BJP Insurance Brokers Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 6m 3.25s

Master Baker²²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Mrs Jo Supple⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L Jefford| OR: 120| D

5/4

Prolific point-to-point winner who showed his best form (after a breathing op) in this sphere when winning by 26L from Bletchley Castle at Taunton last time. Respected once more.

Form: 12-1F11

Sam Red^p,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-6| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: A B Leyshon| OR: 118| D

33/1

Won a handicap at Cheltenham for Dan Skelton back in October but has been very disappointing since, failing to beat another rival in four starts. Remains easy to oppose.

Form: 51PF0P

Southfield Vic^b²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss N Parker⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| D

4/1

Smart staying chaser at his best, although on the downgrade last season. Disappointing despite finishing second in a hunter chase at Fontwell last month, and needs to step up markedly now.

Form: 1489-62

Cadeau George^p¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: Douglas Gittins| OR: 110

33/1

Out of form for Ben Pauling in 2017/18, and while he has been successful in a point-to-point, that came in 2013, and he has been well beaten in his last two runs in that arena.

Form: PP22-R4

Forgotten Gold^b³⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr N George⁽³⁾| T: T R George| OR: 130| D

7/1

Rated 140 when runner-up in blinkers at Wincanton in October 2017, and obvious claims on that run, but absent until finishing a modest third on hunter bow at Doncaster last month. Should be straighter for that run.

Form: 103/P2-3

Village Vic³⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 145| C

5/2

Veteran who can go well fresh and is the type to take well to this new discipline, for all he was a declining force in handicaps last season.

Form: 0P/FP0P-

Forecasts

Master Baker (5/4), Village Vic (5/2), Southfield Vic (4/1), Forgotten Gold (7/1), Sam Red (33/1), Cadeau George (33/1)

VILLAGE VIC struggled from the top of the handicap in valuable events last season, but he appeals as the type to get a new lease of life as a hunter chaser, and he is taken to make the most of the weight he receives from Master Baker. Forgotten Gold was well held after a long absence last time, but should do better with that behind him.