Fontwell, Friday 24th April 2026 — Evening Card Preview
A quiet Friday evening at Fontwell, but quiet cards can hide genuine value. Good to soft ground suits a number of horses here, and with only three races on the card, the selections are tight and reasoned. Here is where the money goes tonight.
5:15 — Mercedes-Benz Of Chichester Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2m5½f)
Selection: Lisnamurrican (11/8, William Hill)
This is a straightforward two-horse race between Lisnamurrican and Strong Run, and at the prices, the Nicky Henderson mare represents the better angle. Her RPR of 125 is the highest in the field, and Nico de Boinville taking the ride tells you everything about how the Henderson yard views this assignment. Henderson is returning 8 wins from 29 runners over the last 14 days, a yard very much in form.
Strong Run is the market leader and has done nothing wrong, winning at Southwell and finishing second at Wincanton. But she was beaten at Newbury in a mares' final last month and steps back into a novice. Lisnamurrican, with a form line of 4/1-25, has run against stronger opposition and the 11/8 feels generous given the firepower in her corner.
That Is Blue at 11/1 (Bet365) has shown she stays and has placed twice, but needs too big a step forward to trouble the principals. The field outside the top three is of limited interest.
Verdict: Lisnamurrican at 11/8 is the call. Small field, single figures, no each-way badge needed. Win only.
5:45 — KSR Lighting Handicap Chase (3m2f)
Selection: Edgewell (4/1, William Hill)
Three horses deserve serious consideration here: Ballynaheer, Sweet Nightingale, and Edgewell. The one I want is Edgewell at 4/1.
Nick Scholfield's eight-year-old has won his last two starts at Hereford over 3m1f on good ground, and both wins were convincing. The Spotlight notes he stayed on strongly in the most recent of those victories and remains well handicapped on his best form. He is only 3lb higher than when last winning, which is a workable rise after a back-to-back double, and the step up to 3m2f should not be an issue given how he travels through his races.
Sweet Nightingale is a live rival. She bolted up at Exeter last month but was ridden too aggressively at Plumpton and it cost her. Off the same mark, she is dangerous, but Charlie Deutsch needs to settle her more patiently today. Ballynaheer is in excellent form too, winning at Market Rasen 19 days ago, and his course and distance form is a major plus. The concern is David Dennis returning 0 from 3 in the last 14 days, suggesting the yard is not in its sharpest spell.
Edgewell is the one in form with the yard firing, and 4/1 is fair value for a horse who has won back-to-back and has obvious improvement left in him at this trip.
Verdict: Edgewell, win only. Seven runners, 3 places on offer for each-way punters but the win case is solid enough to back straight.
6:20 — KSR Lighting Handicap Hurdle (2m5½f)
Selection: Jackomy (7/4, William Hill)
Neil Mulholland's six-year-old is the most in-form horse on the entire card tonight. He has won his last two starts at Wincanton and Ludlow, both on good ground, and the progression in those runs has been striking. His last victory at Ludlow was described as dominant, and while he is 10lb higher than for that win, lightly raced horses with form on the rise can often absorb those kinds of rises without breaking sweat.
The 2m5½f at Fontwell on good to soft is a suitable test. Mulholland is returning 3 wins from 25 runners in the last 14 days, a respectable clip, and Conor O'Farrell takes the ride. The RPR of 127 is competitive for this grade, and the trajectory of his form is the key factor.
Valadon is the main danger. Harry Fry is operating at 2 from 7 runners in 14 days, a sharp return, and Valadon won this very race 12 months ago. He ran a solid third at Wincanton last time and deserves plenty of respect. He's the one to beat if Jackomy's hefty rise catches up with him.
He's A Latchico has a fine Fontwell record (11631) and could easily creep into the frame at 15/2. Precious Metal is interesting at 7/1 on a drop in grade after a tough Sandown assignment, but needs a market move to fully commit.
Verdict: Jackomy is the selection at 7/4. Small field of six, nothing to each-way here. Back him to win.
Today's NAP
Odds: 7/4 — William Hill (others: 13/8 Betfred, 3.55 Betfair Exchange)
Two wins from two in recent weeks, both convincing, both on going that suits tonight. Lightly raced six-year-olds with upward form trajectories are the horses to follow in spring handicap hurdles, and Jackomy fits that profile precisely. The 10lb rise is the only concern, but his last Ludlow win had plenty in hand and there is every reason to expect him to cope. Valadon is respected, but Mulholland's horse is the one going the right way at the right time.