18:00 Cheltenham

Friday 5 May 2023

All16:5017:2518:0018:3519:1019:4520:17

KTDA Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 6m 42.75s

Bloodstone²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr George Henderson⁽⁷⁾| T: J H Henderson| OR: 110

8/1

Surpassed hurdles form when runner-up on chase debut in August 2021 on final start for Henry de Bromhead. Couple of point wins since but needs to raise his game at this level.

Form: 4F/2221-

Bobby Bow^p1²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Oliver Boyden⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss P S Topley| OR: 109

16/1

Winning Irish pointer who made a successful Rules debut over hurdles at Hexham in November 2020. Unable to add to tally since, failing to see his race out on final start for Ben Pauling in February. Last of 3 latest run between the flags.

Form: 863/253-

Fairly Famous²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: T Ellis| OR: 98

11/4

Well bred but didn't show much in 4 starts for Olly Murphy last year. Fared much better in the pointing field, winning all 4 times so he's now of interest on hunter debut.

Form: 5/51111-

Let Me Entertain U^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J J Murphy-Knight⁽⁷⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 96

16/1

Bumper/point winner who could only achieve modest form over hurdles and was pulled up on hunter debut 3 weeks ago.

Form: 1/3459P-

Marcle Ridge⁶¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Lucy Smith| OR: 120| CD

15/8

Won this in 2019 and justified support to resume winning ways in a hunter at this meeting in 2021. Bit disappointing both starts in this sphere since bur he's a prolific pointer and looks the one to beat.

Form: 41314/1-

Moratorium⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Myles Osborne⁽⁷⁾| T: M Osborne| OR: 117

9/1

Failed to take to chasing for Gordon Elliott but fairly useful form in hunters for this yard and has done well in points. Easily excused a poor run in the Festival Challenge Cup at Cheltenham but tame effort at Exeter harder to ignore. Cheekpieces off.

Form: 5321P3-

Trio For Rio^v1²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 122| CD

9/2

Has won the last 2 renewals of this, finding plenty to lead close home a year ago. Recent spin in points should ensure he's spot on for this. Visored.

Form: P/1P524-

Non-Runners

Hidden Charmer²⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 11

T: T Britten J: Miss Immy Robinson

Forecasts

Marcle Ridge (15/8), Fairly Famous (11/4), Trio For Rio (9/2), Bloodstone (8/1), Moratorium (9/1), Hidden Charmer (12/1), Let Me Entertain U (16/1), Bobby Bow (16/1)

MARCLE RIDGE can boast a superb record in points and, as a winner of this in 2019, a bold bid seems assured. Trio For Rio landed the 2021 and 2022 renewals of this and he won't go down without a fight, with Moratorium considered for all he does need to bounce back.