Racing TV Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 5m 50.5s

Bardenstown Lad^b¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Ms Emily Costello⁽⁷⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 130

11/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who won at Fakenham (3m) in March. Let down by his jumping at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals since but leading claims back in calmer waters.

Form: 25110U

Allmankind^h,t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Alex Chadwick| T: Mrs J Owen| OR: 137

10/11

Showed he's still capable of useful form over hurdles back from an absence in the autumn and won both point starts over the winter. Pulled up at Cheltenham Festival but a potential class act with his sights lowered.

Form: 33411P

Empire De Maulde^t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Andrews⁽³⁾| T: R Varnham| OR: 120

9/4

Won a couple of points for new connections prior to making a good start to his hunter career when narrowly denied at Newbury (3m, good) last month. Sure to go well if in similar form.

Form: P51122

Imperial Esprit¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell⁽⁷⁾| T: R Varnham| OR: 111

7/1

Won 2 points prior to finishing second in a C&D hunter last May. Arrives fit from some good point runs once again. Stablemate of Empire de Maulde.

Form: 126522

Solomon Grey^t²⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Am Ellie Holder⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 106

18/1

Back-to-back hunter winner in April 2022 but hasn't tasted success since. Ludlow fifth in March shows ability remains but likely vulnerable for win purposes again.

Form: 333-365

Forecasts

Allmankind (10/11), Empire De Maulde (9/4), Imperial Esprit (7/1), Bardenstown Lad (11/1), Solomon Grey (18/1)

This should place a bit less pressure on BARDENSTOWN LAD's jumping than Cheltenham or Aintree and he gets a narrow vote ahead of Allmankind and Newbury runner-up Empire de Maulde.