1st Security Solutions Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 6m 53.66s

Ardea³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽⁵⁾| T: Justin Landy| OR: 122| BF

3/1

Successful point-to-pointer and hunter chaser who showed his well being when second between the flags last month. Looks sure to give a good account in a strong contest.

Form: 12211-2

Hard Station^h⁶²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: R Bandey| OR: 129

16/1

Irish import who is a useful point-to-pointer and hunter chaser. Makes his stable debut after a lay-off of over 21 months and it will be some training performance if he were up to beating one or two of these rivals.

Form: 16P1/11-

Kilfinichen Bay^t¹⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr S Lee⁽⁷⁾| T: F Hutsby| OR: 132| D

10/1

Winner of eight hurdles races and three chase contests when trained by Charlie Longsdon. Makes his stable/hunter chase debut and has a fair chance on official ratings.

Form: 510644

Pacha Du Polder³²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Miss H C Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138| D

6/4

Excelled himself to win the Foxhunters Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival before finishing fourth in the Aintree equivalent, on both occasions under the excellent Bryony Frost. Sets the standard en route to another crack at Cheltenham.

Form: 334114-

Warden Hill^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr T Chatfeild-Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs H Connors| OR: 113| C

2/1

Point-to-point/hurdle and chase winner who performed respectably to finish third in a race of this nature at Market Rasen last time. Has more on his plate in this company, but should run his race.

Form: 0212-13

Forecasts

Pacha Du Polder (6/4), Warden Hill (2/1), Ardea (3/1), Kilfinichen Bay (10/1), Hard Station (16/1)

Kilfinichen Bay is an intriguing runner on his first venture into this sphere, but he faces a formidable rival in PACHA DU POLDER, who may not have the valuable assistance of Bryony Frost in hunter chases this year but should still take all the beating on his seasonal reappearance. Hard Station and Warden Hill are decent performers, but Ardea has strong form over the last year and may give the selection most to do.