totesport.com Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 7m 7.46s

Strumble Head^b¹⁹⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Bowen| OR: 119| CD

9/1

Returns from six-month absence and is now a teenager, scored twice last season however and cannot be discounted. Likely won't want to see any rain.

Form: 715123

Virak^p³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131| C

2/5

Classy chaser on his day and winner of both starts since switching to hunter chases this season before finishing in midfield in Foxhunters at Cheltenham last month. Good chance to get back on track here.

Form: 456-110

O Maonlai^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss H Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 124

3/1

Former Tom George inmate who certainly has ability but was never easy to catch right when trained by him. Conditions and trip no problem and if he can run to his ability then he has to be short-listed, though that is not guaranteed.

Form: 5-P2562

Railway Storm¹⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr R Withey⁽⁷⁾| T: C White| OR: 94

25/1

Has a couple of point-to-point wins on his CV and comes here fit having run in that sphere this month (fourth). Two years since sole win under rules (1-32) and up against it again seemingly.

Form: 2FP514

Too Late To Sell¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr S Ellicott⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs E B Scott| OR: 86

40/1

Closing in on two years since he was last spotted under rules and form shown at that point would leave him a big task to face now. Has a recent point-to-point outing behind him to boost fitness.

Form: 1-23263

Forecasts

Virak (2/5), O Maonlai (3/1), Strumble Head (9/1), Railway Storm (25/1), Too Late To Sell (40/1)

VIRAK found the Foxhunters at the Cheltenham Festival a bit too hot to handle last month but he'd previously won well this season in two starst at Ludlow and Haydock. Back in this sort of line-up, he should be capable of taking the spoils in the finale. O Maonlai is far from reliable but made a decent start for this trainer at Exeter and cannot be ruled out if turning up in the mood while Strumble Head could have a say if the ground doesn't deteriorate.