15:55 Wetherby

Saturday 4 February 2017

All13:0513:4014:1514:4515:2015:5516:25

Smurfit Kappa inspirepac Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 6m 55.20s

Duke Of Lucca^b,t¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-4| J: Miss Francesca Nimmo⁽⁷⁾| T: Francesca Nimmo| OR: 133

16/1

Smart chaser at his best and winner of a Listed chase at Aintree two years ago. Has won on soft, though best form on good or good to soft. Not seen since April 2015, but if fit enough he should have too much class for this lot.

Form: 810/PU1-

Nowurhurlin²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Nick Orpwood⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Stilgoe| OR: 120

10/1

Hunter chase winner who has a bit to find with some of this lot on official ratings, but stays well and handles most going. Possibilities if stripping fitter for recent pipe opener.

Form: 3142-22

Open Hearted^t³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 130

8/1

Fakenham winner (3m, good) in October 2015 from a mark of 138 and a classy sort at his best. Has a bit to prove now, however, after failing to complete on his last two starts, though a much better effort would not surprise.

Form: P/P3512-

Ardea¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: Justin Landy

5/4

Prolific in point-to-points and hunter chases and neither conditions nor trip will hold any fears, so claims of some prize money, especially if one or two leading lights fail to fire.

Form: 111221

Forge Valley^p²⁴⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Thomas Greenwood⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss G Walton| OR: 91

50/1

Moderate point-to-pointer and hunter chaser who looks out of his depth in this.

Form: 682311-

Galway Jack²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr T A McClorey⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 132

5/2

Soft ground handicap chase winner off 128 almost three years ago, and though he has been largely consistent since then he has failed to add to that. Fallen on his last two starts but with a clear round today he could be a danger if his stamina holds up.

Form: F/F11P2-

One Conemara¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr John Dawson| T: Mrs C Coward| OR: 104

7/1

Multiple point-to-point winner who comes here in good form after a recent Sheriff Hutton success. Having said that, he looks a bit short on class to be following up today.

Form: F31411-

Non-Runners

Brody Bleu²⁴⁷

Weight: 12-4| Age: 10

T: Miss L Wallace J: Mr J Smith-Maxwell

Forecasts

Ardea (5/4), Galway Jack (5/2), Brody Bleu (6/1), One Conemara (7/1), Open Hearted (8/1), Nowurhurlin (10/1), Duke Of Lucca (16/1), Forge Valley (50/1)

This revolves around one or two formerly class acts and whether they can reproduce something like their true ability and we will side with DUKE OF LUCCA to win it. Open Hearted is another for the short-list, while Galway Jack, Ardea and Brody Blue are others who cannot be confidently crossed out. 1. Duke Of Lucca 2. Open Hearted 3. Galway Jack