17:10 Cheltenham

Friday 5 May 2017

All17:1017:4018:1018:4519:2019:5020:25

Brian Babbage Memorial Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:13 | Winning time: 4m 10.2s

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Selected odds by:

Delta Borget^p²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 12-2| J: Miss V Wade⁽⁵⁾| T: L Jefford| OR: 114

10/1

Winner of four point-to-points and also landed two hunter chases on heavy ground last spring. Not at his best when a distant third to Mr Satco at Exeter last time and may be vulnerable to younger rivals.

Form: 454223-

Sam Cavallaro¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR: 105

4/1

Twice a hunter chaser winner over an extended 2m, so the trip is ideal. Third in a 3m point-to-point at Eyton-on-Severn last month, he will be fit enough to do himself justice and has his chance.

Form: 354F3-2

Are They Your Own^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120

7/4

Mixed it with some decent sorts as a hurdler, but has had his problems and was returning from a long absence when falling at the last with a novices' hunters' chase at his mercy at Fakenham last month. Has plenty of ability and should go close if putting in a clear round.

Form: 53429/F-

Back In June¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr William Biddick| T: Mrs K Heard| OR: 99

20/1

Has won three point-to-points, but is yet to win under Rules. Third, beaten over 20L, in his last point-to-point at Trebudannon last month, he has plenty to find to be competitive here.

Form: 1/121P3-

Broken Eagle^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Joe Hill⁽⁵⁾| T: A Hill| OR: 106

11/4

Prolific winner in the point-to-point field with 12 successes from 15 starts. Yet to translate that ability to the racecourse and fell at Becher's Brook in the Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree last month. Has the ability to go close.

Form: 111F1-P

Dr Anubis^v1⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: Miss K Lyons⁽⁷⁾| T: David Lewis| OR: 76

150/1

Only one win in 17 point-to-points and 0-33 under Rules. Connections reach for the visor and it will need to have a dramatic effect.

Form: P41/54-P

Mr Sawyer²⁶

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

16/1

Three-times point-to-point winner who was readily brushed aside in a three-runner race at Ystradowen last month. This shorter trip may see him in a better light, but others have much stronger claims.

Form: F1P252-

Nothing Personal^h,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Bdr Jody Sole⁽³⁾| T: S G Allen| OR: 71

50/1

Cut little ice in bumpers and novice hurdles and has enjoyed only limited success in point-to-points, but did win nicely at Aldington last month. Clearly in good heart, but others have more convincing profiles.

Form: P33/P1-5

Red Inca^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D Mansell| T: Con Rutledge| OR: 106

66/1

A winner on the Flat and over hurdles, he has run in three point-to-points this spring, performing like a horse who has lost his way. Needs a big revival here, but the return to racing under Rules might help.

Form: 326/P52-

Treacyswestcounty^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁵⁾| T: L Horsfall| OR: 78

33/1

Consistent performer in the point-to-point field and shaped respectably last time when second of four to a promising type at Guilsborough. The return to a short trip might help and he is not ruled out.

Form: 23412-3

Western Dream^h1⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr C R Taylor⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Hannah Taylor

100/1

Has more letters than numbers next to his name and refused in a Woodford point-to-point last time. One to swerve.

Form: 7PPP3R-

Willem¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Martin McIntyre⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Teresa Clark| OR: 123

16/1

Formerly trained by David Pipe, he has run in four point-to-points for his current stable, pulling up in three of them and finishing third in the other. Hard to recommend on those recent efforts.

Form: 4PP3PP-

Forecasts

Are They Your Own (7/4), Broken Eagle (11/4), Sam Cavallaro (4/1), Delta Borget (10/1), Willem (16/1), Mr Sawyer (16/1), Back In June (20/1), Treacyswestcounty (33/1), Nothing Personal (50/1), Red Inca (66/1), Western Dream (100/1), Dr Anubis (150/1)

Not many hunter chases are run over the minimum trip, but it should not be a problem to BROKEN EAGLE, who is a prolific point-to-point winner who can finally start to translate that ability to races under Rules. Are They Your Own was set to win when coming to grief at Fakenham last time and will be a big threat if negotiating the fences.