15:20 Taunton

Tuesday 9 January 2018

All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Geoffrey Bosley 'Tally Ho' Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 14.6s

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Selected odds by:

Opening Batsman^t²⁶³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr M Legg| T: H Fry| OR: 136

5/1

Won the Grade 3 Racing Plus Chase at Kempton in his prime (February 2013), and retained the zest and enthusiasm for racing when last seen in action in April (2m5f Fontwell winner). A force to be reckoned with at this level despite his age.

Form: 355011-

Unioniste²⁹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137

6/4

Classy stayer who last tasted success at Kelso in February 2016 (3m2f), when beating Neptune Equester. Not as effective in stronger races thereafter (2016 Grand National, 2016 Welsh Grand National) but eased sharply in grade off a 10 month break.

Form: 20/0009-

Bear's Affair³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-2| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley| OR: 128

7/2

Useful chaser at his peak for Nicky Henderson, and has done well enough for his new connections since tackling Hunters Chases (seventh to Dineur in the 2017 Aintree Foxhunters). Warmed up for this race with a recent all out Cottenham point success.

Form: 371-F61

Premier Portrait^p³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-2| J: Mr G Levinson⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr Charles Levinson| OR: 116| D

10/1

Prolific pointer in 2016, and caused an upset back under rules at Kelso in February 2017 (3m heavy) when beating Black Thunder by a short-head. Tackled the Cheltenham/Aintree Foxhunters prior to winning a 3m Wadebridge Mens Open last month.

Form: 3310U-1

Imperial Circus²³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Page Fuller| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 121| C| D

10/1

Raced for Philip Hobbs when last in action under rules in March 2015 (123 rated). However, plenty of water has passed under the bridge since then. A three time winner from 14 starts in point-to-points; latest success at Black Forest Lodge (Jan 17).

Form: 21442-5

Milosam^v³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: G Chambers| OR: 103| CD

100/1

Has an ultra impressive course record (1,1,1,2,1,2,F), with all four career successes coming over C&D for Philip Hobbs. Not raced under rules since March 2015, but has had a recent spin or two in points. Can a return to Taunton revive?

Form: PP/UP5P

Princely Player³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Jake Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs K Hobbs| OR: 135| C| D

11/2

A winner of five races under rules for Philip Hobbs (latest at Worcester in June 2014), but has shown a reluctance to form a line in the past. 2 from 3 in points, and has the benefit of a recent run at Larkhill (second; just failed).

Form: 641/1P-2

The Lizard King^p1⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Edwards| T: Nicky Martin

40/1

Lightly raced under rules for Charlie Longsdon but has enjoyed a successful career in points for this trainer (2 from 9). His most recent success was an all out ½L victory at Bratton Down in June. Plenty to find with some of the leading players.

Form: F2-2213

U Me And Them^v⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr M A S Comley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Hannah Taylor| OR: 85

250/1

His sole career success came in his younger days (March 2015) in a 3m Dromahane maiden. Has shown little under rules (or in point-to-points) to enthuse over since then.

Form: PUF-P4P

Vincitore^t⁴⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss S Rippon⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Rippon| OR: 98| D

50/1

A four time career winner under rules for previous handlers Charlie Longsdon and Claire Hart. Stays well, but hasn't won (other than in point-to-points) since April 2015 and now looks to be getting a little long in the tooth.

Form: 1540-40

Forecasts

Unioniste (6/4), Bear's Affair (7/2), Opening Batsman (5/1), Princely Player (11/2), Premier Portrait (10/1), Imperial Circus (10/1), The Lizard King (40/1), Vincitore (50/1), Milosam (100/1), U Me And Them (250/1)

Love them or loathe them, there is a place for Hunters Chases in the racing programme, and some well known names feature in the first race of this type since late spring/early summer, with the Fry and Nicholls camps already casting an eye towards the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals later in the season. Opening Batsman has a couple of years on UNIONISTE, but he hasn't lost the enthusiasm for racing just yet, and arrives seeking a hat-trick off a 263 day break following victories at Ludlow and Fontwell. However, preference is the David Maxwell owned and ridden ten-year-old, who has been set some stiff tasks since winning decisively at Kelso in February 2016 (Grand National, Welsh Grand National and the Kim Muir), and will surely relish this drop in grade. Bear's Affair looks a clear best of the rest, with Taunton regulars no doubt nostalgically pleased to see the return of course specialist Milosam.