It’s Southern National day at Fontwell, with last year’s winner Unanswered Prayers well fancied to retain his crown.
2.05 Fontwell – Last year’s winner Unanswered Prayers returns
Unanswered Prayers bids to go back-to-back in the Betgoodwin Southern National Handicap Chase at Fontwell. The Chris Gordon-trained nine-year-old benefitted from a drop in class to claim this prize last year and, having had a prep run, should be primed off just 1lb higher in the weights.
Shantou Lucky is a live contender for the James Owen team after landing a fourth chasing success at Plumpton earlier this month; a 7lb higher mark may not stop him for a yard that has a 24% strike rate around Fontwell in the last five years. Stablemate Ivane chased home Shantou Lucky in that race and has each-way chances, while the Johnson & Hobbs runner Livin On Luco is also in the mix with Callum Pritchard taking off 5lb.
3.07 Auteuil – Sel Jem headlines Grade 1 field
Sel Jem is the star among 12 for the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil. Trained by Lageneste and Macaire, Sel Jem warmed up with a striking victory in the Grade 3 Prix Heros XII and would be tough to beat under Johnny Charron if repeating that form.
Toscana Du Berlais will hope to reverse recent form, and several have place claims including Emmanuel Clayeux’s Grade 1 runner-up Kolokico, who will be ridden by James Reveley.
1.32 Fontwell – Galactic Charm and Game Colours clash
A competitive-looking Bet Clever Betgoodwin Handicap Hurdle despite only seven runners. Galactic Charm has finished runner-up on his last three starts but brings winning course-and-distance form; the four-year-old must not be dismissed on this seasonal reappearance.
Game Colours has had a wind operation since finishing second at Cheltenham in April and looks to have more to offer over hurdles with Rex Dingle booked. Officer Of State has plenty of placed form, while Love Tree cannot be ruled out for Fiona Shaw and James Best.
Best of the rest
Auteuil’s 11.30am Prix Fondeur opens our cross-channel action, before Leopard Du Berlais headlines the Prix Cambaceres at 1.15pm. The Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois then sees Leader Sport take on Lanivtsi, with World Apart also in the mix under Johnny Charron. The 2.22pm Prix Renaud du Vivier has been won by classy types in the past, and Gainsford is well-fancied this time around.