125 Years Of Bruce Farms 'Grassroots' Hunters' Chase

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Miss Ellie Callwood⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 121| D

Fairly useful chaser at best for Henry de Bromhead. Making second start under Rules for current yard, returned to winning ways with a 7-length success in 6-runner hunter chase at Ludlow 3 weeks ago. The one to beat.

Form: 7423U1-

Deerstalker³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Isobel Mactaggart⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs K Mactaggart| OR: 103| D

14/1

Fair maiden under Rules when previously trained by Ben Pauling. Finished last of 4 in this race last year, but arrives having won back-to-back points this spring (beat sole other finisher last time).

Form: 446211-

Foxinthebox^b1¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Amy Milburn⁽⁷⁾| T: Ross Wilson| OR: 100| D

16/1

Fair winner over hurdles for Olly Murphy but finished down the field only chase start back in summer 2024. Has won on his last 2 outings in points for this yard, the latest by 30 lengths albeit in a weak 3-runner race last month.

Form: P24511-

Phantoms Cave^h²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr John Dawson| T: M Cregan

6/4

Took a while to get off the mark in points but successful on his last 2 completed starts. Fitted with hood for Rules debut, was beaten only by the odds-on favourite in 8-runner maiden hunter at Kelso 23 days ago. Open to improvement in this sphere.

Form: 2P1F12-

Theoldboggroad^p1²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr James Innes⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Orpwood| D

20/1

Some encouragement when third on hunter chase debut at Kelso last spring. Gained a second win over points in March, but ran poorly back under Rules when tailed off in maiden hunter at Kelso 23 days ago. Cheekpieces reached for.

Form: 325217-

Ruler Of The River^p,t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Miss Natasha Cookson⁽⁷⁾| T: T W Fife| OR: 78

66/1

Made a winning stable debut for Fergal O'Brien in handicap hurdle at Plumpton in September. However, little impact in points this spring for current yard, so looks to be up against it as she makes her first chase start.

Form: P3P74-3

Forecasts

Potters Party (8/15), Phantoms Cave (4/1), Deerstalker (8/1), Foxinthebox (10/1), Theoldboggroad (20/1), Ruler Of The River (33/1)

POTTERS PARTY showed that he's still capable of fair form when comfortably winning a hunter chase at Ludlow last month and he looks to hold leading claims in his follow-up bid. The biggest threat could come from Phantoms Cave, who bumped into a good prospect when second on his recent Rules debut.