By Peter Moore at Fontwell Park Tuesday 22nd September 2026
Picture: Motazzen Credit: Darren Cool
Course specialist Motazzen made it five wins at the Sussex track after landing the 2m 5 ½ F handicap hurdle on Tuesday.
The Henrietta Knight trained eight-year-old backed up his previous success at Fontwell sixteen days ago with a three and a quarter length victory under Brendan Powell.
Part owner Knight and Carol Jackson were on hand in the winners enclosure afterwards.”Carol said can’t you run him nearer home and I said no you have to run him nearer south.” Motazzen had to be game to go and and win the race. Knight added “He knows if he comes up the hill he can come in and get his food.”
Virtual Rock showed some of his Flat class when sealing a double in a week for trainer Des Donovan in the 2m1½f conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
The seven-year-old won a Listed race at Longchamp in 2023 and finished second in a Group 3 at Chantilly to subsequent Group 1 winner Simca Mille the previous year when trained in France.
Since coming to Britain, Virtual Rock has landed a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter for Robert Eddery in 2024 and, after two runs for John Butler this summer following two years off, he has bounced back to winning ways for Donovan, with a 33-1 success at the Staffordshire track before this two-length victory under Shane Fenelon here.
The seven-year-old had an official rating of 100 on the Flat, but he was winning off a jumps mark of 107 at Uttoxeter and defied a 7lb penalty in this contest.
Donovan said “Shane said he would prefer a more galloping course, so there might be a better race in him. He’s had problems, but he’s sound as a bell now.
“He’s rated 100 on the Flat with his form in France and should hopefully be able to go up another bit [over jumps].”
Popular horse Tapley made a winning debut for new trainer Gary & Josh Moore in the 2m 3f handicap chase under Caollin Quinn who made all to land the odds by three lengths from Lermoos Legend.
Three-year-old Royal Sapphire, a 2,000gns purchase at the Tattersalls July Sale, made a winning debut for Jennie Candlish in the juvenile maiden hurdle, scoring by four and a quarter lengths under Irish jockey Ian Power.
The son of Australia, who was previously trained on the Flat by Joseph O’Brien, sealed an across-the-card double for Candlish, who struck with another yard debutant in In The Trenches at Warwick.
The yard of Jonjo & AJ O’Neill are in fine form and added to their tally after Yes Day defied top weight to score in the 3m 2f contest by seven lengths.