It’s Southern National day at Fontwell and last year’s winner Unanswered Prayers heads the market as he looks to defend his crown.
2.05 Fontwell – Unanswered Prayers returns
Unanswered Prayers, a nine-year-old trained by Chris Gordon, bids to become the first back-to-back winner of the Betgoodwin Southern National Handicap Chase. He benefited from a drop in class to land this race 12 months ago and has had a prep run this season, leaving him in good shape off just 1lb higher in the weights.
Shantou Lucky, representing James Owen, is a live threat after scoring a fourth chasing success at Plumpton earlier this month. Although 7lb higher for that win, he runs for a yard that boasts a 24% strike rate at Fontwell over the past five years. Stablemate Ivane, who chased Shantou Lucky home at Plumpton, offers solid each-way appeal, while the Johnson & Hobbs runner Livin On Luco also merits consideration with Callum Pritchard taking off 5lb.
3.07 Auteuil – Sel Jem heads Grade 1 line-up
Across the Channel, Sel Jem is the standout among a dozen runners in the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil. Prepared by the Lageneste and Macaire operation, he arrives on the back of an authoritative success in the Grade 3 Prix Héros XII and would be hard to oppose if reproducing that performance under Johnny Charron.
Toscana Du Berlais will be aimed at turning recent form around, while a number of others can claim a place. Emmanuel Clayeux’s Grade 1 runner-up Kolokico is among them and will be partnered by the experienced James Reveley.
1.32 Fontwell – Galactic Charm vs Game Colours
The Bet Clever Betgoodwin Handicap Hurdle looks competitive despite a small field of seven. Galactic Charm arrives having finished runner-up in his last three starts and possesses winning course-and-distance form; the four-year-old should not be underestimated on his seasonal reappearance.
Game Colours has undergone a wind operation since finishing second at Cheltenham in April and is expected to show improvement over hurdles with Rex Dingle booked to ride. Officer Of State brings a string of placed efforts to the race, while Love Tree is also in the mix for Fiona Shaw and jockey James Best.
Best of the rest
Auteuil’s action opens with the 11.30am Prix Fondeur, before Leopard Du Berlais headlines the Prix Cambacérès at 1.15pm. The Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois features Leader Sport against Lanivtsi, with World Apart also prominent under Johnny Charron. The 2.22pm Prix Renaud du Vivier has often produced classy winners and Gainsford is fancied to go well this time.