17:15 Stratford

Sunday 22 April 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1016:4517:15

totepool Betting On All UK Racing 'Grassroots' Hunter' Chase

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 5m 49.40s

Abricot De L'Oasis^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr F Henderson⁽⁷⁾| T: J H Henderson| OR: 132| BF

13/8

Threw victory away at Lockinge last time but hanging badly after the last with the race in the bag. That's still good form though and if he cuts out the party tricks this time, should be in the frame.

Form: 22-4522

Billy Merriott³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs C Fry| OR: 121| BF

6/4

Came close to lowering the colours of the useful Vivaldi Collonges at Newbury on latest start, finding the post coming just too late. Normally a solid jumper and one of the main contenders again today.

Form: 7UBU/1-2

Brave Jaq^h¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J Martin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 95

50/1

Only moderate under Rules and has been well beaten on most of his recent starts. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 3/0PP-3P

Mr Syntax¹⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Richard Collinson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss M Bentham| OR: 102

10/1

Well into the veteran stage now but retains plenty of enthusiasm for the game and came good at Higham last time, beating the useful Can Mestret with a bit in hand. Needs more here but clearly in good heart.

Form: 4332P1

Swallowshide¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr G Treacy⁽⁷⁾| T: J H Young| OR: 99

50/1

Never the most prolific of winners under Rules and recent point-to-point form leaves him well short of what's required here.

Form: 2FP744

The Caller^b1²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Gittins⁽⁷⁾| T: Mary Vestey

7/1

Useful chaser at best and his close second to the classy Barel Of Laughs at Bangor in February shows all is not lost, but two moderate efforts since then mean he needs to bounce back to form now.

Form: 7U62P3

Exclusive Rights¹⁰⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Mrs C Hardwick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Claire Hardwick| OR: 90

16/1

Second to Numbercruncher at Stratford last year the highlight of her recent career and her efforts other than that have been modest to say the least. Return to this venue may help but plenty to find.

Form: 4-3P24P

Non-Runners

Woodfleet¹⁴

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: R Bandey J: Mr Martin McIntyre

Forecasts

Billy Merriott (6/4), Abricot De L'Oasis (13/8), The Caller (7/1), Mr Syntax (10/1), Exclusive Rights (16/1), Woodfleet (16/1), Swallowshide (50/1), Brave Jaq (50/1)

BILLY MERRIOTT won an Open easily two starts ago and did well to run a good sort close at Newbury on his latest start. With conditions fine, he looks the one to beat. Abricot De L'Oasis managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last time but if staying on the straight and narrow this time, looks the main danger. Old Mr Syntax and The Caller may be best of the rest.