Walrus Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:49 | Winning time: 6m 3.1s

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Selected odds by:

Ardea³⁰⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽⁵⁾| T: Justin Landy| OR: 121| BF

7/1

Unable to force his head in front last season, although has won on numerous occasions under rules (often over 3m at Hexham); regular rider Joe Wright aboard; first start since April 2018 (PTP).

Form: 211/223-

Ballotin^p²⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 141| D

4/1

5-14 over fences and has competed in stronger races than today's since joining Philip Hobbs; runner-up (beaten 16L) off a mark of 143 at Ascot in November 2017 (2m5f); noteworthy on seasonal return.

Form: 0/31520-

Dineur^h,t⁶⁸¹

Age: 13| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr James King| T: M Bowen| OR: 122| D

11/2

Stamped his class on this sphere with an Aintree Foxhunters' win in 2017 (2m5f, good to soft), but absent since. Competitive if retaining his ability, albeit this is a tough ask at the age of 13 off a 681-day break.

Form: 13U721/

Pacha Du Polder³³⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-4| J: Miss H C Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

5/2

Back-to-back winner of the Cheltenham Foxhunters' (3m2f) - given a particularly brave ride by Harriet Tucker in 2018; the first stepping stone towards the hat-trick bid, and a successful return for this rider would be the stuff of legends.

Form: 4114/31-

Road To Rome¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: J J O'Shea| OR: 139

10/3

In imperious form since joining this trainer (6-6); 3-3 under rules in 2019 with wins at Taunton (2m7f) and Ludlow x2 (3m); ought to be a tough nut to crack off the front end, although a sound racing surface does suit best.

Form: 111111

Roevin Star¹⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr B Furnival⁽⁷⁾| T: T Garton| OR: 92

25/1

Hasn't won since June 2017 (Wexford) and looks firmly up against it on debut for Tim Garton (formerly with Eoin Doyle); evidently not the solution.

Form: 8-94474

Sybarite³⁶⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 105

20/1

Talented performer once upon a time for Nigel-Twiston Davies and also has some fair form in the book in Hunter Chases. However, is in the twilight of his racing career at the age of 13 and was well beaten at Leicester 12 months ago.

Form: 4/25P04-

Tulsa Jack^b²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr J Smith-Maxwell⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 127

20/1

123-rated winning chaser for Noel Meade, but that was way back in July 2016 (Kilbeggan); started 66/1 when well beaten on debut for Alex Dunn at Warwick (3m) last month; look elsewhere.

Form: U-86659

Forecasts

Pacha Du Polder (5/2), Road To Rome (10/3), Ballotin (4/1), Dineur (11/2), Ardea (7/1), Sybarite (20/1), Tulsa Jack (20/1), Roevin Star (25/1)

The admirable Pacha Du Polder will have far bigger targets on the agenda than today's contest, and at the age of 12 must prove his race-fitness in the lead up to Cheltenham. Supporters of Road To Rome will have few fears on that score, as he arrives in rude health after three straight rules wins since the turn of the year. He promises to be a tough nut to crack off the front end, although if he does have a slight vulnerability it's on account of the softer racing surface (than Ludlow and Taunton). Therefore, we'll chance the top-rated BALLOTIN for the evergreen David Maxwell who booted home the odds-on winner Shantou Flyer at Kelso on Thursday.