16:30 Leicester

Thursday 13 February 2020

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Dick Saunders Novices' Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 6m 34.4s

Magna Sam²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-4| J: Alex Edwards| T: G Slade-Jones

6/1

Won a point-to-point in January 2019, and made a winning start in hunter chases when a rather lucky winner at Ludlow last month, left clear when his two main rivals departed at the penultimate fence.

Form: 4510-21

Alfstar^t²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Joanne Priest| OR: 112

6/1

Third to a decent sort at Bangor two years ago his most recent rateable form in hunter chases, but he did gain the fifth point-to-point win of his career last month, and has solid place claims if bringing that form to the table.

Form: P/P12-P1

Asylo³²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Easterby| T: Miss C Crane| OR: 129

17/2

Runner-up in a novices' handicap chase at Market Rasen in the summer, and while he unseated his rider on his point-to-point debut last time, he's got a chance here based on his Rules efforts.

Form: 242P6U

Irish Anthem²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: J J O'Shea

17/2

Making a decidedly belated start under Rules, but has plenty of experience, winning ten of 37 starts in point-to-point sphere. Placed on all three starts this winter, and not easy to rule out despite his veteran status.

Form: 111-232

Kashmir Peak^t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: A Hill| OR: 120

9/2

Fairly useful chaser in 2016 for Dan Skelton, since when he's won five from 19 in point-to-points. Fair second to Minella Rocco on hunter debut at Warwick last time, and this is much easier on paper.

Form: 22212-2

O Ceallaigh⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien| T: G Hanmer| OR: 117

4/1

Exactly four years since latter of his brace of wins over hurdles. Patchy record since, but not discredited when third of 7 to The Dellercheckout in a hunter at Ludlow recently, and not a forlorn hope if building on that.

Form: 5260/6-3

Risk And Roll^t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Milo Herbert⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs N Sheppard| OR: 122

9/2

Runner-up over fences at Fontwell in may for Paul Nicholls, and has every chance on that form, but unconvincing overall, and looked a hard ride on his debut between the flags for new connections last month.

Form: 32-2464

Waterloo Warrior^b,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr James King| T: J Slatter| OR: 110

8/1

Started out promisingly over fences for Colin Tizzard, but his form tailed off last season. Well placed to win four of five in points for new yard, but facing a sterner test back under Rules here.

Form: P-111P1

Berboru¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Myles Osborne⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Palmer| OR: 108

40/1

Second over hurdles at Exeter for Ben Pauling early last year, but ran badly on handicap debut at Sedgefield in November. Placed in point-to-points in 2017/18, but no promise for new connections in that sphere last month.

Form: 6342-6P

Non-Runners

Five Gold Bars²⁵

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: Robert Hawker J: Mr Robert Hawker

Forecasts

O Ceallaigh (4/1), Risk And Roll (9/2), Kashmir Peak (9/2), Alfstar (6/1), Magna Sam (6/1), Waterloo Warrior (8/1), Irish Anthem (17/2), Asylo (17/2), Five Gold Bars (12/1), Berboru (40/1)

KASHMIR PEAK is one of the most exposed, but he ran well when second to Minella Rocco on his hunter chase debut at Warwick, and meets nothing of that calibre here. O Ceallaigh was third to The Dellercheckout at Ludlow recently, and has place claims on that, while Irish Anthem has been placed behind that rival in points this winter, and is a prolific winner between the flags, so is respected despite his belated start to life under Rules.