16:05 Fakenham
Friday 17 February 2017
All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3516:0516:35
William Bulwer Long Memorial 'Grassroots' Hunters' Chase
- 5YO plus  |  Class 6  |  3m 38y  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:07Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 6m 35.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Stays 4m, as he showed when winning on Cheltenham's hunter chase evening last year, and won this event under Josephine Banks last year too, demonstrating his effectiveness on a tight track as well as a galloping one. Recent pipeopener at Cocklebarrow will have set him up nicely for this, and looks to have every chance of a repeat victory.
Useful chaser for Mick Channon, although perhaps never quite hit the heights he once promised, but has made a good start to his point-to-point career, winning with some ease at Thorpe Lodge last time out. Is in good form and with trip and ground fine, looks one of the more likely winners.
Multiple point-to-point winner over the past three years, and performed with great credit when going down narrowly to the Festival-bound Wonderful Charm at Musselburgh last time, keeping on well but unable to challenge the easy winner. Has a bit to find with the principals but not discounted.
Some form at a low level for Mick Appleby under Rules, but was hard to win with and needed quick ground to be at his best. Well beaten in two point-to-points recently and no realistic chance.
Not out of the first two in any of his last 11 starts, and handles the track as he showed when winning here last March, showing resolution to beat Master Workman by just over a length. Not seen since a good second to On The Bridge at Warwick last April but can go well fresh, and should be involved in the fight for the places at least.
Looked to have a good future over fences ahead of him after taking a decent novices handicap chase at Doncaster two seasons ago, and performed with credit in handicaps afterwards. Looks an exciting prospect for the point-to-point scene if a win over the useful Big Fella Thanks at Chaddesley Corbett is anything to go by, and every chance today.
Will strip fitter for his recent run behind Warden Hill at Thorpe Lodge (pulled up after leading for good proportion of contest) and knows the track well, having run five times here (with mixed results, although did win in 2015). Needs a bit more to challenge the principals but not without hope.
Only moderate under Rules but making a better fist of it in point-to-points, winning two (at big prices) at Hutton and Hexham. Given run style of staying on late, this track probably not ideal, and needs to improve form anyway.
Multiple point-to-point winner over the years, and recent easy win at Thorpe Lodge shows that the fire still burns at the age of 12. Stays three miles well these days and has a decent turn of foot on her day, but not hard to think one or two of these might prove a bit too good for her.
Forecasts
Wild Bill (2/1), Warden Hill (11/4), Carlton Ryan (3/1), Vasco Du Mee (8/1), Popaway (10/1), Mr Madeit (14/1), Master Workman (33/1), Hurraboru (66/1), Flash Tommie (66/1)
Quite an open looking hunter chase, and preference is just for WILD BILL who looks like he might have a good future ahead of him in point-to-points. He always threatened to be a useful performer for Evan Williams and now he may get his chance to prove it. Warden Hill was another to do well under Rules and his recent win shows him to be in good form, and he and Carlton Ryan can fight out the places. Vasco De Mee might want a bit further.
1. Wild Bill
2. Warden Hill
3. Carlton Ryan
Prize Money
1st: £1,872.002nd: £580.003rd: £290.004th: £145.00
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