Hamilton Architects Hunters Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 5m 43.70s

Samurai Cracker²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J C Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: Caroline Mccaldin

6/4

Runner up in three of his last four point-to-point starts. Winner of a Limerick hunter chase in December and runner-up last time at Thurles (fell when in contention on other recent run); not to be taken lightly.

Form: 2421F2

Alpha Male^p1³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P A King⁽⁷⁾| T: P Maher| D

14/1

Relatively lightly-raced but without a win since landing a Perth hunters chase in 2018; latest point-to-point run was disappointing and while ground and trip will suit is still hard to make a strong case for; well beaten in this race last year.

Form: 008-264

Duckphil^t1²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr N Gault⁽⁷⁾| T: S Millar

125/1

Rules debut; still looking for his first point-to-point success after nine starts though has been placed on a number of occasions.; this looks tough on first view of a racecourse.

Form: 6422-02

Duty Calls^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr B Lawless⁽⁷⁾| T: Rodney Arthur

14/1

Winner of an April point-to-point before running with credit in a couple of initial bumper starts in August/September; no real show on chase debut at Naas in January. and beaten in point-to-point since.

Form: 41-4373

Like A Demon⁶⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr C W McCormack⁽⁷⁾| T: N Slevin| OR: 100

9/1

28-race maiden without success in 11 starts over fences. Pulled up on latest start at Clonmel in January and difficult to see him being in contention despite occasionally firing in point-to-point events.

Form: UU089P

Mr Cosmos^p⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P C Bannon⁽⁷⁾| T: W J McLernon

50/1

Not seen a racecourse proper since this time last season and his performances were generally poor; has been running much better in point-to-points recently and won for the first time last month; interesting.

Form: 735421

Winged Leader²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: D M Christie

1/1

Has been runner-up on his last three appearances under rules and has won his last two point-to-point contests; consistent and full of confidence; most likely winner.

Form: 2-22211

Forecasts

Winged Leader (1/1), Samurai Cracker (6/4), Like A Demon (9/1), Alpha Male (14/1), Duty Calls (14/1), Mr Cosmos (50/1), Duckphil (125/1)

WINGED LEADER rarely runs a bad race and this looks a good opportunity for him to finally get off the mark at the racecourse proper. The six-year-old has won his last two starts in point-to-points with his most recent win coming in February: If continuing his fine form he may be hard to beat. The main danger looks to be Samurai Cracker who has good racecourse experience and is another who rarely lets down his supporters in terms of effort. The form of Mr Cosmos does not spring off the page but he quietly won a point-to-point last time and is one to note in the market.