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Hunters' Chase 2023 Racecard

4:10 Fri 17 Mar HUNTERS' CHASE

Distance: 26f 70y Age: 5yo + Prize: £50,000 Going: Gd/Sft

Analyst's Verdict

VAUCELET improved on his excellent strike rate back under Rules when beating the idling Dorking Cock at Down Royal on Boxing Day and is just about the form pick with this stiffer test sure to suit. Famous Clermont was most impressive at Haydock last month and rates the main threat ahead of last year's winner Billaway.

ENTRY
FORM
SILKS HORSE
JOCKEY & TRAINER
AGE
WGT
ODDS
1
jockey silks 1. BILLAWAY (IRE)
J: Mr P. W. Mullins
T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
11
12-0
* * * *
* * * *
Long been one of the leading lights in hunter chases and was a game winner (beat Winged Leader) of this 12 months ago having finished runner-up the previous 2 years. However, signs of decline this season, despite last month's Naas success, so probably one to take on for the win in new headgear.
2
jockey silks 2. BLACK OP (IRE)
J: Mr John Dawson
T: Mrs Emma Clark
12
12-0
* * *
* * *
Smart chaser at best, little impact in 2021/22. However, stretched unbeaten record in points to 4 since leaving Tom George (Jan 15, latest).
3
jockey silks 3. BOB AND CO (FR)
J: Miss Alice Stevens
T: Harry Derham
12
12-0
* * *
* * *
Enhanced good strike rate in this sphere in Champion Hunters at Punchestown in April 2021 but let down by jumping in last 2 renewals of this. Off 12 months. First run for yard after leaving Paul Nicholls.
4
jockey silks 4. BRAIN POWER (IRE)
J: Mr Dara McGill
T: Warren Ewing, Ireland
12
12-0
* * *
* * *
Smart hurdler/chaser for Nicky Henderson. Won 4 of last 5 completed starts in points, including latest (Jan 28) but stamina very much to prove.
5
jockey silks 5. CAT TIGER (FR)
J: Mr Charlie Sprake
T: Paul Nicholls
9
12-0
* *
* *
Useful chaser who was let down by jumping in this last year but bounced back with a good second in Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree. Well held on comeback at Ascot in November, however.
6
jockey silks 6. CHRIS'S DREAM (IRE)
J: Miss M. O'Sullivan
T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
11
12-0
* * * *
* * * *
High-class chaser at one time and has won all 3 of his starts in points (latest Jan 15). Difficult to know how much ability he retains but must be respected.
7
jockey silks 7. DANDY DAN (IRE)
J: Mr James King
T: J. Bourne
10
12-0
* *
* *
Temperamental sort for Kim Bailey who made a winning start for new yard in hunter chase over C&D 11 months ago. Not seen to best effect when 10½ lengths third to Vaucelet in similar event at Stratford following month. Dual point winner, third last time (Feb 26). Up against it.
8
jockey silks 8. DORKING COCK (IRE)
J: Mr B. G. Crawford
T: Stuart Crawford, Ireland
9
12-0
* * *
* * *
Useful hunter chaser who should have won when neck second of 8 to Vaucelet at Down Royal (24f, soft) 81 days ago, headed close home after idling markedly. Headgear back on now.
9
jockey silks 9. FAMOUS CLERMONT (FR)
J: Mr William Biddick
T: C. R. Barber
8
12-0
* * * *
* * * *
Multiple point winner and useful form in hunter chases, overcoming erratic round of jumping when winning at Wincanton (by 4 lengths from Shantou Flyer) last month. Followed up at Haydock without coming off the bridle so enters calculations.
10
jockey silks 10. GO GO GERONIMO
J: Mr Tom Chatfeild-Roberts
T: Kelly Morgan
8
12-0
* * *
* * *
Fairly useful form in pair of hunter chases for G. T. H. Bailey. Multiple point winner, by wide margin on both starts in January.
11
jockey silks 11. I K BRUNEL
J: Miss Izzie Marshall
T: Alan Hill
9
12-0
* *
* *
Fairly useful chase winner (at 23f) for Olly Murphy last season and made a successful transition to hunters (winning pointer) at Taunton. This a tough ask, however.
12
jockey silks 12. ITS ON THE LINE (IRE)
J: Mr D. O'Connor
T: Emmet Mullins, Ireland
6
12-0
* * *
* * *
Won last 2 of 6 starts in points (Feb 19, second one). Fairly useful form in hunter chases though didn't impress with head carriage when 12 lengths second of 6 to Ferns Lock at Fairyhouse (23.7f, heavy) 122 days ago. Headgear now applied.
13
jockey silks 13. LE MALIN (FR)
J: Mr N. McParlan
T: Sean McParlan, Ireland
9
12-0
* * *
* * *
Three-time hurdle winner (for Francois Nicolle) and successful on last of 4 starts in points (Feb 26). Fairly useful form in chases, ½-length second of 5 to Billaway in hunter at Naas in February.
14
jockey silks 14. MIGHTY STOWAWAY (IRE)
J: Mr Ben Sutton
T: Alan Hill
12
12-0
* *
* *
Multiple point winner who ran a cracker when third in this last year for Gordon Elliott. However, well beaten for this yard here in April and in a point when last seen on New Year's Eve.
15
jockey silks 15. MORATORIUM (IRE)
J: Mr Martin McIntyre
T: M. Osborne
10
12-0
*
*
Failed to take to chasing for Gordon Elliott but fairly useful form in hunters for this yard and has done well in points. This surely too demanding, however.
16
jockey silks 16. MYTH BUSTER (IRE)
J: Miss Lily Bradstock
T: Mrs Sara V. Bradstock
10
12-0
* *
* *
One-time useful chaser (for Henry de Bromhead) and easy winner of a Musselburgh hunter 13 months ago. Well held in Foxhunters' at Aintree since but was wide-margin winner of a point last month.
17
jockey silks 17. NOT THAT FUISSE (FR)
J: Mr Jack Andrews
T: Dan Skelton
10
12-0
* * *
* * *
Useful chaser who completed his hat-trick in 5-runner hunter chase at Fakenham in April. Smooth winner at Wetherby on return last month before left with too much to do at Taunton. Could outrun his odds.
18
jockey silks 18. PREMIER MAGIC (IRE)
J: Mr Bradley Gibbs
T: Bradley Gibbs
10
12-0
* *
* *
Multiple point winner, including last time (Feb 5). Fairly useful form in hunter chases but produced a tame effort in this last year.
19
jockey silks 19. ROCKY'S HOWYA (IRE)
J: Mr M. C. O'Donovan
T: Declan Queally, Ireland
7
12-0
* * *
* * *
Just a fair maiden under Rules but easy winner all 5 starts in points (latest Feb 5). Capable of much better back under Rules and one to note.
20
jockey silks 20. SECRET INVESTOR
J: Miss Natalie Parker
T: Paul Nicholls
11
12-0
* * *
* * *
Just useful nowadays but had little trouble landing the odds in 5-runner hunter chases at Bangor and Kelso last month. More needed in new headgear here but not taken lightly.
21
jockey silks 21. SHANTOU FLYER (IRE)
J: Miss Olive Nicholls
T: S. Loxton
13
12-0
* * *
* * *
Has run some excellent races at this meeting over the years, including when twice placed in this event. Still retains plenty of ability but had no answer to Famous Clermont in hunter at Wincanton (25.1f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Failed to complete in point more recently.
22
jockey silks 22. THE STORYTELLER (IRE)
J: Mr J. J. Codd
T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland
12
12-0
* * *
* * *
Very smart hurdler/high-class chaser at best. Let down by jumping when 26¾ lengths seventh of 8 to Vaucelet in hunter at Down Royal in December. Won first 3 starts in points, runner-up last time (Feb 12).
23
jockey silks 23. VAUCELET (FR)
J: Mr B. O'Neill
T: David Christie, Ireland
8
12-0
* * * * *
* * * * *
Won 3 of last 4 starts in points and pushed Billaway close in Champion Hunter at Punchestown in April. Enhanced excellent strike rate back under Rules in hunter chase at Down Royal (24f) 81 days ago, winning by neck from the idling Dorking Cock. Stiffer test here will suit and high on shortlist.
24
jockey silks 24. WOTZIZNAME (IRE)
J: Miss Megan Bevan
T: Mrs Diane Ward
13
12-0
*
*
Useful hurdler/chaser at his peak but offered little on his return and last of 6 finishers in a point last time (Feb 26).

