Robert Hoare Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 6m 50.63s

Buck Dancing^t⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss J I Bedi⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss J Bedi| OR: 112| D

16/1

Excellent record in point-to-points where he has only lost once (finished second) in seven outings; record more sketchy under Rules but did win at Perth three starts ago; should go well and one to consider.

Form: 211155

Chapelier¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: J Whyte| OR: 98| D

40/1

Rattled off four-timer between the flags last spring; pulled up at Cheltenham May in hot hunters event then fourth at Stratford four weeks later; unseated on seasonal reappearance here in February; not without a chance but others preferred.

Form: 11-P4U3

Full Irish^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Phelan| OR: 115| D

5/2

Formerly decent handicap chaser at up to 3m for Emma Lavelle. Regressive form last spring before being sent pointing; pulled up here last time and something to prove currently.

Form: 733-3P1

Ozzy Thomas⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Sgt Nick Oliver⁽⁷⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 130| D

4/5

Back in the groove over hurdles last two starts, runner-up at both Cheltenham and Wetherby in competitive handicaps; reverts to fences today and will appreciate any drying of the ground as best form has come on a sound surface;

Form: 2655-22

The Tourard Man⁶¹⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 135| D

4/1

Veteran whose best days may be behind him; not seen a racecourse since July 2017; difficult to suggest he will be capable of making a mark.

Form: 10U/925-

Forecasts

Ozzy Thomas (4/5), Full Irish (5/2), The Tourard Man (4/1), Buck Dancing (16/1), Chapelier (40/1)

BUCK DANCING has to concede plenty of weight all round in the small field contest but he may prove too strong for his rivals who lack a little bit of quality. The eleven-year-old is a fantastic performer in point-to-points but has also showed ability under rules and won his first race recently at Perth. Few of the other make much appeal though it will be interesting to see how Ozzy Thomas performs making his first start in a steeplechase for a long while. Some of his old form reads well.