16:35 Doncaster

Wednesday 24 February 2021

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:05

Virgin Bet Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 6m 45.42s

Captain Cattistock^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 136| D

9/4

Useful winning chaser. 3/1, first run since leaving Paul Nicholls when respectable third of 16 in hunter chase at Wincanton (25.1f, heavy) 20 days ago. Should build on that, so boasts solid claims.

Form: 7234U-3

Law Of Gold³⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D Kemp| OR: 123

10/3

Prolific winning pointer who hit the ground running when landing a hunter in May 2019. Found the Foxhunter at Cheltenham a bit too competitive, but remains with potential back from 11 months off.

Form: 1/11117-

Monbeg Gold²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J O'Neill| OR: 125

18/1

Promising start in hunters when second at Ludlow in February 2020 but unseated next time and returned from 11 months off with tame display at Warwick. Claims if he can bounce back.

Form: 11/U2U-P

Big Casino⁸⁰

Age: 15| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: Miss E Alvis| OR: 115

50/1

Fairly useful handicap chaser at best for left Nigel Twiston-Davies. Point winner, unseated in December on latest outing. Bit to find.

Form: 2U3P-1U

Different Gravey⁸⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: P Gundry| OR: 127

17/2

One-time classy operator for Nicky Henderson but Rules form for this stable (back in 2017) is uninspiring. Has done well in points since, so not a forlorn hope trying hunters for the first time.

Form: U7111/3

Jenkins⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Miss H M Mcmahon| OR: 123

40/1

Useful hurdler at his best but became temperamental and well beaten all 3 starts upon joining Charlie Longsdon last winter. Unseated on hunter debut at Catterick 8 days ago.

Form: 7/P0P0-U

Joe Farrell⁴⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 132

11/2

Useful chaser at his peak (won 2018 Scottish National) but has looked out of sorts this season, so switches to hunters with a bit to prove.

Form: 73-6P6P

Sambremont^p,t³⁶⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: C Robinson| OR: 123

200/1

Useful chaser at best, often let down by jumping and he failed to complete on each of his last 2 starts between the Flags latterly in March 2020.

Form: 4/34PPF-

Silsol^b,t⁸⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: W Biddick| OR: 136| BF| D

3/1

Smart hurdler who had jumping issues over fences for Paul Nicholls in 2018 but has made a positive start for his current stable in points. Has the ability to get involved.

Form: 5U40/1-3

Top Honcho^p1³⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: L Bevin

500/1

€5,000 3-y-o, £3,000 5-y-o, Pushkin gelding. Half-brother to bumper winner/useful hurdler Most Peculiar, stayed 2½m. Placed once from 5 starts in points, pulled up last time (Feb 2020). Hard to fancy.

Form: 6P/3PP-

Wykham⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: R Waley-Cohen

28/1

Shirocco gelding. Half-brother to bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler Free Thinking and bumper winner Tell It To Me. Runner-up once from 4 starts in points, unplaced last time (Dec 12).

Form: 42-45

Non-Runners

Mustmeetalady³⁷¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 11

T: R J Garritty J: Jamie Hamilton

Absainte³⁵⁷

Weight: 10-9| Age: 9

T: R Tate J: Philip Armson

Forecasts

Captain Cattistock (9/4), Silsol (3/1), Law Of Gold (10/3), Joe Farrell (11/2), Different Gravey (17/2), Monbeg Gold (18/1), Mustmeetalady (20/1), Absainte (25/1), Wykham (28/1), Jenkins (40/1), Big Casino (50/1), Sambremont (200/1), Top Honcho (500/1)

CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK showed he retains a good deal of ability when third on debut for Fergal O'Brien at Wincanton recently and, with a fitness edge over plenty, he gets the nod to open his account for his new stable. Silsol was a classy type for Paul Nicholls and has scored in points for Will Biddick, so he's considered along with Law of Gold, who is open to improvement if fully tuned up.