Fontwell Preview: Theatrical Star ready to shine

Trainer Colin Tizzard has struck form with a vengeance and Theatrical Star can take advantage of an ease in grade to provide him with another winner in the 3m 2f handicap chase at Fontwell today (2.10).

The gelding was a progressive sort when winning three times in the first half of 2013, and after being highly tried in decent class 2 contests got back to winning ways when landing a class 3 contest at Taunton 12 months ago by seven lengths off a mark of 130.

The eight-year-old went on to be placed in class 2 contests at Ascot and Sandown off 137 and 135, and is now able to race off 134 having run really well over hurdles on seasonal reappearance when fifth of 12 to Katkeau in a class 1 Listed contest at Cheltenham.

That run should have blow away the cobwebs and put Theatrical Star spot on for this, and he now significnatly drops down into class 3 company.

The son of King’s Theatre has won his last three starts in the grade, and off a mark just 4lb higher than when last successful looks weighted to take all the beating in the hands of Brendan Powell.

Madame De Guise is back down to her last winning mark and looks decent each-way value in the 2m 2f handicap hurdle (2.40)

The mare shaped with plenty of promise on hurdling debut for Nicky Hendersopn when a 6 3/4 length fourth o1 10 to the now 161-rated Purple Bay at Stratford and went won a handicap hurdle at Chepstow back in the spring off 109.

Now in the care of Laura Mongan, the five-year-old shaped really well on debut for her new handler when runner-up to Springinherstep in a class 3 contest at Stratford in October off a mark of 111.

Altough Madame De Guise failed to build on that effort when turned out quickly in a class 3 contest at Fontwell, the daughter of Le Balfre has been eased 2lb to 109 and will appreciate the drop down into class 4 company this afternoon.

In the 2m 4f handicap hurdle that closes the card (3.40), Back By Midnight can take advantage of a drop in the weights to open his account over the obstacles.

The Emma Baker trained gelding shaped better than the bare result suggests on handicap debut when sixth of 11 at Towcester on seasonal reappearance off an opening mark of 92, and backed that up with a fair eighth of 17 to Definitely Better at Exeter last time out.