19:50 Stratford

Friday 9 June 2017

All17:3018:0518:4019:1519:5020:2521:00

Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters' Chase (The 59th Running)

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 7m 7.5s

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Selected odds by:

Balnaslow⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: G J McKeever| OR: 135

5/2

Top class hunter chaser and followed up his Aintree Foxhunters second with a game win in the Champion Hunter Chase at the Punchestown Festival. Should stay trip and no reason not to be on the premises again.

Form: 252521-

Bear's Affair²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley| OR: 128| BF

16/1

Classy chaser for NIcky Henderson at his peak, although maybe didn't win as many as his talent suggested he would. Took a heavy fall at Towcester latest, that coming after an easy win at Warwick, and needs to show wellbeing after that tumble.

Form: 0/2371-F

Man Of Steel^p,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joe Hill| T: A Hill| OR: 122

16/1

Has rattled off a hat-trick of wins in May and made light work of it art Cartmel on latest effort, jumping more slickly than has sometimes been the case. Proven over this trip and although a bit to find on form, another good showing wouldn't surprise.

Form: 143-111

Master Workman^p³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas| T: D Kemp| OR: 113

20/1

Generally consistent at a lower level than today, and has won his last two at Fakenham with a bit in hand. Track should be ideal, then, but despite good jockey booking, may need to up his game again here.

Form: PP221-1

Mr Mercurial^t⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Biddick| T: Mrs S Crow| OR: 118

16/1

Can be a little inconsistent, and has shown flashes of temperament in the past. Reasonable effort to finish eighth in the Aintree Foxhunters but ground to make up with Balnaslow on that, and an unseat last time doesn't help his cause. Capable of causing the upset, but risky.

Form: 0P/418U-

Rebel Rebellion^t¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

16/1

High class handicapper at his peak and has made a good impression in the hunter chase field. Winner of last two with a bit in hand but still a question mark over suitability of this trip if there's a good pace on. Every chance on the figures, but others make more appeal.

Form: 7/269-11

The Wealerdealer³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: I Chanin| OR: 113

9/1

In cracking form at present and followed up a good win in an Open at Upcot Cross with an even better second to the classy Barel Of Laughs at Cheltenham, running on well late. Worth a go at this trip and may surprise a few better fancied rivals.

Form: 13U21-2

Wild Bill⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Conor Orr| T: Sally Randell| OR: 113

33/1

Useful chaser for Evan Williams and has made a good start to point-to-point career, winning Opens at Chaddesley (beating the good yardstick Big Fella Thanks) and Brafield last time. Needs to improve again, and while that's not impossible, this trip raises another question.

Form: 34P/1P1-

Wonderful Charm^p,t⁶²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140

11/8

High class chaser has translated his form over to the point-to-point field, and turned in an excellent effort when just denied in the Cheltenham Foxhunters in March. Disappointed in the Grand National and the question now of whether he can bounce back from that. Still shortlisted.

Form: P7/1120-

Young Hurricane¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr John Dawson| T: Guy Brewer| OR: 114

16/1

Has refound some form of late, beating the useful Fruit Fayre at Askham and hosing up on latest start at Kelso by 20l. However, that form some way below what's required here, so others hold stronger claims.

Form: 4F112-1

Forecasts

Wonderful Charm (11/8), Balnaslow (5/2), The Wealerdealer (9/1), Young Hurricane (16/1), Rebel Rebellion (16/1), Bear's Affair (16/1), Man Of Steel (16/1), Mr Mercurial (16/1), Master Workman (20/1), Wild Bill (33/1)

A cracking renewal of the Champion Hunters Chase, and the class acts of the field, Balnaslow and WONDERFUL CHARM might be the two to fight it out. Preference is for the latter, who can turn around a disappointing effort in the Grand National to take this. His second in the Foxhunters is a quality piece of form and a reproduction of it must see him close. Balnaslow is doing little wrong and if he gets the trip, can run the selection close. Only Mr Mercurial will know what side of bed he's got out of but if it's the right one, he could go well at a price. The Wealerdealer is another to consider in what promises to be a great race.