Smarkets Open Hunters' Chase (For The John Dufosee Memorial Trophy)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 7m 18.67s

Unioniste¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| CD

4/7

High-class handicap chaser in his prime who has found a niche in this sphere. Only 10th of 24 in the Foxhunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but this is much easier and he has strong claims.

Form: 09-2110

Carraig Mor¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: C R Barber| OR: 136

7/4

Promising over hurdles and fences during the early part of his career, but has clearly had a few issues given his low mileage. Comfortable winner of a point-to-point earlier this month and enters calculations.

Form: UP12/F-1

Cinevator²⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss E Pickard⁽⁷⁾| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 95| D

25/1

Won a couple of point-to-points for this trainer last year, but showed little in two hurdles starts for Jeremy Scott. This should be more suitable, but others are preferred.

Form: 5-11790

Minmore Grey³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Pte Alexandra Bell⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lampard| OR: 63

125/1

Still without a win after 12 starts under rules and 12 point-to-point races. Miles behind Unioniste at Fontwell last month and is readily opposed.

Form: 65F-P45

Distracted^p,t⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr D Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Alan Roberts| OR: 93| C

25/1

Has a couple of wins over fences on her CV, but was beaten a long way in a point-to-point in January and will do well to get involved.

Form: 65P-P37

Non-Runners

Trueflyingcolours³¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 12

T: S Penny J: Miss K Lyons

Forecasts

Unioniste (4/7), Carraig Mor (7/4), Cinevator (25/1), Distracted (25/1), Trueflyingcolours (50/1), Minmore Grey (125/1)

Only UNIONISTE and Carraig Mor can seriously be considered for win purposes and ready preference is for the former, who had been running well in this sphere before finding the opposition too hot at the Cheltenham Festival. His main rival has always been a talented horse and can give him something to think about.