Thursday selections for Fontwell

Gary Moore has a big chance of a double on the card at Fontwell Park on Thursday.
Andrew Balding's Night of GloryAndrew Balding's Night of Glory
Andrew Balding's Night of Glory

The Lower Beeding-based trainer, who is a regular fixture at the West Sussex track, runs the impressive French recruit Distingo in the second race on the card.

This five-year-old was a decent flat performer in his homeland and showed promise in four hurdles starts there, too.

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He has had one outing for Moore since coming to the UK in January and was an emphatic eight-length winner.

West Sussex trainer Gary MooreWest Sussex trainer Gary Moore
West Sussex trainer Gary Moore

That win looked easy enough and there is plenty for Moore still to work on.

And we fancy Moore can land a quick-fire double by taking the 3.10pm with Gores Island.

Though without a win since 2015, this admirable 12-year-old has been lowered to a very attractive mark and won’t have many better opportunites to win than this.

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Only two rivals are in opposition here and both have big questions to answer.

West Sussex trainer Gary MooreWest Sussex trainer Gary Moore
West Sussex trainer Gary Moore

Gores Island, on the other hand, will be suited by the improving ground and should go well.

Andrew Balding may be better known for his flat runners but he has a decent hurdler on his hands in the shape of Night Of Glory.

This four-year-old is impeccably bred – being a son of Derby and Arc De Triomphe winner Sea The Stars – and he picked up a couple of wins and placings when tried on the flat.

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However, Balding has decided to venture into the hurdling scene with this one and his debut over obstacles was impressive.

That run, at Warwick last month, saw him finish third despite refusing to settle early on.

Entitled to come on for that experience, Night Of Glory looks a likely winner of the opening race at Fontwell.

Minellatillmoring was an impressive winner of his handicap hurdle debut at Taunton earlier this month and escapes a penalty in the Happy Birthday Sarah Cotty Handicap Hurdle.

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Neil Mulholland’s six-year-old looked mightily impressive on that run and will take all the beating here with conditions to suit.

Jamie Snowden’s Shockingtimes may not be the most reliable but when he has conditions to suit he can be very hard to catch.

His first two runs this season saw him fall here at Fontwell in October, then refuse to race at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

However, he looked back to somewhere near his best when second at Leicester last time out.

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The last race on the card can go to Ali Stronge’s Scorpion Haze.

This five-year-old has raced just twice in his career but has only been beaten a length on both occasions.

His latest run, at Uttoxeter in December, saw him just touched off by a decent sort and a maiden win can’t be far away.

Selections: 2.05 Night Of Glory; 2.35 Distingo; 3.10 Gores Island; 3.45 Minellatillmorning; 4.20 Shockingtimes; 4.55 Scorpion Haze

• This preview was written by the horse racing experts at AccaDoo - the home of free daily horse racing and football tips, plus exclusive free bet offers.