Betting Forecast : 4/1 4 VAUCELET, 8/1 8 FAMOUS CLERMONT, 9/1 9 BILLAWAY, 11/1 11 CHRIS's DREAM, 16/1 16 SECRET INVESTOR, 20/1 20 BOB AND CO, 20/1 20 ROCKY's HOWYA, 22/1 22 THE STORYTELLER, 22/1 22 DORKING COCK, 28/1 28 ITS ON THE LINE, 33/1 33 BRAIN POWER, 33/1 33 BLACK OP, 33/1 33 CAT TIGER, 33/1 33 LE MALIN, 40/1 40 SHANTOU FLYER, 40/1 40 PREMIER MAGIC, 40/1 40 GO GO GERONIMO, 50/1 50 NOT THAT FUISSE, 50/1 50 I K BRUNEL, 66/1 66 DANDY DAN, 80/1 80 MIGHTY STOWAWAY, 80/1 80 MYTH BUSTER, 100/1 100 MORATORIUM, 200/1 200 WOTZIZNAME

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NEXT RACE SMART STATS

2 Sir Mark Prescott Bt's number of winners in past 4 runnings. (saddles TROOPER BISDEE)
25% Sir Mark Prescott Bt's strike rate with horses running over 10f+ (saddles TROOPER BISDEE)
24% Sir Mark Prescott Bt's strike rate in mid season (saddles TROOPER BISDEE)
;