Fontanays to make amends

GRAHAM McCOURT'S horses have been running well of late and Fontanays can keep up the good work in the Ledbury Handicap Hurdle at Hereford today. The consistent nine-year-old has been placed on all three outings this term and last time appeared an unlucky loser.

In a 17-runner seller at Chepstow, Fontanays was held up until making headway four out, leading three and forging into a four-length lead approaching the last. However, he blundered badly at that flight and handed the initiative to Scottish Wedding who held Fontanays at bay by two lengths.

Although without a win since March 1994, compensation awaits Fontanays in today's run of the mill contest and he can land the nap.

Charlie Brooks' promising hurdler Halona appeals as a sound bet to land the Hoechst Roussel Panacur European Breeders Fund Mares' `National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Following her encouraging third to Not For Turning at Kempton, the mare put up a creditable performance against the Cheltenham-bound Juyush at Towcester, keeping on at one pace from three out to be beaten a total of 20 lengths by the useful winner. With nothing of Juyush's calibre today Halona can register her first success.

At Plumpton it could be worth taking a chance with moody Melnik in the Bet With The Tote Novices' Chase. Amanda Perrett's gelding ran a terrible race last time when tailed off and pulled up before two out behind Sir Leonard at Huntingdon but was subsequently reported to be suffering from a virus, although it was not the first time the son of Nashwan had disappointed.

But prior to this abysmal effort the six-year-old had been successful on his fencing debut, beating the highly-regarded Conquering Leader by one and three quarter lengths at Folkestone in December. So as long he is in the right frame of mind Melnik should be well up to landing his second chase win.

Pet Express can regain the winning thread on Southwell's fibre sand following a disappointing run when tried on the equitrack at Lingfield on Thursday.

A winner of his first three starts this year all on the fibre sand Patrick Haslam's improved three-year-old failed to dominate on the faster surface at the Surrey track and finished third, beaten eight lengths behind Spaniard's Mount.