19:35 Stratford

Friday 30 May 2025

All17:5018:2519:0019:3520:1020:45

Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters' Chase (The 66th Running For the Horse and Hound Cup)

Off time: 19:35 | Winning time: 7m 10.32s

Empire De Maulde^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joshua Newman| T: R Varnham| OR: 120

7/2

Won a couple of points in February and runner-up first 2 starts in this sphere, including at this course (22.6f, good) last month. Bolted up in another point recently and he's a strong each-way candidate.

Form: 11222-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Gracchus De Balme²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Huw Edwards| T: J J O'Shea| OR: 134

15/8

Useful ex-Irish hurdler/chaser for Joseph O'Brien and right back to his best when landing the Foxhunters at Aintree last month. Tendency to hang left was no help when turned over at Cheltenham next time, but that was a decent effort nonetheless and he's the one to beat.

Form: 612P1-2

Jeffery's Cross²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Heidi Palin| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| BF

10/3

Made a winning hunter debut at Ludlow (3m, good) last month and subsequently lost little caste in defeat when a clear second upped to 32.4f at Cheltenham. Likely to be on the premises once again.

Form: 2/3P41-2

Law Of Gold^t,v²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Peters| T: D Kemp| OR: 124| CD

10/1

Good strike rate between the flags (10-24) and has won 5 of his 16 starts in this sphere. However, it's been over 2 years since last hunter success and he was around 15 lengths adrift of Jeffery's Cross when third in this headgear combination at Cheltenham.

Form: 52P21-3

Learntalot²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mrs Izzie Hill| T: A Hill| OR: 110| C| D

22/1

Fair maiden hurdler for Olly Murphy who showed similar form when winning novice hunter over 22.6f here last May. Successful between the flags earlier this year and wasn't disgraced returned to this sphere at Cheltenham, but he's probably biting off more than he can chew in this company.

Form: 32/112-4

Montanna^p¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: Edward William Walker| OR: 109

80/1

Fairly useful at best for Peter Bowen back in 2021. Three-time winner in points for this yard and added a hunter to his CV when accounting for 5 rivals at Newton Abbot (25.8f, good to firm) recently, but he now has much more on his plate.

Form: 8/042-41

Pink Eyed Pedro^t³⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr James King| T: D Brace| OR: 116

12/1

Successful between the flags back from a break in March and bagged second hunter chase of his career at Chepstow (23.6f, good to firm) last month. This 14-y-o is clearly in good heart, but more will be needed if he's to follow up in this stronger race.

Form: 21/5121-

Latenightfumble²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: T Ellis| OR: 110

13/2

Winner of 5 of her last 6 starts between the flags and made it 2-3 in hunters when getting up in the shadow of the post at Cheltenham (25.3f, good) at the start of the month. This is tougher, but she certainly isn't exposed by typical 10-y-o standards and another bold show could be on the way.

Form: 11P11/1

Forecasts

Gracchus De Balme (15/8), Jeffery's Cross (10/3), Empire De Maulde (7/2), Latenightfumble (13/2), Law Of Gold (10/1), Pink Eyed Pedro (12/1), Learntalot (22/1), Montanna (80/1)

LATENIGHTFUMBLE seemingly faces an uphill task against the likes of Gracchus de Balme and Jeffery's Cross on these terms. However, she's lightly-raced under Rules and displayed plenty of mettle when getting the better of a battle with Cullin Hills at Cheltenham last time, despite refusing to settle. If more tractable here she may well find the requisite improvement to get the better of the aforementioned duo.