Betsafe Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 7m 10.05s

Band Of Blood^b,t¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr William Easterby| T: Miss C Crane| OR: 120| C

22/1

Useful chaser when he was with the Dr Richard Newland yard recording his last victory over 3m here in February 2018. Rather lost his way after that and offered little on his first outing for this yard (pulled up); plenty to do, blinkers back on.

Form: 060/49-P

Captain Cattistock^p,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| BF| D

2/5

Useful sort over hurdles/fences; running respectably this season in handicaps until running well below expectations on his hunter debut at Taunton. May have been undone by race tactics (got caught up in pace war); trip and track should suit.

Form: 31-7234

Mustmeetalady^b²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Anthony O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122| C

10/3

Unreliable sort who doesn't always convince with his jumping/attitude but made a respectable start to his life in this sphere at Taunton. No surprise to see him fail to build on that last time; hard to support with any confidence.

Form: 155433

Just A Par^b³¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁷⁾| T: J Guerriero| OR: 135| D

10/1

Smart handicap chaser when with Paul Nicholls who failed to find his form for James Moffatt in two starts over the National fences (last seen pulled up in Grand National). Beaten 15L in a point for this yard last month; should strip fitter now.

Form: 100/7P-2

Forecasts

Captain Cattistock (2/5), Mustmeetalady (10/3), Just A Par (10/1), Band Of Blood (22/1)

Just the four line-up fir this hunters chase with CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK looking to reverse Taunton form with Mustmeetalady where they finished fourth and third respectively. The selection didn’t really get the run of that race and his previous handicap form would put him well in front of this bunch. For all his foibles Mustmeetalady may well be able to take second with neither Band of Blood nor Just A Par looking likely to produce their previous best form under Rules.