18:05 Stratford

Friday 9 June 2017

All17:3018:0518:4019:1519:5020:2521:00

Foxdenton Gins Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 18:07 | Winning time: 4m 17.70s

Darwins Fox²²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: D M Christie| OR: 141| D

3/1

Has the class to take this, and form of latest win over Can Mestret at Fontwell has had a boost, with that one winning twice since. Close sixth in the Aintree Foxhunters this season too. Any rain a plus, trip suits, and must be high on the shortlist.

Form: 33164-1

Decade Player^t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas⁽³⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 115| CD

9/1

Winner of this last year, although came into the race in arguably better form than he does this year. Went off too quickly for his own good at Southwell last time and although not discounted, this is a stronger affair than last year.

Form: 14P1PP-

Ballet Marbleless^p,t⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: John Mead

200/1

Form, as it is, has taken a sorry turn for the worse lately and this veteran can't be seriously considered the winner.

Form: P55F6P

Carters Rest¹⁰

Age: 14| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss J Walton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs D Walton| OR: 94| D

40/1

Getting on in years but retains some ability, as he showed when second to the long odds-on Lough Inch at Hexham recently. That's only moderate form though , and not of the standard of one or two here.

Form: 5537-72

Churchfield Champ^t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr L Drowne⁽⁷⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 109| BF| D

20/1

Rather all-or-nothing recently, as a record of three wins punctuated by three pulled-up efforts show. Likely to find this too quick a test anyway, and others easily preferred.

Form: P1P-11P

Numbercruncher¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr David O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: David O'Brien| OR: 97

14/1

Some of his form makes him look of interest here, such as his easy Open win at Garthorpe last year, and his Open win at Tabley this. Not so good latest, and may ideally want a bit further, but not short of pace and chances of the places if bouncing back to best.

Form: 1/241-P3

Ring Ben^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: P Rowley| OR: 109

14/1

Won a moderate Restricted event at Cold Harbour but couldn't follow up when made favourite for a similar event at Garthorpe, and others readily preferred.

Form: 23/P2-13

Strongpoint^t¹⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Coward| OR: 125| D

18/1

Useful handicap chaser for Stuart Crawford at his peak, and this sort of test used to be ideal, but recent form less encouraging. Drop back to 2m may help, but still a lot to take on trust. Any rain a plus, however.

Form: 57152-P

Vide Cave³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Gittins⁽⁷⁾| T: Nicola White| OR: 109| D

66/1

Only a moderate handicap chaser for Paul NIcholls at his peak, and looks to have too much on here after a poor effort last time out.

Form: PP/F8P-3

Exclusive Rights¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Mrs C Hardwick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Harkin| OR: 83

33/1

In no sort of form at present and can't be realistically considered a likely winner.

Form: 2P54-3P

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 45p in the pound

Non-Runners

Are They Your Own³⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: Miss Brodie Hampson

Forecasts

Are They Your Own (1/1), Darwins Fox (3/1), Decade Player (9/1), Numbercruncher (14/1), Ring Ben (14/1), Strongpoint (18/1), Churchfield Champ (20/1), Exclusive Rights (33/1), Carters Rest (40/1), Vide Cave (66/1), Ballet Marbleless (200/1)

On all known evidence this looks a match between Darwins Fox and ARE THEY YOUR OWN, and with the latter so impressive when winning at Cheltenham he may be able to follow up under conditions that c;learly suit. Darwins Fox is doing little wrong but may find the selection has a little too much pace for him. Decade Player needs to bounce back to his best, but would be a danger if doing so.