Jumping For Fun Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 6m 22.80s

Bennys King^p²⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

8/1

Reinvigorated by a switch to hunters and fitting of cheekpieces last term, winning at Hereford and Fakenham prior to finishing second in the Aintree Foxhunter. Pulled up in handicap chases on first 2 starts of this season but placed back in hunter company the last twice and he merits respect.

Form: 12-PP32

Cat Tiger²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: S Loxton| OR: 134| BF| CD

10/3

Useful chaser at his best for Paul Nicholls, winner of this in 2021 and found just one too good in the 2022 Aintree Foxhunters'. Limited to just 5 starts since and blotted his copybook when running out on debut for this yard at Hereford last month following a short stint in France.

Form: 2/5P-35R

Espoir De Teillee^p,t²³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-4| J: Fern O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 125| CD

9/2

Smart handicap chaser on his day and bolted up when making all in this last year. Also successful at Kempton last season and, having showcased his wellbeing with a point win earlier this month, he has to be taken seriously.

Form: U121-31

Gallyhill³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Tom Hutsby⁽⁷⁾| T: F Hutsby| OR: 127

22/1

Winner of Down Royal maiden chase for Gordon Elliott in May 2022 but ended time with that yard on a downer and he didn't show enough in a point last month to make him of serious interest on this hunter debut.

Form: 2P25-74

Percussion^p,t⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr James King| T: L Morgan| OR: 129

11/8

Three-time chase winner who goes well over the Aintree National fences, placed in the Grand Sefton and Becher Chases this season. Didn't fully see things out under an aggressive ride upped to 29.2f at Warwick (soft) and he's of strong interest back down in trip on this hunter debut.

Form: 53P-235

Hardline³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Josh Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 137

11/1

Winless under Rules since landing a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick back in 2018 but has scored 3 times between the flags since, the latest in December. Positives to glean from his effort in a hunter at Thurles (24.6f, heavy) last month and this Irish raider is not discounted.

Form: 808-214

Shang Tang^t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Aimee Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR: 107

33/1

Fairly useful chaser who produced his best effort since joining this yard when second in a 5-runner affair at Ludlow (23.8f, soft). That was just his second start in a hunter and will probably pick up a race soon but others make more appeal here.

Form: 6-U6732

Forecasts

Percussion (11/8), Cat Tiger (10/3), Espoir De Teillee (9/2), Bennys King (8/1), Hardline (11/1), Gallyhill (22/1), Shang Tang (33/1)

PERCUSSION is of strong interest on his first start in a hunter and he is marginally preferred to last year's winner of this race, Espoir de Teillee, who should be spot-on for a repeat bid on the back of his success between the flags. Bennys King should also have a part to play, but while Cat Tiger would be a big threat if at his best, he arrives here with a bit to prove.