John And Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Fontwell · Monday, 8 Dec · 19:25
· 2m 1f 162y
· Class 5
· TURF
WEIGHEDIN
Status
15:25
Off time
7
Runners
Heavy (Soft in places)
Going
🎯 Tipster's 1·2·3
Sporting Life pick
Betting forecast
Market prediction · 7 runners · sorted by price
01 · 🏆 FAV
1.91
10/11
02 · 🥈 2nd
5
4/1
03 · 🥉 3rd
5.50
9/2
04 · —
11
10/1
05 · —
15
14/1
06 · —
21
20/1
07 · —
21
20/1
Sporting Life forecast prices — published the night before the race. Top 3 highlighted as market favourites.
Runners
| Pos | No. | Dr | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Age | Wgt | Best decimal odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | — |
Calshot Spit (G)
Latest success came in a 0-100 C&D handicap in September 2024. Disappointed last season but best not judged too harshly on latest start over C&D in March, making headway when blundering 3 out. Remains to be seen if he can get back on track…
|
M Goldstein | Miss S West | 5 | 76.2 kg |
15
14/1
|
| 2nd | 2 | — |
Bridge (G)
Off the mark with a wide-margin victory in a C&D maiden hurdle in December 2023 but hasn't been seen since finishing runner up over C&D in April the following year. Clearly likes it here but market may prove best guide returning from 19-mo…
|
Freddie Mitchell | G & J Moore | 5 | 76.2 kg |
11
10/1
|
| 6th | 3 | — |
Our Papa Smurf (G)
10f winner on Flat and showed much improved form on third start over hurdles, winning an 8-runner juvenile hurdle at Warwick (16f, soft) this time last year. Off since but has run well fresh and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him take an…
|
Caoilin Quinn | G & J Moore | 4 | 74.4 kg |
21
20/1
|
| 7th | 4 | — |
Master Dunraven (G)
Fairly useful winner over 1¼m on the Flat for Johnny Murtagh. Yet to match that form over hurdles but wasn't given a hard ride on handicap debut at Ffos Las (20f, good) in May. Likely to be capable of better at some stage and is worth noti…
|
C O'Farrell | N P Mulholland | 5 | 71.7 kg |
21
20/1
|
| 3rd | 5 | — |
Storming Nelson (G)
Exeter novice winner last January but offered little in handicaps last season. Ran better than for a while on reappearance/first start following wind surgery when fourth in a 12-runner handicap at Chepstow (2m, soft) last month. Mark conti…
|
Lucy Gardner | Mrs S Gardner | 6 | 71.7 kg |
5
4/1
|
| 4th | 6 | — |
Crossbeau (G)
FAV
Off nearly 17 months prior to getting off the mark in likeable fashion landing a 16-runner handicap hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f, soft) 27 days ago, ridden positively and responding willingly to pressure. Up 6 lb but another bold showing on t…
|
S Bowen | Tim Vaughan | 6 | 71.7 kg |
1.91
10/11
|
| 5th | 7 | — |
Smart Casual (G)
[T]
Still a maiden but has placed multiple times over hurdles/fences. Fell on final start last season and attracted some support when well held on his return (first run since wind surgery) at Ffos Las last month, likely needed the run. Entitle…
|
R P McLernon | A J Honeyball | 7 | 68 kg |
5.50
9/2
|
Betting forecast: Crossbeau (10/11), Storming Nelson (4/1), Smart Casual (9/2), Bridge (10/1), Calshot Spit (14/1), Our Papa Smurf (20/1), Master Dunraven (20/1)
Prize money
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| P1 | 3248.0 GBP |
| P2 | 1494.0 GBP |
| P3 | 747.0 GBP |
| P4 | 374.0 GBP |
| P5 | 186.0 GBP |