Fontaine Collonges

Fontaine Collonges put up a nice performance to win the handicap chase run over almost three and a quarter miles at Haydock last Saturday. Her jumping was a little lacking in fluency early on, but she warmed to her task as the race developed. She made nice ground for Tom Scudamore on the outside as they raced down the back straight final time, and she moved up on the outside of the leader Good Boy Bobby as they left the back straight. She and The Big Breakaway moved on over the third last fence, and she battled on well to get the better of a good duel with that rival, getting home by a head in the end.

It was a gritty performance by Venetia Williams’ mare. She had never gone beyond two and a half miles before but, out of a half-sister to Grand National winner Neptune Collonges, she is bred to appreciate this trip, and she stayed it well. There was a lot to like about the manner in which she warmed to her task, and about the willing attitude that she displayed. It was just her fifth chase and it was her first run since she won a mares’ novices’ handicap chase at Lingfield in January. Also, she was Venetia Williams’ first winner since last April. The handicapper raised her by 5lb to a mark of 137, and that was fair. She remains unexposed as a staying chaser, she goes well on soft and heavy ground, and she will be of interest wherever she goes next.
Haydock, 19^th November 2022