17:05 Ludlow

Monday 9 April 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:0517:35

Magnus-Allcroft Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 5m 14.00s

Forever My Friend^b²²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 127| C| D

25/1

First start in hunter chases for this winner of 11-58 under Rules. Has 224 day absence to overcome so may just need the run but has claims if he is fit enough to do himself justice.

Form: 4-31435

Full Trottle^t⁵⁰

13/8

Prolific winning point to pointer won hunter chase over this C&D last term and at Cheltenham's May meeting. First run since wind surgery in February, but could be a big danger if back on song.

Form: 11-1224

Honkytonktennessee⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: R Willcox| OR: 115

50/1

Won handicap chase for Dan Skelton last summer. Makes hunter chase bow for new connections today and on overall balance of form has at laast 10lb improvement to find.

Form: 526293

Argot^b³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Tom Strawson⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Barlow| OR: 114

6/1

Seems to go on any ground and won Leicester hunter chase last time out in heavy conditions. on debut for current yard. More needed but shouldn't be too far away.

Form: 71-4R31

Bay Sly^h¹²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR: 115

8/1

Landed a hattrick made up of two point to points and a hunter chase last spring. Pulled up between the flags in December on first start for 6 months and appears to have it to do on that evidence.

Form: 23/1-11P

Numbercruncher¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr David O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: David O'Brien| OR: 105| D

25/1

Veteran who won at Stratford in June and excelled himself last time when runner-up in fair event at Ascot, although well beaten by the winner. Plenty to find on figures so a place probably best that can be hoped for.

Form: 1-P31P2

Crazy Jack¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr G Crow⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A R Hewitt| OR: 100| D

25/1

Won three times under Rules for Kim Bailey three season ago but hasn't shone of late in hunter chases for current yard and others are much preferred

Form: 344-374

Diplomate Sivola⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 123

7/1

Interesting contender. Still just a five-year-old but was heavily campaigned from a young age in France, winning just once but placing eight times. Debut for top yard trying unorthodox route so looks fascinating on hunter chase bow.

Form: 22276F

Johnnys Legacy^b¹⁰¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr James Jeavons⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Hannah Taylor| OR: 68

100/1

Little form to speak of in point to points and under Rules and is very hard to make any sort of a case for.

Form: P63/8-5P

Red Devil Lads^h,t⁵⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr James King| T: Mrs Sherree Lean| OR: 128| D

7/2

One-time fair sort who has been at his best when there is plenty of give underfoot. Popped up at 28/1 in handicap hurdle at Navan in November and ran well for a long way in Punchestown Grand National Trial latest. Hunter chase bow for new yard.

Form: 7P-6109

Queen Olivia^h⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Leanda Tickle⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 101

16/1

Landed two point to points and a hunter chase last spring but ran poorly after long absence when pulled up last time and now has a point to prove.

Form: 2/F11-1P

Forecasts

Full Trottle (13/8), Red Devil Lads (7/2), Argot (6/1), Diplomate Sivola (7/1), Bay Sly (8/1), Queen Olivia (16/1), Crazy Jack (25/1), Forever My Friend (25/1), Numbercruncher (25/1), Honkytonktennessee (50/1), Johnnys Legacy (100/1)

In a fair event RED DEVIL LADS is just preferred to French import Diplomate Sivola, who starts very early in hunter chases. The selection shaped well for a long way in a better event at Punchestown last time. Forever My Friend is another interesting recruit and may go close, while a decent display form Full Trottle is on the cards if the wind op has done the trick. Numbercruncher and Argot are others in with a shout.