by Guy Pridie

Fontwell Park was bathed in autumn sunshine for its Wednesday afternoon jumps card, with many horses making their reappearance following a well-earned summer break.

One such horse was Super Sabre Sam, returning to the track following a 260-day absence to land the opening maiden hurdle.

The five-year-old caught the eye in his striking white noseband, travelling strongly in the middle of the pack under a confident Brendan Powell.

The jockey had every reason to be confident, as he was riding a horse trained by Neil Mulholland who has started the season in red hot form.

Super Sabre Sam could be called the winner as they entered the home straight, and despite an untidy jump two out, he galloped on strongly without his rider ever having to ask for maximum effort.

Powell looked to be in with a good chance of a quickfire double in race two, his mount Defi Nonantais having been backed from 14/1 into 7/4 favourite at the off. However, the market leader could not keep tabs with the Ben Pauling trained Golden Ambition, who was breaking his maiden tag at the eleventh time of asking under jockey Kielan Woods.

Pauling followed up in the next race with now first choice stable jockey Ben Jones doing the steering on this occasion. Jones was treated to a fine round of jumping from his mount, Samazul, who soared over the open ditch three flights from home when taking command of the race, and although hard pressed on the run in, he had enough in hand to score by a convincing four-and-a-three quarter lengths.

There was Sussex success to be celebrated in race four, with the Jim and Suzi best yard continuing their fine run of form, Colours on Canvas making it three winners from their last seven runners.

Title-chasing Sean Bowen maintained his perfect 100% on this horse, getting his mount into a lovely rhythm on the front end.

The pair lead from pillar to post although they were made to work hard for their victory - it looked momentarily as though Ben Pauling would be collecting his third winner of the day, as Whatsupwithyou under Ben Jones joined the eventual winner at the final flight.

However, Bowen and his trademark power packed finish ensured that Colours on Canvas would not be denied. Fontwell regular Instant Gambler made its three wins at the course this season in the three mile two furlong handicap chase.

The progressive son of Getaway has been in fine fettle this year and has formed a great bond with jockey Adam Wedge, whose silky handling suits this horse down to the ground.

The finale produced somewhat of a surprise result, as Mutley Crew benefitted from a drop in class to land the two mile three furlong novice handicap hurdle. Mutley Crew sat in second for most of the race, before finding himself a tad outpaced as the horses exited the back straight for the last time.

Having dropped to fourth, rider Harry Kimber issued his horse with a reminder to keep tabs with the front three. As those ahead of him began to falter in the home straight, Mutley Crew kept on galloping to land a most game success, beating off a well-fancied runner of the Neil Mulholland yard in the process.