15:50 Warwick

Monday 20 January 2025

All12:0512:3513:0513:3514:0814:4015:1515:50

Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 15.55s

Bardenstown Lad²²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr James King| T: Mrs S Loughnane| OR: 135| D

12/1

Winner of a handicap hurdle and maiden chase for Gavin Cromwell at Kilbeggan in 2024. Won't be found wanting fitness-wise following a couple of spins between the flags last month but likely to have his work cut out here against Lord du Mesnil and Eva's Oskar, if those rivals are on-song.

Form: 611P32

Bennys King^p¹⁹

Age: 14| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

12/1

Not the force of old but has paid his way in hunters in recent seasons and was second in the Foxhunters' at Aintree in April. Has failed to complete in his last 7 handicaps, including all 3 outings this season, but a return to this company could well spark a revival. Cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 212-UPP

Lift Me Up^p1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Andrews| T: Miss M Filby| OR: 133| D

15/2

Multiple point winner who took a step forward on just his fourth start under Rules when second of 8 in hunter chase (14/1) at Stratford (27.5f, good to soft) 7 months ago. Pulled up in a point last month, he's not without each-way hope.

Form: P21-32P

Dusart^p,t1³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T Chatfeild-Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 145| D

12/1

Made up into a very smart performer during first half of 2022, winning 3 of his 4 starts. Has seemingly hard to train, making it 3 successive non-completions by running poorly when last seen at Newbury in December 2023. Switched yards since, and unseated rider sole start in points last month.

Form: 16PB/P-U

Eva's Oskar^t,v⁴⁶⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Edward Vaughan⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 134| C| D

9/2

Likeable chaser who landed a valuable Cheltenham handicap a couple of seasons back. Didn't shape badly at Chepstow on his sole appearance last term and could prove a tough nut to crack now pitched into a hunter chase if anywhere near his best following a 15-month absence.

Form: 2164U/4-

Get Bye^t1,v1³⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss A Jackson-fennell| OR: 88| D

150/1

No real impact in bumpers/over hurdles and similar story over handicap chases when last seen in 2021/22 campaign. Has since left Tom Geroge and been successful in points, finishing runner-up on last 3 starts (latest Jan 2024).

Form: 14/R222-

Jeux D'eau²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Laura Richardson| D

5/4

Failed to meet expectations on his debut under Rules when fifth of 9 in hunter chase at Cheltenham (25.2f, heavy) 8 months ago. Is a multiple winning pointer however, including 3-finisher event last month.

Form: 3111-51

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t³¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: R Hobson| OR: 138WS

11/2

Almost 4 years since he was last successful but was a smart handicap chaser at best, fourth in veterans' event at Exeter last February. Found the Ultima too competitive the following month and not seen since. Every chance he can make a winning start in this discipline (has had a wind op).

Form: 2/5264P-

Desert Fortune²⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Archie Loweth⁽⁷⁾| T: David Bingham| OR: 87| D

80/1

Didn't offer much over hurdles for Christian Williams, but this former point winner fared much better when runner-up Leicester on yard/chase debut for Venetia Williams last February. No impact both starts since and has moved yards (sold just £1,000) ahead of her return/debut in hunters.

Form: 95P/24P-

Forecasts

Jeux D'eau (5/4), Eva's Oskar (9/2), Lord Du Mesnil (11/2), Lift Me Up (15/2), Bennys King (12/1), Bardenstown Lad (12/1), Dusart (12/1), Desert Fortune (80/1), Get Bye (150/1)

A smart handicap chaser in his pomp, LORD DU MESNIL gets the nod to make a successful start in this discipline and provide owner/jockey David Maxwell with another winner at the expense of Eva's Oskar, who could prove a tough nut to crack pitched into a hunter chase if anywhere near his best following a 15-month absence (trainer/jockey combination successful in similar event at Taunton earlier in month). Lift Me Up and Bennys King can fight out minor honours.