Heath Farm Meats Magnus-Allcroft Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 5m 10.08s

Wagner^p,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-6| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hampton| OR: 125| D

11/10

Made it 2-2 under Rules for this yard and in hunter chases when scoring at Wincanton (20.2f) earlier this month. Fortunate though he arguably was that day, he's very much the one to beat here.

Form: 232P11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Zamparelli^b1,t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 115| CD

11/4

Well held on latest start in this sphere in January, but he bagged this prize 12 months ago and arrives here on the back of a solid effort between the flags. Now tried in blinkers and should make his presence felt.

Form: 1-F2672

Bletchley Castle^t⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR: 114| BF

5/2

Strike rate is nothing special, but this veteran is pretty consistent on the whole and was runner-up three times on the bounce here last spring, including in this corresponding race. Likely to give a good account with conditions to suit.

Form: 2-3P423

Jethro Said⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: S Hosie

50/1

Well held in a bumper at Exeter on debut/sole start for Harriet Brown last month. Hard to warm to now switched to this sphere.

Form: 8

Lucky Lara^p1,t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Peter Summers⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 96| BF

12/1

Unexposed as a chaser and, having been sent off at evens, was yet to be asked for her effort when unseating (thirteenth) in a hunter at Catterick last time. Remains something of an unknown quantity. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 558-48U

Non-Runners

Pointed And Sharp⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: M Hoskins J: Mr D Edwards

Forecasts

Wagner (11/10), Bletchley Castle (5/2), Zamparelli (11/4), Lucky Lara (12/1), Pointed And Sharp (25/1), Jethro Said (50/1)

Last year's winner ZAMPARELLI is a viable alternative to probable favourite Wagner. The 10-y-o failed to fire on his latest start in this sphere in January, but subsequently warmed up for this with a good effort between the flags (second to the formerly smart hurdler/chaser and now prolific pointer Southfield Theatre) and he comes into his own during the spring. Bletchley Castle also warrants respect.