Bruce Farms 'Grassroots' Hunters' Chase (Corinthian Spirit Qualifier)

Off time: 20:35 | Winning time: 6m 13.4s

Greyed A⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss C R Crane⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss C Crane| OR: 112

22/1

Fortuitous 3m1f+ Plumpton winner for Dr Richard Newland in February 2018; last of three to finish when beaten 8L by Wizadora on PTP/stable debut at Witton Castle (3m Ladies Open) nine-days ago.

Form: 1/24P5-3

Mr Mercurial^t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr W B Ramsay⁽⁷⁾| T: Capt W B Ramsay| OR: 129| CD

4/7

Formerly with Sheila Crow, this 11yo has kept fine form this season for the Northumberland-based Arts Executive Will Ramsay; merely pushed out to beat Double Whammy by 2½L over C&D (good) last month; boasts strong credentials.

Form: 1/12301-

Black River^p,t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr William Easterby| T: W Easterby| OR: 120| D

3/1

With Paul Nicholls in 2015; impressive statistics in PTP's for Will Easterby (three wins, four seconds and a third from just nine starts); landed the odds at Charm Park (3m, good) when beating subsequent Hexham 'Heart' second Snow Castle by 2L.

Form: 311221-

Killer Crow^p,t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Kit Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 105| D

20/1

Former Gordon Elliott inmate; has acquitted himself respectably in PTP's since joining the Alexander family; made all to win a small-field Men's Open at Friars Haugh (3m, soft) in March; twice beaten by stablemate Racing Pulse since.

Form: P22143-

Molten Brown^p¹⁷

Age: 14| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss C Dun⁽⁷⁾| T: Tony Hogarth| OR: 83| D

40/1

Veteran, beaten a long way in this race in 2017 when finishing fourth to the ill-fated warrior Creevytennant; runner up in 2016; arrives as a recent winner having taken a 3m Conditions PTP by 8L at Mosshouses 17-days ago.

Form: P4U53-1

Wicked Spice^p³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Lyall Hodgins⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss C Walton| OR: 108| CD

15/2

Two-time Perth winner in his days with Nicky Richards; has taken time to find his feet in PTP's, but shaped encouragingly when beaten 5L by Racing Pulse over 3m at Tranwell (Morpeth) latest - holds Killer Crow on that bare form.

Form: P69P42-

Forecasts

Mr Mercurial (4/7), Black River (3/1), Wicked Spice (15/2), Killer Crow (20/1), Greyed A (22/1), Molten Brown (40/1)

Black River readily accounted for the subsequent Heart Of All England second (Hexham) when landing the odds in a 3m Mixed Open at Charm Park (good) in early April and should be massively respected now switched back to rules racing by the Easterby's. However, the selection is the recent C&D winner MR MERCURIAL who has kept fine form for the Northumberland-based Arts Executive Will Ramsay since reappearing behind Shantou Flyer on Morebattle Hurdle day at Kelso in February.