16:50 Naas

Saturday 8 February 2025

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

QuinnBet Hunters Chase

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 7m 7.10s

Annamix²⁵³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr M N Sharpe⁽⁷⁾| T: S G Carey| OR: 139| D

40/1

Not the most reliable jumper but scored at Gowran prior to an excellent third in the Foxhunters' at Aintree last term. Just third at Stratford when last seen and has left Willie Mullins. Veteran who probably needs some to misfire to take this.

Form: P/1P13-6

Arverne²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J R Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 102

66/1

Fair chaser. Very good third of 6 in hunter chase at Thurles (25.1f, good, 7/1) 20 days ago. This is much tougher.

Form: 144-253

Balkito⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr P J O'Neill⁽⁷⁾| T: John F O'Neill| OR: 116| D

250/1

One-time fairly useful chaser. Left G. Ahern, little encouragement so far this term (including over hurdles/in points).

Form: 459065

Big Interest^t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: D M Christie

3/1

£60,000 point winner who created a very good impression on chasing debut when taking 12-runner hunter at Down Royal (24f, good to soft, 6/1) 44 days ago by 4¾ lengths from Its On The Line, comfortably. Sure to progress.

Form: 41-1

Its On The Line⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: E Mullins| OR: 137| BF| CD

4/7

Dual winner of the Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown. 10/11, respectable 4¾ lengths second of 12 to Big Interest at Down Royal (24f, good to soft) 44 days ago, caught further back than ideal. Successful in this race last year, and remains the one to beat in this sphere.

Form: 11211-2

King Alex^p1²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J Ahern⁽⁷⁾| T: G Ahern| OR: 127

66/1

Fairly useful chaser and winning pointer, third last 2 starts (latest Jan 12). Work to do here.

Form: 2331-33

Lonesome Boatman²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Allen⁽⁷⁾| T: Sean Allen| BF

12/1

Useful chaser. 5/2, running below form when fell heavily in hunter chase at Clonmel (20f, soft) 24 days ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 1113-3F

Ontheropes²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr C Mullins⁽⁷⁾| T: T Mullins| OR: 137

12/1

Smart handicap chaser at best, won a point 20 days ago. Could be vulnerable on first crack in a hunter.

Form: 758-0F1

Ryehill⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr L P Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R O'Sullivan

6/1

Winner in chase at Cork in April. 29¼ lengths fourth of 14 to Its On The Line in hunter chase at Punchestown (24.7f, soft, 22/1) in May. Second to useful Angels Dawn in point on recent comeback. One to note.

Form: 21214-2

Forecasts

Its On The Line (4/7), Big Interest (3/1), Ryehill (6/1), Ontheropes (12/1), Lonesome Boatman (12/1), Annamix (40/1), Arverne (66/1), King Alex (66/1), Balkito (250/1)

A couple of the main fancies for the Cheltenham hunter do battle and ITS ON THE LINE can gain revenge on Big Interest from their Down Royal meeting. David Christie's charge is very promising and won't go down easily, while Ryehill has solid place claims.