17:30 Cheltenham

Friday 4 May 2018

All16:5517:3018:0518:4019:1519:5020:25

Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Point-To-Point Championship Final Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:34 | Winning time: 6m 48.60s

Duhallow Tornado²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Tom Strawson⁽⁷⁾| T: C C Pimlott| D

2/1

In excellent form in point-to-points and, latterly, in two hunter chases. Must concede weight all round but holds strong for claims and is the one to beat.

Form: 211111-

Ballybane^p,t1²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: David Prichard⁽³⁾| T: Miss Claire Harris

17/2

Won his third point-to-point in a row last time in the hands of this jockey. Entitled to take his chance in this contest with a tongue strap added for the first time.

Form: 111111

Blazing Tom²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: J W Tudor

20/1

Not the soundest of jumpers at a course where fluency is important in that respect, and would probably prefer a softer surface to show his best.

Form: FFUU22

Fortune Bound²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: R Bandey

50/1

Generally good form in point-to-points recently, and with ground likely to suit he can't be ruled out of playing a role on stable debut.

Form: 1/41P52-

Mahlers Spirit³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr E David⁽⁵⁾| T: A Pennock

50/1

Far from the most consistent in point-to-points. A good quality performer on his day but will need to run to that level to even be in with a chance of placing in this.

Form: 12/33U1-

Mr Maclennane^p1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr A Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: N R Wright

16/1

Some form in point-to-points and stays further than this, but may lack the class to match the very best of these at this level.

Form: 24/1612-

Optimised³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley

9/4

Completed a hat-trick of point-to-points at Sandon last time out. 0/10 under rules so far but still of obvious interest given that recent level of form.

Form: 834111-

Summer Sounds^p1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J Jackson-Stops⁽⁷⁾| T: Francesca Nimmo| OR: 86

20/1

Not far away from a four-timer in his most recent start in a point-to-point; good form in that sphere so far in 2018 and seems to get on well with this jockey.

Form: 141112-

Welsh's Castle⁷⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Peters⁽⁷⁾| T: D Kemp

33/1

Has his moments in point-to-points but that's probably about as good as he is and needs a career best by a long way to have a say in this.

Form: 3/

Following Mama⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr James King| T: Mrs D Ralph

16/1

Perhaps not the most consistent in point-to-points over the past year or so, but recent efforts more solid and gets more weight from Dulhallow Tornado than when beaten just a length by that reopposing rival in January.

Form: 33/5212-

Kalabaloo¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: T Ellis

33/1

Won her last two starts in point-to-points. This demands more but she's young, unexposed and appears to be improving; not ruled out.

Form: 1/5311-

Thegirlfrommilan³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Bradley Gibbs⁽³⁾| T: D Gibbs| OR: 95

8/1

Clear-cut winner (at odds-on) of a point-to-point last time out. Form under rules less impressive but interesting on debut in a hunter chase (second start for yard).

Form: 3/P4P71-

Non-Runners

Velvet Cognac¹⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: A Hill J: Jack Andrews

Forecasts

Duhallow Tornado (2/1), Optimised (9/4), Thegirlfrommilan (8/1), Velvet Cognac (8/1), Ballybane (17/2), Mr Maclennane (16/1), Following Mama (16/1), Summer Sounds (20/1), Blazing Tom (20/1), Kalabaloo (33/1), Welsh's Castle (33/1), Fortune Bound (50/1), Mahlers Spirit (50/1)

Many of these arrive here in good form, but DULHALLOW TORNADO has progressed nicely from point-to-points to run in, and win, hunter chases recently. He has to concede weight all round but has form under rules, which is more than can be said for most of these, and won't have any issues getting the trip. In a relatively open race, Ballybane and Velvet Cognac, both point-to-point winners last time out, are others to consider.