Robert Hoare Novices' Hunters' Chase

5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 5f 44y | 5 Runners | Turf

Foxcub^p,t1²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Miss Emma Yardley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 113| C| D

Clear-cut winner of a 3m contest at this track in February, but was disqualified after his jockey failed to weigh in when well beaten at Catterick last time. Wears cheekpieces for the first time in bid to bounce back.

Form: 3P-221D

Blackwood Rover⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Carey Williamson⁽³⁾| T: B Dowling| OR: 76

Has failed to win any of his 10 races over fences and unseated his rider in a recent point-to-point. Plenty to find on ratings and is readily opposed.

Form: P33P-2U

Diplomate Sivola⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123

French import who was a winner over hurdles and has been placed six times in eight races over fences. Debut run for stable and trying a new discipline, but would not have to be out of the ordinary to win this.

Form: 22276F

Mountain Eagle^h,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Richard Collinson⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Gibbons| OR: 117

Showed some promise in a novice chase when trained by Harry Fry, but has been running in point-to-points recently and has been pulled up in two of his last three. Needs to show much more to get involved on this return to racing under rules.

Form: 35/3-P2P

Right Of Reply⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: T Gredley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

Winning hurdler who was having his first run since undergoing wind surgery when last of four finishers in a similar race at Bangor in February. Can do better and is one of the more likely contenders for his good stable.

Form: 43-1564

Forecasts

Diplomate Sivola (5/6), Foxcub (4/1), Mountain Eagle (5/1), Right Of Reply (6/1), Blackwood Rover (20/1)

Foxcub can get involved if cheekpieces have the desired effect, but Blackwood Rover and Mountain Eagle have less going for them and are passed over. Right Of Reply has done enough to suggest he should be competitive, but if French import DIPLOMATE SIVOLA adapts to hunter chasing hen he should be too strong for these rivals. His leading yard will have prepared him well.