16:15 Ludlow

Wednesday 8 February 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1516:50

February Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 26.7s

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Selected odds by:

Bear's Affair³⁰¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: P Rowley| OR: 142

3/1

Useful handicap chaser/hurdler for Nicky Henderson. Type to do well in this sphere and one to fear, although wouldn't want ground to become too testing with best form on a decent surface.

Form: B0/2371-

Distime³⁰⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr A Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A J Loder| OR: 128

3/1

Tremendous fourth at big odds in Topham Trophy at Aintree last April for previous connections and makes debut here for new yard. Has only ever won going left-handed so today's track might not be ideal.

Form: 36034-3

Sam Cavallaro²⁶⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Joe Hill⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR: 112

16/1

In and out performer in hunter chases but did win at Cheltenham last April on good ground. Soft conditions here something of a concern however.

Form: 354F3-2

Expanding Universe²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss S L Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Bowen| OR: 84

100/1

Modest performer over hurdles and fences under rules and soon left behind on pointing debut at Barbury recently. Likely better for run but probably will be outclassed today.

Form: PF431-2

Moscow Chancer^p⁶⁸⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: A Campbell| OR: 113

33/1

First-time visor did the trick in Exeter hunter chase last time and clearly in good heart, but this looks much tougher and will probably find a few too good this afternoon.

Form: 55251/7

Pay Your Way^h⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Matthew Barber⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Rhead| OR: 100

25/1

In touch when fell at the 9th in Hereford hunter chase last week. Overall form profile leaves him with plenty to find in this decent event so may struggle.

Form: 15P54F

Daring Article^t²⁸⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Ed Glassonbury⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 125

16/1

Some decent pieces of form in Ireland a few seasons ago but nothing to write home about in recent times. Joined current yard only last week and may need more time to acclimatise on these shores.

Form: P7P-P6P

Easyondeye³¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Paul John⁽³⁾| T: Patrick Hanly| OR: 97

80/1

Very ordinary handicap chaser making hunter chase debut this afternoon for new yard. Hard to see him proving good enough to get involved at the business end of the contest.

Form: 476/U4P-

Invisible Man^t²⁶²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss A P Banks⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D Ralph| OR: 119

25/1

Fair hunter chaser who was second over C&D last March. Not out of the reckoning but does need to do better here with some useful performers in opposition.

Form: 33451-2

Lotus Pond^h1,t1¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Peter Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: W Bryan| OR: 105

40/1

Winner fo five point-to-points making his hunter chase debut this afternoon. Looks as though he might find this quite a challenge but worth noting any market interest.

Form: 1/PPP1-2

Mr Sawyer²⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Bradley Gibbs⁽³⁾| T: K Jacka

16/1

No great shakes in point-to-points but did win at Umberleigh back in June in intermediate event. This is a different task however and he should find this company a major challenge.

Form: F1P252-

Old Pride^h¹⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr James King| T: Mrs D Ralph| OR: 106

8/1

Third in a poor claiming hurdle at Worcester last August for previous yard and surely going to find this task too much for him on hunter chase bow.

Form: P-6P3F2

Persian Snow^t⁶⁵⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

5/2

Decent handicapper chaser a few season ago but not seen under rules for the last 22 months. Represents powerful yard, has experienced rider on board, and likely to be fit on his return so one to consider.

Form: 7963/11

Forecasts

Persian Snow (5/2), Bear's Affair (3/1), Distime (3/1), Old Pride (8/1), Sam Cavallaro (16/1), Daring Article (16/1), Mr Sawyer (16/1), Invisible Man (25/1), Pay Your Way (25/1), Moscow Chancer (33/1), Lotus Pond (40/1), Easyondeye (80/1), Expanding Universe (100/1)

BEAR'S AFFAIR has his first outing in this sphere and this formerly decent handicap chaser might be good enough to get off the mark at the very first time of asking this afternoon. The main danger might prove to be another formerly capable chaser in the shape of Angie Loder's Distime, an excellent fourth at Aintree in the Topham Trophy last spring. Persian Snow comes into the reckoning on his form of a couple of seasons ago but his fitness must be taken on trust, while ex-Irish Daring Article is one to keep an eye on in the betting market. 1. Bear's Affair 2. Distime 3. Persian Snow