Jonathan Neesom Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 18:21 | Winning time: 6m 54.95s

Gracchus De Balme²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr James King| T: J J O'Shea| OR: 134

9/4

Useful ex-Irish hurdler/chaser for Joseph O'Brien, showed tendency to hang left as a hunter. Second in hunter chase at Haydock in February behind My Drogo. Pulled-up at Leicester 10 days on but right back to his best when landing the Foxhunters at Aintree last month. Leading contender on form.

Form: 0612P1-

Joy Of Life^p³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: Mrs Hannah Hickman-Jones| OR: 97

28/1

Fair chaser at best for Seamus Neville but lost his form for that yard last season. Won a 3m Point for current connections back in February but will need to find plenty of improvement on his return to Rules.

Form: 60/2132-

Macklin⁴⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr William Biddick| T: W Biddick| OR: 122

7/2

Successful on his only start over fences in France for Francois Nicolle and made a winning start to life in hunters when landing a 10-runner event at Taunton (23f) on debut for Will Biddick. Won a couple of Points under this jockey since but will need a career-best back under Rules.

Form: 111/221-

Montanna^p⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Joshua Newman| T: Edward William Walker| OR: 114

33/1

Fairly useful at best for Peter Bowen back in 2021. Made a winning return as a Pointer for this yard in 2023 but was well beaten on his latest run in a hunter chase at Chepstow last April. Others have stronger claims.

Form: 1F8/042-

Music Drive^t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 127

1/1

Fairly useful in bumpers and bright start over hurdles in 2022 for Gordon Elliott. Overcame a near 3-year absence to win a pair of points for this yard prior to a very encouraging fourth over this C&D at the Festival. Lightly-raced for his age and warrants plenty of respect.

Form: 329/114-

Forecasts

Music Drive (1/1), Gracchus De Balme (9/4), Macklin (7/2), Joy Of Life (28/1), Montanna (33/1)

Formerly a fairly useful staying hurdler for Gordon Elliott, MUSIC DRIVE shaped with plenty of encouragement when fourth on his first start in a hunter chase at the Festival last month. He's taken to build on that effort and get the better of Foxhunters' winner Gracchus de Balme who should make another bold bid. Macklin is respected back under Rules representing a jockey/trainer who has few equals in this sphere.