18:20 Cheltenham

Friday 3 May 2024

All16:3517:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:05

Midlands Air Ambulance Mixed Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 18:21 | Winning time: 7m 21.89s

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Selected odds by:

Captain Tommy^p,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: Fred Timmis| OR: 119

14/1

Back to best when winning first 2 starts in hunters for this yard earlier this year. Not seen to best effect when ninth of 22 in Foxhunters at Aintree 3 weeks ago, though not shaping as if likely to get himself involved when finding the winner jumping across him at the fourth last. Bit to find here.

Form: P41P19-

Deise Aba^b¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Zac Baker| T: Francesca Poste| OR: 132

3/1

Useful but unpredictable chaser for Philip Hobbs but has won all 3 starts in points for this yard and made a winning return to Rules in hunter at Stratford 12 days ago. Respected.

Form: P11P11-

Premier Magic^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr Bradley Gibbs| T: B Gibbs| OR: 139| CD

7/2

Likeable type who belied huge odds to win Festival Challenge Cup Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival sole start in 2022/23. Followed up in this race last season but disappointed when bidding to defend his crown at this year's Festival. Can bounce back.

Form: 11/111P-

Quintin's Man¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-4| J: Mr D Andrews⁽³⁾| T: J Heard| OR: 131| BF| CD

11/2

Multiple point winner who has scored twice in hunters last season. Never really got into a rhythm when pulled up in Festival Challenge Cup Hunters' Chase at the Festival and only fourth back in a point 2 weeks ago.

Form: 3313P4-

Encounter A Giant^p,t¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-1| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: T Britten| OR: 112| D

40/1

Prolific point winner but was last of 4 finishers last time (Apr 20) and well held in this 12 months ago.

Form: P11/514-

Fairly Famous⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Miss Gina Andrews| T: Mrs G Ellis| OR: 124| C

10/3

Took off in points for this yard (successful in 5 of 6 starts, including latest March 3) and made a highly impressive hunter debut when cruising to success at this meeting last season. Disappointed on his return to Rules at Wetherby 3 months ago but heavy ground a possible excuse.

Form: 11/12P1-

Lift Me Up³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr Jack Andrews| T: Miss M Filby| OR: 115

11/2

Multiple point winner, including last time (Mar 30). Impressed when landing a 7-runner hunter at Newbury 13 months ago but beaten quickly at this meeting last year.

Form: 111/P21-

Definite Dilemma¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P York| T: Miss E L Gillings| OR: 95

33/1

Multiple point winner, third last time (Apr 20). Just fair form in chases, including when second at this meeting sole start in 2021/22 for Will Biddick. Not seen under Rules since.

Form: 1/P2U43-

Ripper Roo¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Daniel Kyne⁽⁷⁾| T: R Varnham| OR: 98

40/1

Fair form over hurdles/well held completed starts in chases for Olly Murphy (sold £4,500). Winning pointer, including last time (Apr 20). Plenty to find back under Rules.

Form: 35/3231-

Forecasts

Deise Aba (3/1), Fairly Famous (10/3), Premier Magic (7/2), Lift Me Up (11/2), Quintin's Man (11/2), Captain Tommy (14/1), Definite Dilemma (33/1), Encounter A Giant (40/1), Ripper Roo (40/1)

PREMIER MAGIC disappointed when bidding to defend his crown in the Festival Challenge Cup Hunters' Chase here 7 weeks ago but he can bounce back with a bang and repeat last year's success in this. Deise Aba has made a positive start for this yard and is next best ahead of Fairly Famous, who was an impressive winner at this meeting last season.