17:05 Chepstow

Thursday 22 March 2018

All14:2014:5015:2516:0016:3517:0517:35

Polyroof Products Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:09 | Winning time: 6m 28.60s

Al Co³⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 12-3| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 129| CD

7/2

2014 Scottish National winner in his pomp, has also won over this C&D. Scored on penultimate run at Kelso, flopped there since. Question of which mood he shows up in.

Form: 0P0-714

Fourovakind^b³³

Age: 13| Weight: 12-3| J: Miss K Lyons⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hazell| OR: 125| CD

12/1

Useful chaser at best and some promise in first hunter chase at Warwick in January, faller when seemingly going well enough since at Haydock since when falling six from home. More required.

Form: P/43-62F

Vasco Du Mee^b,t³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-3| J: Miss Josephine Banks⁽⁷⁾| T: M H Weston| OR: 129| BF| CD

11/4

Won this last year in a canter, unsighted under rules since, enjoyed a pipe-opener in a point-to-point last month and should now be primed for another bold bid under owner/rider.

Form: 15331-3

Lord Heathfield^b³³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien| T: Miss C Mews| OR: 105| D

25/1

Into the veteran stage, no problem with this trip (stays much further) and ground ideal, though hasn't really threatened to make his mark in hunter chase sphere so far.

Form: 32F-P44

Repeat Business³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Nick Williams| T: J W Tudor| OR: 105| CD

11/1

Winner of a C&D novice hunter last April, fit from point-to-point exploits now and should give a decent account.

Form: 1131-P3

Battle Dust^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley| OR: 107| BF| CD

3/1

Did well over the winter in point-to-point since joining this yard and nothing wrong with runner-up finish in Catterick novices' hunter chase earlier this month. Respected.

Form: 6P-1212

Richmond^p¹⁰⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: P P Turner| OR: 102| D

20/1

No match for Vasco Du Mee in this last year (third) and overall profile in hunter chases suggests place money might be the height of expectations again.

Form: 33130-U

Tinkers Hill Tommy^t²⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr James King| T: Mrs Bridget Lewis| OR: 111| D

9/2

Five-time point-to-point winner and finished last season in good form in that sphere, as well as here when runner-up in Champion Novice Hunter at Stratford in June. Returns from a break and dangerous to ignore.

Form: 212-112

Non-Runners

Charlie Breekie³⁹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 9

T: Robert Llewellyn J: Mr William Biddick

Forecasts

Vasco Du Mee (11/4), Battle Dust (3/1), Al Co (7/2), Tinkers Hill Tommy (9/2), Repeat Business (11/1), Fourovakind (12/1), Charlie Breekie (14/1), Richmond (20/1), Lord Heathfield (25/1)

VASCO DU MEE should have a solid claim of landing this race for the second year running having enjoyed a spin in a point-to-point recently. He came home under this rider in a common canter last year, and is the one to beat again. Tinkers Hill Tommy could be chief danger, having ended last season as an improver in this sphere, while Al Co – if in the mood – and Repeat Business are others that merit consideration.