18:20 Stratford

Friday 31 May 2019

All17:4518:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:50

Sheldon Bosley Knight Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 18:22 | Winning time: 4m 9.3s

Net D'Ecosse^p,t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Owen| OR: 129

5/1

Well beaten in two hunter chases this year but has been in better form between the flags since. Beat a subsequent winner by 15L on latest outing and possible recent wind surgery is yielding results.

Form: 220P2-1

Tusa Eire¹⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁷⁾| T: N B Thomson| OR: 99

25/1

Shock winner when outsider of five for a poor race at Fontwell two weeks ago. That was his first outing in four years and, whilst that was a major achievement, he needs to pull off an even bigger surprise here.

Form: 6P333/1

Witness In Court¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| C

8/1

Task made easier last time when the two market leaders failed to complete. Last four victories have come over further and others make more appeal.

Form: 3874/2-1

Llancillo Lord^h,t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 115

9/2

Followed up a point-to-point win in an eventful three-runner rules affair at Fakenham. Rider mistook the winning post last time depriving him of second when unsuited by wetter ground. Has won over 2m so worth considering if it remains dry.

Form: P/7811-3

Beau De Tabel^p1²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Quick| OR: 89

100/1

Sole win under rules came six years ago on debut and he is 0-28 in point-to-points. Easy to overlook on that evidence.

Form: 9447U-U

Bletchley Castle^t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR: 99

7/2

Tearaway front-runner who will find this trip more to his liking. In good hands with leading yard booking a top rider, but he still looks a risk unless jumping regulation fences far better than has been the case this year.

Form: 32P11-3

Boher Call^t²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Dr George Bingham⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs K Bandey| OR: 98| D

66/1

Landed a three-runner contest at Milborne St Andrew in March and was tailed off there in a more competitive event three weeks ago. Looks out of his depth here too.

Form: 4/5641-6

Bubble O'Clock^h,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Matthew Hampton⁽⁵⁾| T: M Hampton

16/1

Proved disappointing for Paul Nicholls but has taken well to his new career and has won two of his three point-to-points. Taking on better opposition here and trip may be on the sharp side.

Form: 0233-11

Downbythestrand²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr W Thirlby⁽⁷⁾| T: F Hutsby| OR: 95

28/1

Has won two 2m4f point-to-points but he looked short of pace over that trip here in March. Represents a good yard but others look stronger.

Form: 12/441-4

Mr Sawyer²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁵⁾| T: K Jacka| OR: 78

66/1

Runner-up in this (beaten 13L) in 2016. Sent off at 66/1 when pulled up on last hunter chase start and his point-to-point form this year does not indicate he has improved by much.

Form: P/PP22-3

O Maonlai^t¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Tamby Welch⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 106| BF

33/1

Rated 143 at his best but appears to have lost his way lately and he gave up too easily at Fontwell last time when behind Tusa Eire.

Form: F334-23

Red Inca¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Savage⁽³⁾| T: Con Rutledge| OR: 97

33/1

Looked held when left clear to win a Hunt Members point-to-point at Paxford before splitting Tusa Eire and O Maonlai at Fontwell two weeks ago. Will need to do better.

Form: P6431-2

Velvet Maker¹⁹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: D M Christie| OR: 116

4/1

Former top notch chaser who has fallen on hard times and has gone nearly four years without a win. Remote fifth in this last year so plenty to overcome.

Form: 8FU/350-

Village Vic²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr N Vergne⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131| D

6/1

Top-class at his prime but without a win since completing a four-timer in early 2016. Represents a top NH yard but this trip and current form are real concerns.

Form: FP0P/5-3

Non-Runners

Brave Jaq⁶⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: R Potter J: Miss S L Bowen

Forecasts

Bletchley Castle (7/2), Velvet Maker (4/1), Llancillo Lord (9/2), Net D'Ecosse (5/1), Village Vic (6/1), Brave Jaq (6/1), Witness In Court (8/1), Bubble O'Clock (16/1), Tusa Eire (25/1), Downbythestrand (28/1), Red Inca (33/1), O Maonlai (33/1), Boher Call (66/1), Mr Sawyer (66/1), Beau De Tabel (100/1)

Few of these have convincing profiles but BRAVE JAQ seems to act well here and can go one better than last year. Llancillo Lord comes into the reckoning providing conditions remain dry as will Net D'Ecosse if recent point-to-point form is an indicator he will improve on his last two starts in hunter chases.Village Vic and Velvet Maker are not the forces they were, but Bubble O'Clock has taken well to life between the flags and is less exposed than most. Witness In Court and Tusa Eire face more demanding tasks than last time, whilst Bletchley Castle will take these a long way if cutting out the errors.