Cocklakes Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 6m 50.7s

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Selected odds by:

Band Of Blood^b,t²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-6| J: Miss C R Crane⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss C Crane| OR: 115| D

25/1

Beaten a very long way when remote second to Just A Par at Doncaster last time. Hard to see him turning that form around or beating other higher rated rivals. Doesn't appear the force of old.

Form: 60/49-P2

Sir Jack Yeats^b³²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-6| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁵⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 123| BF| D

7/4

Decent sort in this sphere and was fine sixth in Aintree Foxhunters Chase last April. Returns from 11-month absence, handles the ground, but may be better for this outing.

Form: 09/3162-

Ultragold^t⁶⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-6| J: Mr L Trott⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

5/1

Topham Trophy hero at Aintree in both 2017 and 2018. 14th in last year's Grand National but hasn't shone in three starts this term. Class act when on song but needs to bounce back.

Form: 5P0-P76

Just A Par^b²⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 12-2| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁷⁾| T: J Guerriero| OR: 132| D

6/5

2015 bet365 H'cap Chase winner at Sandown for Paul Nicholls and failed by just short-head to defend that crown 12 months later. Left clear on first start for current handler when wide margin winner at Doncaster in first hunter chase. Solid claims.

Form: 00/7P-21

It Has To Be⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Lyall Hodgins⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Robson| OR: 100| D

28/1

Former winning pointer who showed poor form under Rules in Ireland for Gavin Cromwell two seasons ago. Little two write home about in two starts so far for current handler and appears to face a very stiff task.

Form: 0009-UP

Munsaab¹⁷

Age: 14| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Thomas Greenwood⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss C E Dean| OR: 105

33/1

Five-time winner but not since scoring at Cartmel in 2017. Two starts in hunter chases so far, running respectably at Cartmel in May but beaten out of sight after break at Ludlow in February.

Form: 37/6P-24

Forecasts

Just A Par (6/5), Sir Jack Yeats (7/4), Ultragold (5/1), Band Of Blood (25/1), It Has To Be (28/1), Munsaab (33/1)

ULTRAGOLD often comes to himself at this time of year and although he hasn't shone so far this campaign he does have a touch of class and may bounce back in this event. Just A Par looks the main danger on figures and was a fortunate winner at Doncaster last time. He is a talented horse though and looks a danger. Sir Jack Yeats is younger than the other pair and showed good form last term. This is his first start back but he could make his presence felt, while Band Of Blood may do best of the other trio.