Acol Bridge Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 39.60s

Dieu Vivant^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr Ed Glassonbury⁽³⁾| T: J Guerriero| OR: 120

16/1

Comfortably held (22-length behind them) by both Monbeg Gold and O Ceallaigh over C&D last time out. Has failed to make an impact in four starts since arriving on these shores for this stable. Remains best watched.

Form: 460-6U4

Monbeg Gold^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr Anthony O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J O'Neill| OR: 130| BF| D

1/1

Just failed to make a winning return to action (sent off 11-10f) when runner-up over C&D at the start of the month. Holds O Ceallaigh on that evidence, and should make amends in this slightly weaker affair.

Form: 7/411-U2

Optimised³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley| OR: 132| D

6/4

Would have solid claims on the strength of his form when runner-up to Southfield Theatre in this grade at Cheltenham (4m; good to soft) last year. Disappointed on both starts in the point-to-point sphere during the Winter though so is risky.

Form: 111-242

Munsaab²⁷⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Thomas Greenwood⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss C E Dean| OR: 108

50/1

Not seen since finishing a distant second to Carter McKay at Cartmel (3m1f; soft) in May. Now makes seasonal return after a 274-day absence, and at the age of 14 he is likely to need the run.

Form: 437/6P-2

O Ceallaigh¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Harrison Beswick| T: G Hanmer| OR: 117| BF

7/1

Posted an encouraging comeback run when third over C&D (just behind Monbeg Gold) at the start of the month. Going well prior to unseating his rider two out at Leicester (2m6f; heavy). Thereabouts if none the worse.

Form: 260/6-3U

Skyhill Allstar⁴⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁷⁾| T: Simon Edwards| D

50/1

Was well-beaten before being pulled-up in a point-to-point at Larkhill (3m; good) in December 2018. Not seen since, so has masses to prove on return given his 452-day absence and the fact he was tailed off on only start in this grade.

Form: 11/431P-

Forecasts

Monbeg Gold (1/1), Optimised (6/4), O Ceallaigh (7/1), Dieu Vivant (16/1), Munsaab (50/1), Skyhill Allstar (50/1)

If able to bounce back from a poor pair of recent displays in the point-to-point sphere, then Optimised would have solid enough claims on the strength of his form last season including a second in this grade at Cheltenham. However, he has proved expensive to follow so is opposed as this looks to be fought out between recent C&D rivals MONBEG GOLD and O Ceallaigh. The former is taken to confirm the placings with the latter given he is 13lb clear of that rival on official ratings, yet is effectively only giving him 1lb with his riders claim taken into account. He may have needed the run when finishing in front of him when the pair met at the start of the month.