelled and battled from three out, touch wood he’s getting the hang of hurdling.

However he needs to prove he can put two good efforts in back to back after just 9 days break whilst the extra distance is also a question mark, Fontwell is a stiff course with an uphill climb from the home turn.

If Gran Maestro repeats his Bangor effort and stays the trip we hope for another nice effort.

The two horses that will take the beating and will be 1^st & 2^nd favourites are Conducting & Mondlicht

Conducting looks useful for trainer David Bridgwater, this 6 time flat winner has taken well to jumping winning nicely on debut then finishing three lengths 2^nd behind a Group flat horse trained by John Ferguson, it was 7 lengths back to 3^rd place.

Mondlicht ran twice on the flat for Mark Johnston winning both times over a mile, the horse went off the 4-7 odds on jolly on his hurdle debut but despite travelling like a good thing he weakened from two out.

It’s interesting that trainer John Ferguson is happy taking on Conducting again, he has a form line with the horse and will know what’s required, it seems more would be expected of Mondlicht this afternoon.

It’s a tight Novice Hurdle, if Gran Maestro can be in the first three and back up his latest good sound effort we’ll be more than happy with that.

15 owners are making the journey so I’m sure it will be another good day out.