William Bulwer Long Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 52.21s

Frere d'Armes²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr Dominic Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 119| C| D

13/2

Won at this course last season but has lost his way since the spring, unseating rider ninth in 9-runner hunter chase at Ludlow (33/1) last month. A place is probably the best he can hope for.

Form: 5354PU

Fix At All^p²⁸⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr T Walsh⁽⁷⁾| T: Callum Bickers-price| OR: 117

25/1

Fairly useful chaser at his best but hasn't shown much in 3 starts for this yard and returns from 10 months off with a fair bit to prove. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 80P40-P

Major Dundee^b1⁶²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr S Lee⁽⁷⁾| T: Francesca Poste| OR: 118| C| D

11/4

Winner of 2023 Midlands Grand National but largely disappointed thereafter, including when sixth in Eider Chase last February. Runner-up both starts in points for new connections and this will help reveal how much ability he retains. Blinkers replace the visor.

Form: PU/6P6-2

Stattler^t¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 142| BF

4/6

Quickly developed into a high-class novice over fences, running out a ready winner of the NH Chase in 2022. Looked set to defy a 22-month absence on hunter/yard debut only to be reeled in close home at Hereford recently but will prove a tough nut to crack in this.

Form: P624P/2

Hollywood Harmon²⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Pippa Brown⁽⁵⁾| T: A C Wilson| OR: 94| D

12/1

Multiple point winner who broke her duck under Rules in 9-runner maiden hunter chase at Cartmel (5/1) last May, responding well to positive ride to lead after last. Tough to know what to expect on return.

Form: 2211-31

Forecasts

Stattler (4/6), Major Dundee (11/4), Frere d'Armes (13/2), Hollywood Harmon (12/1), Fix At All (25/1)

STATTLER showed plenty of encouragement on his hunter debut at Hereford 18 days ago, looking in control before being reeled in close home. The former high-class chaser for W. P. Mullins is entitled to strip fitter for that run and can go one better. Major Dundee has been largely out of sorts since winning the 2023 Midlands Grand National, but he may emerge as the main threat having switched yards, with Frere d'Armes seemingly best of the rest.