Go Pointing Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 6m 1.3s

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Selected odds by:

Virak²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss N Parker⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs R Loxton| OR: 124| D

8/13

Classy multiple chase winner at up to 3m, before switching to this sphere last season and winning two hunter chases. Has warmed up for this with three point wins over the winter, including on good, and should be tough to beat.

Form: 103-111

Irish Thistle^p¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D Skehan| T: D L Williams| OR: 69

66/1

Hasn't won for two years and 35 starts, and never beyond 2m4f. Has shown his best form on testing ground, and recent level of form is well short of what will be required to win this.

Form: 664445

Silvergrove^t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: J P Owen| OR: 125| D

10/1

Useful chaser when at his best in the 2015-16 season. Stays 3m2f on soft ground. Won four point-to-points on good ground in 2017, but then not seen until a distant second in a recent Fakenham hunter chase. Should come on for that, but more needed.

Form: 6111/1-2

Queen Olivia¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Collins| OR: 112| D

6/1

Hasn't won since May 2017, but has remained competitive in both hunter chases and between the flags, although pulled up latest. Not ruled out of the prize money, but it would be a surprise if she proved up to winning this.

Form: 22-323P

In Arrears¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr D Edwards| T: G F Edwards| D

11/4

Was in good form in points, winning two out of four this season, before making all to win easily in an Exeter novices' hunter chase recently. That looks a very good effort in the context of this race, and she has to be taken very seriously.

Form: P21311

Non-Runners

Flaming Charmer¹¹⁵

Weight: 12-6| Age: 11

T: G Slade-Jones J: C J Todd

Forecasts

Virak (8/13), In Arrears (11/4), Flaming Charmer (5/1), Queen Olivia (6/1), Silvergrove (10/1), Irish Thistle (66/1)

In Arrears arrives in cracking form and has youth on her side, so don't ruled out a follow-up to her easy Exeter success. However, VIRAK is a seasoned campaigner who has done it at a higher level and clearly retains a fair bit of ability. He is taken to score, with Silvergrove perhaps the one to chase them home.