19:30 Cheltenham

Friday 2 May 2025

All16:3517:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:05

Brooklands Watches Golden Miller Chronograph Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 19:30 | Winning time: 8m 34.32s

Here Comes McCoy^t⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Robbie David⁽³⁾| T: Miss Liberty Stone| OR: 128

17/2

Pretty useful sort who made a promising return when second of 9 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) in December. Pulled up at Lingfield in January (final start for Olly Murphy) but major player if bouncing back to his best for new connections.

Form: 3113/2P-

D'jango^t¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr F Philipson-Stow⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 115

11/1

Third in this race 12 months ago. Been a bit of a mixed bag since but should find this easier than the Foxhunter at the Festival and he was second in a point a fortnight ago.

Form: P55402-

Doctor Foley²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Am Ellie Holder⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ward-Thomas| OR: 89

150/1

Modest handicap chase winner but pulled up in 2 points for current connections. Outsider.

Form: 3/126PP-

Drop Flight^b1¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr Ben Sutton| T: S Loxton| OR: 104

125/1

Landed 5-runner hunter at Exeter last March but has pulled up on his last 3 outings under Rules. Did get round in a point a fortnight ago but he was a well-held last of 3 finishers. Blinkers worn then are retained.

Form: 37PPP3-

Jeffery's Cross⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr Sean P O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

11/4

Made a winning hunter debut for his leading yard at Ludlow (3m, good) 9 days ago. Shapes as if he'll stay long distances and looks sure to figure if coping with the quick turnaround.

Form: 12/3P41-

Amrons Sage⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mrs Izzie Hill⁽⁵⁾| T: A Hill| OR: 118| D

25/1

A fairly useful winner at 21f over hurdles but failed to build on a promising chase debut for Nicky Henderson in 2024. Has been in reasonable form in the pointing field for this yard lately but it's still probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: P77313-

Assassins Lullaby¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Jack Stenhouse⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ackner

150/1

Dual point winner but distant third of 4 on Exeter hunter debut last month. Third in a point since but hard to fancy back under Rules.

Form: UP3233-

Au Fleuron^v1⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Aimee Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: M Comley| OR: 115

66/1

Tailed off in the Foxhunter at the Festival in March on his first outing for this yard. This is a bit easier but can still only watch.

Form: 7153P0-

Blagthebookies^b1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mrs Iola Sankey⁽⁷⁾| T: N Gittins| OR: 72

22/1

Poor form under Rules but has won a pair of points in blinkers this spring ahead of this hunter debut.

Form: 5P5211-

Didero Vallis^b²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Daniel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: O Nicholls| OR: 105

33/1

Useful at best for Venetia Williams. Reached the frame in 2 hunters for this yard earlier in the year (better effort when third first occasion) and also won a point last year. Capable if in the mood.

Form: P23421-

Frontal Assault^b,t1¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Henry Bailey⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Miss P Wynne| OR: 135

22/1

Useful chaser for Gordon Elliott. Only sixth on Bangor hunter debut for new yard in February but runner-up 3 times in points since.

Form: 006222-

Go Go Geronimo^t,p²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr T Chatfeild-Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 108

6/1

Prolific points winner who has been runner-up 3 times in hunters. Never involved in the Aintree Foxhunter last time but this is more realistic.

Form: 212220-

Hung Jury^p⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Jack Wilmot⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley

20/1

Multiple winning pointer. No impact in a pair of maiden hurdles for Martin Keighley this spring but may find this increased stamina test more to his liking on hunter debut.

Form: 349556-

Law Of Gold^v1,t1²⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Peters⁽³⁾| T: D Kemp| OR: 128| CD

9/2

Second in this in 2022 before winning in 2023. Pulled up 12 months ago but a recent point success suggests but he could go well in this again.

Form: P52P21-

Myth Buster^t1,p²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss L Bradstock⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss L A N Bradstock| OR: 118| BF| D

28/1

This one-time useful chaser is still a force in points but seen rarely under Rules in recent years.

Form: 3/14142-

Norton Hill^t,p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr William Biddick| T: H Ryall| OR: 118

13/2

Bumper/ dual hurdle winner under Rules. Winner of 2 points in March and interesting with Will Biddick up for hunter debut.

Form: 4/38311-

Red Maple^v1,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Cian Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: N R Wright| OR: 91

15/2

Just poor form under Rules earlier in his career. Has won 2 points lately but others still preferred.

Form: 24/2311-

Viva Lavilla^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Molly Legg⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ward-Thomas| OR: 110

125/1

Fairly useful hurdler for Dan Skelton. Has won a point for current connections but pulled up on his Wincanton hunter debut in January.

Form: 3/3P1P6-

Non-Runners

Dusart¹⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: Miss Kelly Morgan J: Non Runner

Rock Of Star¹⁹⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: David Bingham J: Mr H Crow

Forecasts

Jeffery's Cross (11/4), Dusart (4/1), Law Of Gold (9/2), Go Go Geronimo (6/1), Norton Hill (13/2), Red Maple (15/2), Here Comes McCoy (17/2), D'jango (11/1), Hung Jury (20/1), Rock Of Star (20/1), Frontal Assault (22/1), Blagthebookies (22/1), Amrons Sage (25/1), Myth Buster (28/1), Didero Vallis (33/1), Au Fleuron (66/1), Viva Lavilla (125/1), Drop Flight (125/1), Assassins Lullaby (150/1), Doctor Foley (150/1)

HERE COMES MCCOY has been given a bit of time since pulling up at Lingfield in January on his final start for Olly Murphy. His chase form prior to that had been progressive and he's taken to bounce back with a bang and deny Law of Gold a second win in this race. Jeffery's Cross, a recent Ludlow winner, and Norton Hill complete the shortlist.