20:20 Cheltenham

Friday 3 May 2019

All17:0517:4018:1518:5019:2019:5020:20

Junior Jumpers Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 20:22 | Winning time: 5m 19.80s

Risk A Fine^h,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr James King| T: Gareth Moore| OR: 139| D

10/11

Improving point-to-pointer, was useful under Rules but seems to have taken on new lease of life lately, with some bold front-running displays. Different type of track to handle here but big chance nevertheless.

Form: P11211-

Delegate^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr Ed Glassonbury⁽³⁾| T: J Guerriero| OR: 124

33/1

Useful chaser for Keith Dalgleish at his peak, went off to quickly for own good at Southwell last time and faces competition for the lead here too. Likely to come up short unless settling better.

Form: 146/P23-

Hidden Charmer^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: N R Williams| OR: 121| BF

12/1

Just got the better of Delegate at Ludlow two starts back but disappointed when a short price at Bonvilston last time (trip possible too far). May do better here, but needs to.

Form: PU6213-

Bishops Road^p⁶¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: T R David| OR: 130| D

16/1

Thorough stayer under Rules for Kerry Lee, last seen finishing third in the Cambridgeshore National at Huntingdon and unless the rains really come, likely to find this too sharp a test.

Form: 32UP63-

Champagne West^t²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: R Bandey| OR: 133| CD

8/1

Top class chaser in his heyday back in 2017, but looks on the downgrade these days and has put in two very moderate efforts this year. Change of yard may buck his ideas up though, so watch market is the advice.

Form: P7/953P-

Knockraha Prince^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr James Jeavons⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Hannah Taylor| OR: 85| D

100/1

Beaten out of sight more often that not and needs snookers if he's to find any way of getting competitive here.

Form: P0/PP54-

Lawsons Thorns^h²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: M J Vanstone| OR: 91

100/1

Placed in his last four point-to-points but the form is nothing to write home about, and others readily make more appeal.

Form: P42332-

Petrou^t1⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr W Thirlby⁽⁷⁾| T: K L Smith| OR: 134

5/1

Solid performer in point-to-points, good second to Foxhunters winner Hazel Hill in December and has gained two deserved successes this spring. Trip fine and likely good ground ideal, so has to be taken seriously.

Form: 322211-

Village Vic⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr David Maxwell| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| CD

5/1

Former high-class handicapper and loves it around here, but has looked somewhat on the downgrade and now needs to refind best form. Return to this track may help, but he comes with risks now.

Form: PFP0P/5-

Non-Runners

Crazy Jack²⁹

Weight: 11-13| Age: 11

T: Mrs A R Hewitt J: Mr G Crow

Forecasts

Risk A Fine (10/11), Village Vic (5/1), Petrou (5/1), Champagne West (8/1), Hidden Charmer (12/1), Bishops Road (16/1), Crazy Jack (16/1), Delegate (33/1), Knockraha Prince (100/1), Lawsons Thorns (100/1)

RISK A FINE did well to win at Stratford, given the attentions of another horse early on, but he soon shrugged him aside and went on to win well. He might have to do the same again here, with Village Vic in attendance, but he looks the progressive one and should score. If they do go very quick, it will help the chances of Bishops Road, who could arguably do with another mile, but will be coming home with a rattle. Petrou holds a clear chance of getting a place, but at a bigger price, don't rule out a better effort from Hidden Charmer either.