Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy Open Hunters' Chase

Age: 11| Weight: 12-6| J: Alice Stevens⁽³⁾| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 124| C

Pulled up sharply on the back of some poor jumping at Aintree in May (final start for Tom George) and he never offered much on return/hunter chase debut for present yard at Hereford 9 days ago. Cheekpieces added to refitted tongue tie now.

Form: 330P-PP

Homme D'Un Soir^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-6| J: Mrs A Cox⁽⁷⁾| T: Francesca Poste| OR: 125

Dual hurdles winner who impressed when landing Roscommon maiden on chase bow last summer (final start for Stuart Crawford). Third on completed starts in points for present stable last month but he still needs to prove himself at this trip on hunter chase debut.

Form: 38-61U3

I K Brunel⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: Mrs Izzie Hill⁽⁷⁾| T: A Hill| OR: 127| D

Fairly useful chase winner (at 23f) for Olly Murphy last season and perfect start for new yard when scoring between the flags in November. Rates one of the likelier types and he's shortlisted.

Form: 7/3156-1

Crypto³³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Miss Lucy Turner| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115| BF

Bumper winner who has been very lightly raced since opening chase account for present yard at Carlisle (21f) back in spring 2021. Clearly not himself when pulled up at Huntingdon (19.8f) 11 months ago but no surprise to see a better showing on return/hunter debut.

Form: 431/35P-

Hidden Charmer^t⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Immy Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: T Britten| OR: 108| C| D

Fair chaser who, on back of success in points ran well to finish third at Cheltenham (25.2f) in April. Not in same form at Worcester a month later and whilst not disgraced in couple of spins between the flags in December others rate stronger.

Form: P1-3543

Ofalltheginjoints³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: A B Leyshon| OR: 119| D

Proved more miss than hit over fences for the Tizzards last year (pulled up at Southwell in May) and he failed to complete on yard debut between the Flags on New Year's Day. Others make more appeal on balance.

Form: P2P3-PP

Miss Seagreen⁷³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Lucy Smith| OR: 100| D

Multiple point winner who showed fair form at best under Rules back in 2021, including when third in a C&D hunter. Arrives here on back of finishing third in points behind re-opposing I K Brunel in November but a minor role may be her best hope again.

Form: 3213-P3

Forecasts

I K Brunel (11/10), Homme D'Un Soir (4/1), Crypto (11/2), Espoir De Teillee (8/1), Ofalltheginjoints (8/1), Hidden Charmer (16/1), Miss Seagreen (25/1)

Most have something to prove but I K BRUNEL arrives having got off the mark at the first attempt for his new yard between the flags in November and he looks the one to side with now going hunter chasing. The returning Crypto is also worth a look, especially if strong in the betting, with Homme d'Un Soir another who could figure.