16:15 Ludlow
Wednesday 8 February 2017
All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1516:50
February Hunters' Chase
- 6YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 4f 11y  |  Soft  |  13 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 26.70s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Useful handicap chaser/hurdler for Nicky Henderson. Type to do well in this sphere and one to fear, although wouldn't want ground to become too testing with best form on a decent surface.
Tremendous fourth at big odds in Topham Trophy at Aintree last April for previous connections and makes debut here for new yard. Has only ever won going left-handed so today's track might not be ideal.
In and out performer in hunter chases but did win at Cheltenham last April on good ground. Soft conditions here something of a concern however.
Modest performer over hurdles and fences under rules and soon left behind on pointing debut at Barbury recently. Likely better for run but probably will be outclassed today.
First-time visor did the trick in Exeter hunter chase last time and clearly in good heart, but this looks much tougher and will probably find a few too good this afternoon.
In touch when fell at the 9th in Hereford hunter chase last week. Overall form profile leaves him with plenty to find in this decent event so may struggle.
Some decent pieces of form in Ireland a few seasons ago but nothing to write home about in recent times. Joined current yard only last week and may need more time to acclimatise on these shores.
Very ordinary handicap chaser making hunter chase debut this afternoon for new yard. Hard to see him proving good enough to get involved at the business end of the contest.
Fair hunter chaser who was second over C&D last March. Not out of the reckoning but does need to do better here with some useful performers in opposition.
Winner fo five point-to-points making his hunter chase debut this afternoon. Looks as though he might find this quite a challenge but worth noting any market interest.
No great shakes in point-to-points but did win at Umberleigh back in June in intermediate event. This is a different task however and he should find this company a major challenge.
Third in a poor claiming hurdle at Worcester last August for previous yard and surely going to find this task too much for him on hunter chase bow.
Decent handicapper chaser a few season ago but not seen under rules for the last 22 months. Represents powerful yard, has experienced rider on board, and likely to be fit on his return so one to consider.
Forecasts
Persian Snow (5/2), Bear's Affair (3/1), Distime (3/1), Old Pride (8/1), Sam Cavallaro (16/1), Daring Article (16/1), Mr Sawyer (16/1), Invisible Man (25/1), Pay Your Way (25/1), Moscow Chancer (33/1), Lotus Pond (40/1), Easyondeye (80/1), Expanding Universe (100/1)
BEAR'S AFFAIR has his first outing in this sphere and this formerly decent handicap chaser might be good enough to get off the mark at the very first time of asking this afternoon. The main danger might prove to be another formerly capable chaser in the shape of Angie Loder's Distime, an excellent fourth at Aintree in the Topham Trophy last spring. Persian Snow comes into the reckoning on his form of a couple of seasons ago but his fitness must be taken on trust, while ex-Irish Daring Article is one to keep an eye on in the betting market.
1. Bear's Affair
2. Distime
3. Persian Snow
Prize Money
1st: £2,496.002nd: £774.003rd: £387.004th: £194.00
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