14:45 Bangor

Friday 9 February 2018

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5016:2516:55

John Hewitt Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 5m 47.10s

Wells De Lune^h,t³⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-8| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 128

7/1

Taken out at Wetherby on Saturday when conditions were heavy and even soft ground is a concern when you look at his form. At least this trip is his optimum, so has a good positive to take into his first start for 13-months.

Form: 413165-

Hindon Road²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Miss E Todd⁽³⁾| T: Mrs C Drury| OR: 113| CD

25/1

All three of his career wins have included good in the going description and it is questionable whether he can produce the goods when it is soft. Does have a C&D win to his name, but recent form not strong enough.

Form: 5323P-U

Never Complain^p²⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Charlie Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs F Marshall| OR: 120| BF| D

8/1

Multiple point-to-point winner who has scored three times under rules at around this trip, including on soft. Last seen winning a Fontwell hunter chase by 22L in May and enters calculations.

Form: 1U2-11U

Numbercruncher²⁴⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr David O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: David O'Brien| OR: 105| D

12/1

Multiple winner of point-to-points over 3m whose last success was in a 2m1f Stratford hunter chase last June. Handles soft ground, though best form when conditions are drier and has plenty to find in this field.

Form: 241-P31

Dabinett Moon¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Mrs C Hardwick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs F J Marriott| OR: 110

10/1

Has two hunter chases over Stratford's 2m6½f trip on a sound/fast surface. Doesn't mind good to soft as she showed when winning a point-to-point last month, but has it to prove on ground this soft.

Form: 1-22121

Alfstar²⁸⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Jonathan Bailey⁽³⁾| T: Miss Joanne PriestWS

33/1

0-3 under rules, though has won 3-11 point-to-points, including on soft ground. Pulled up when last seen in a Cheltenham hunter chase in May and since had wind surgery. Level of form needs to improve for that to take a hand here.

Form: 1311P-P

Barrakilla⁷⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131| D

9/2

The last of three rules wins was in 2013, though it was over this sort of trip over fences. Progressed to a mark of 136 by the time he was last seen in action 25-months ago. Conditions suit for stable debut and has claims if he retains that ability.

Form: 320243/

Clues And Arrows¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss J Walton⁽³⁾| T: Miss G Walton| OR: 94| C

33/1

Without a win since 2014 and is 0-9 over fences. Has run with credit in a couple of recent point-to-point defeats and acts in these conditions, but has plenty on his plate in this line-up.

Form: 45-P732

Curragh Hall^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: L Humphrey| OR: 87

50/1

1-13 under rules, that being a 2m hurdle at Ludlow (good to soft) in 2014. Form tailed off quickly and has shown nothing in recent years that will have punters rushing to wager today.

Form: F-9PUP6

Indigo Island¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Owen| OR: 74

50/1

0-13 under rules and returns to the hunter chase circuit for the first time since May 2015 here. Has won 1-17 point-to-points since then and although he went close at Friars Haugh last time, he should be found wanting at this level.

Form: 1322-62

Module³⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr N George⁽⁵⁾| T: T R George| OR: 134| BF

11/4

Former Grade 2 chase winner (2m½f, heavy) from 2014. Was rated 157 then, but has not added to that and missed almost two years at one stage. Was still good enough to be 22L behind Fox Norton last season and claims if overcoming another year off.

Form: 744/4PP-

Right Of Reply⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 114WS

10/1

Won a Hexham maiden hurdle (2m7½f, good) on his second rules start last May and cost £70,000 in June. Has disappointed on both starts this term and now switches to this sphere after a wind op.

Form: F43-156

Silver Roque³¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas⁽³⁾| T: Mary Vestey| OR: 129| C| D

6/1

Has his optimum conditions/trip today and despite not been seen under rules for two years, he returns after completing a hat-trick between the flags at this trip. Looks to have retained much of his ability and is short-listed.

Form: 0UP/111-

Swift Escape⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Leanda Tickle⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Collins

50/1

Sole success under rules was in a bumper in 2012 and is without a win since a Hereford point-to-point success in 2015. Stays 3m and acts with cut, but recent efforts do not give much cause for optimism.

Form: PP23-7F

Martha's Benefit²⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr W J Milburn⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Nicholls| OR: 103| D

16/1

Was last seen winning a Cartmel maiden hunters' chase (2m5f, soft) in May by 11L. Is competitive between the flags, where she has won three times, but she is another whose form does not look up to this unless the big guns misfire.

Form: 221-P11

Forecasts

Module (11/4), Barrakilla (9/2), Silver Roque (6/1), Wells De Lune (7/1), Never Complain (8/1), Right Of Reply (10/1), Dabinett Moon (10/1), Numbercruncher (12/1), Martha's Benefit (16/1), Hindon Road (25/1), Alfstar (33/1), Clues And Arrows (33/1), Swift Escape (50/1), Curragh Hall (50/1), Indigo Island (50/1)

Several of these stand out as the likely leading contenders, but it is not an easy race to call, with Module and Barrakilla among those who could win it if fit and firing after lengthy absences. Wells De Lune is another with ability but whose better form has been on better ground, while Right Of Reply might have a squeak if the recent wind surgery has proved beneficial. However, SILVER ROQUE has proved his well being recently and has been dominating in point-to-points, so may be able to make a winning return in this sphere.