Like Racing TV On Facebook 'Grassroots' Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 39.70s

Virak^p²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss N Parker⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Loxton| OR: 127| D

1/2

Carries a penalty for an easy victory at Wincanton in January but has enough ability to cope with the burden at this level. He's won six times in point-to-points since leaving Paul Nichols to join his current yard and can continue to pay his way.

Form: 11-3211

Abbeyview^t1³¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Laura Fenwick⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Fenwick| OR: 104| D

50/1

Finished an 8L second in a veterans race at Friars Haugh last month, which was something of a return to form. However, this is a lot tougher and he needs to up his game considerably this time.

Form: 1-13642

Eco Warrior³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Nick Orpwood⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Orpwood| OR: 96| D

40/1

Form in point-to-points has been impeccable of late and he's been a popular horse to follow. However, this is a much stiffer challenge and his previous form over regulation fences was nothing out of the ordinary. May find at least one too good.

Form: F/3111-1

Lord Scoundrel^p,t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 140| D

2/1

One-time Galway Plate winner when with Gordon Elliot but found life tough in high-class handicaps after that success. Back to winning way on his point-to-point debut earlier this month and can go close again if this hasn't come around too quickly.

Form: UP0/47-1

Nine Altars²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss C Dun⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs E Dun| OR: 110| D

16/1

Respectable form in point-to-points but hasn't won for quite some time and was well held back at this level here earlier in the month. Never yet won over regulation fences and needs a lot to go his way for him to alter that statistic.

Form: 523324

Son Of Suzie³¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Amie Waugh| T: Miss A Waugh| OR: 111| D

25/1

Beat Nine Alters by ½l in a point-to-point at Friars Haugh last month and respected on that effort alone. He has won over fences (at Uttoxeter in June 2016) and handles a bit of give underfoot. Can make the running and dangerous to underestimate.

Form: 34-3811

Forecasts

Virak (1/2), Lord Scoundrel (2/1), Nine Altars (16/1), Son Of Suzie (25/1), Eco Warrior (40/1), Abbeyview (50/1)

VIRAK looks the safest option at this level and no surprise to see him defy a penalty for his Wincanton success (in a Hunters Chase) in this company. Former Galway Plate winner Lord Scoundrel was back with a bang in a point-to-point last time and will be a thorn in the side of the selection if this race doesn't come around too quickly for him (he'd been off the tack for around 18 months prior to that win). Son of Suzie can confirm for with Nine Altars and, as Eco Warrior has a bit to prove over regulation fences, he looks the best of the rest.