NFRC Southwest Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 6m 24.5s

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Selected odds by:

Benvolio^b⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-3| J: Mr G Levinson⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr Charles Levinson| OR: 137

7/2

Had some good form in the book for Paul Nicholls before moving to this new yard where he has struggled to return to his best since moving yards. Has a big chance if his new trainer has managed to get him back to his best.

Form: 31P-347

Dineur^h,t¹⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-3| J: Mr James King| T: M Bowen| OR: 133

3/1

Returns after a short break having run well in several outings last summer before his form tailed off somewhat in the autumn. Probably the one to beat of these on his best form and has the assistance of a top amateur in the saddle.

Form: 213U72

Night Alliance^b,t²³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-3| J: Mr Leo Mahon⁽⁷⁾| T: P Philips| OR: 115

10/1

Hasn't looked the force of old recently including when beaten 111L by Vasco Du Mee at Cheltenham last April. Second to Dolatulo at Ffos Las is his only recent notable piece of form but that was a 20L beating and he looks unlikely to be getting involved here.

Form: 0P9P25

Vasco Du Mee^b,t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-3| J: Miss Josephine Banks⁽⁷⁾| T: M H Weston| OR: 123

5/1

Won at Cheltenham's hunter chase meeting last April (4m½f, good), but hasn't been at his best since, including when beaten 41L at Fakenham last time. Possible he needs a marathon trip as his career advances, and so looks best watched here.

Form: 21-1533

Distracted^p²¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Bradley Gibbs⁽³⁾| T: R Thomas| OR: 107

33/1

Was in a good run of form in 2015 before a break since when she has not seemed anything like as effective - a return to those performances of two years ago would be required for her to prove competitive in this company.

Form: 1/P65P-P

All Great N Theory³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Wadland

10/1

Decent recent form in point to points and has also run well under rules in the past despite not being seen in this sphere for over three years. Could have more to offer now back in hunter chases.

Form: 12/6225-

Jump Up¹⁰²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Mark Robinson⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Robinson| OR: 72

100/1

Has clearly had his problems given he's returning from a break since summer 2014 today. Hasn't won a race since a handicap hurdle the year before and looks best watched here.

Form: 355405/

Richmond^p¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: P P Turner| OR: 106

5/2

Won a point to point on his most recent start with moderate form in hunter chases prior to that. Has a good chance on that basis, but it's not always simple for winning pointers to transfer that form to races under rules.

Form: 743313

Forecasts

Richmond (5/2), Dineur (3/1), Benvolio (7/2), Vasco Du Mee (5/1), All Great N Theory (10/1), Night Alliance (10/1), Distracted (33/1), Jump Up (100/1)

Dineur showed some good form last summer, including when winning at Worcester in a better race than this, while All Great N Theory returns to racing under rules after a long time away, during which he's showed good form in point to points. The suggestion though, is BENVOILO, who was an excellent chaser for Paul Nicholls before transferring to Charles Levinson's yard in November. He hasn't quite been as good for his new handler but the ability should still be there and if can find it again he should prove difficult to beat here.