Nicol & Fielding Mechanical Services Ltd Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 4m 14.9s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Delta Borget^p¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss V Wade⁽⁵⁾| T: L Jefford| OR: 114

2/1

Has won his share over the years and took this event two years ago. Handles soft/heavy and has performed with credit behind the useful Monsieur Gibraltar last two outings, and may well try to make all here. Has a chance.

Form: 454223-

Boygojumping¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: Martin Peaty

7/2

Did win a Restricted point-to-point at Black Forest Lodge last November, but there's nothing form-wise to suggest he can shake the principals up here. Trip may be on the short side as well.

Form: 4P361-4

Court In Session^t¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Ms Annabel Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A Brook| OR: 95

25/1

Useful enough for Martin Keighley once upon a time, but looks rather more limited these days and has ground to make up with Delta Borget on last run. Heavy/soft ground would be far from ideal either.

Form: 843556-

Darwins Fox^t⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: D M Christie| OR: 141

13/8

Capable of quality form around this trip for Henry De Bromhead at his peak, and showed there's still fire there when third to useful Top Cat Henry on latest start. Ideally wants better ground than he's likely to get today, but a player here nevertheless.

Form: 633164-

Doeslessthanme^p,t⁸⁶¹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Mike Hammond| OR: 132

12/1

Was rated in the 150's in his peak for Paul NIcholls, but that was back in 2012, and he's not been seen on a racecourse for almost 2½ years now. Good jockey booking though, and despite layoff, not discounted.

Form: 21F3U/3

Rody^t²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: C M Casey| OR: 117

14/1

Handles heavy and trip fine, but didn't really show enough on recent return to the track after a long layoff, although trip was too far anyway. More at home here, but still has a bit to prove.

Form: 3F46/PU

The Banastoir³²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Henry Morshead⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A Morshead| OR: 102

50/1

Looks moderate and not seen since last April. Done nothing to suggest he's a likely winner here, with trip looking on the short side too.

Form: 4P/643B-

Forecasts

Darwins Fox (13/8), Delta Borget (2/1), Boygojumping (7/2), Doeslessthanme (12/1), Rody (14/1), Court In Session (25/1), The Banastoir (50/1)

Not the easiest to solve. Darwins Fox would be the one to beat on form, but the likely soft/heavy conditions are slightly concerning. Preference is for DELTA BORGET, who won't mind the likely ground and this trip is ideal. He can repeat his victory from 2015. Money for Doeslessthanme would suggest he's fit and ready to go after his layoff, and on old form, he's of definite interest.