J S Hubbuck Ltd. Agricultural Merchants Maiden Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 6m 43.12s

Ask To Dance^p1,t1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Easterby| T: W Easterby| C| D

3/1

Ask gelding. Dam unraced. Won 4 times in points, most recently Apr 3. Wears cheekpieces. In good hands and looks an obvious player on Rules debut.

Form: P5U111-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Blazing Tom³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Barker| OR: 75| D

3/1

Prolific pointer (unbeaten in last 9), so deserves respect for all the case based on his Rules form isn't all that compelling.

Form: 111111-

Matts Commission^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: J Teal| CD

9/4

Runner-up in this last year and has looked as good as ever (won his last two starts) in points recently, so a bold showing is on the cards.

Form: P1/2211-

Snow Castle¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Lyall Hodgins⁽⁷⁾| T: Guy Brewer| OR: 102| D

9/1

Fair form under Rules and, while pulled up in when last seen in this sphere, he was back to form when easily landing a point recently. Not discounted.

Form: 3/P653-1

Tom Cody^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr John Dawson| T: Mrs C Coward| D

9/2

Didn't offer much in two outings under Rules last year but has won his last 4 starts in points and arrives on the up, so looks a serious player.

Form: 2P1111-

Worcester Pearmain¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss J Walton| T: R Dobbin| OR: 76| CD

66/1

Rules form is uninspiring and only fourth in a point last time. Hard to make a strong case for.

Form: 454334-

Non-Runners

Dee Lane²¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: G Hanmer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Matts Commission (9/4), Blazing Tom (3/1), Ask To Dance (3/1), Tom Cody (9/2), Snow Castle (9/1), Dee Lane (25/1), Worcester Pearmain (66/1)

ASK TO DANCE and Tom Cody have been making hay in points and as 6-y-os, probably have even more to offer, so they're taken against the field in what strikes as a competitive race for a maiden hunter. Last year's second Matts Commission is also considered and Blazing Tom, who is unbeaten in his last 9 outings between the flags, can't be ruled out.