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16:10 Cheltenham

Friday 17 March 2017

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

St. James's Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 6m 42.9s

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Selected odds by:

Ask The Weatherman^p⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Biddick| T: Jack Barber

13/2

Suffered just one career defeat in nine outings with that coming at Larkhill in January 2015. Impressive winner of all of his point-to-point outings since and a winner on heavy ground at Wincanton over 3m1f on hunter chase debut last month. Lacks the hunter chase experience most of these have but looks a live contender for a leading point-to-point stable here.

Form: 1111-11

Aupcharlie²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr M J O'Hare| T: J T R Dreaper| OR: 137

33/1

Beaten just a head in Grade 1 company back in 2012 and finished sixth in this contest in 2016 when beaten 4¼L. Subsequently well held behind today's rival On The Fringe in a similar event at Punchestown. Convincing winner of a hunter chase at Fairyhouse last month and while he remains an unlikely winner he could well run into a place.

Form: 116-721

Balnaslow⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: G J McKeever| OR: 135

40/1

Useful horse on his day and surprised Foxrock when winning at Borris House in December. That rival reversed the form at Down Royal subsequently and he's been beaten in point-to-point's the last twice including when odds-on at Tyrella last time out. Has a top jockey booked but likely to struggle here.

Form: 125252

Barel Of Laughs^p⁶⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley| OR: 117

100/1

Finished runner-up to an impressive victor in a Larkhill point-to-point on his return to action in December and the winner of a 2m7f hunter chase at Taunton subsequently. Those two pieces of form are some way below what is likely to be required to win this and he looks likely to struggle.

Form: F/22131-

Black Thunder^p1²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 134

20/1

Rated 155 at his best a couple of seasons back but pulled up in the Grand National last season on his final start for previous yard. Winner of a decent hunter chase at Kelso on his return on heavy ground in January but beaten when long odds-on favourite at the same track next time out. Wears cheekpieces for the first time and a lively outsider.

Form: U6P-12P

Buckers Bridge^p1⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R P Quinlan| T: M F Morris| OR: 137

50/1

Grade 2 winner over fences as a novice in 2013 but form deteriorated under rules and well beaten in a 2m5f Grade 3 handicap at this meeting last year. Winner of two point-to-point's this season including by 4L under today's jockey at Belharbour last time out but he looks to have a lot on his plate here.

Form: 0/560-51

Cottage Oak²⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr H Crow| T: J J O'Shea| OR: 115

150/1

Veteran who finished third in this race behind today's rival Salsify in 2013 and finished fifth in the Aintree equivalent 12 months later, though on the downgrade in recent seasons. Winner of his last two outings under today's rider in point-to-point's at Bangor but this looks a lot tougher.

Form: 354-9P1

Current Event³²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Ms Lisa O'Neill| T: Mrs R Loxton| OR: 130

66/1

Finished fourth in this in 2016 and filled the same position behind On The Fringe in the Aintree equivalent the following month. Well beaten over this C&D at the hunter chase meeting here the following month, he is a lively outsider in this. Jockey rode a winner on the opening day.

Form: 12144-5

Dolatulo^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Gittins| T: B Pauling| OR: 134

66/1

Useful performer on his day and caught the eye when finishing a close second to Black Thunder at Kelso earlier this season. Well beaten at Warwick subsequently he made amends when winning at Ffos Las on soft ground.. This looks a tough task however.

Form: 8P/2810-

Grand Jesture²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R O Harding| T: J T R Dreaper| OR: 145

40/1

Refused to race for the third time in four starts on his return to regulation fences at Down Royal in December but ran out a convincing winner of a point-to-point at Oldtown subsequently. Disappointed when odds-on favourite last time out. Chances on some of his old form but a risky proposition given those refusals to race.

Form: 102R/R-1

Grand Vision^p³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr M Legg| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130

50/1

Winner of a hunter chase at Warwick in January but well held over an extended 2m4f at Bangor subsequently. Also beaten by today's rival Black Thunder this season and while he seems to retain plenty of ability he appears to have a bit to find with the principals.

Form: 324-312

Lets Get Serious⁶³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr C J Miller| T: C J Miller| OR: 118

200/1

Winner of a 3m3f hunter chase at Fontwell in May 2015 but had just two outings since and well beaten in a top hunter chase at Stratford later that month. Unraced since finishing well beaten in a handicap hurdle at Fos Las in June 2015 and likely to struggle here.

Form: 167/P5-9

Mendip Express^t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 131

66/1

Finished eighth in this in 2016 and beaten as a 2/9 favourite in a 3m hunter chase on soft ground at Ludlow last month on his only start so far this term. Has his regular rider on board and finished runner-up in the Becher at Aintree a few years ago but a place looks the best he can hope for here.

Form: 83-3295

Minella For Value⁹⁹²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR: 132

100/1

Winner of three of his four point-to-point outings under this jockey since refusing having been hampered on debut for this yard at Ballindenisk in December. Winner by 3L in a nine runner point-to-point on soft ground last month and a lively outsider here.

Form: 216113-

On The Fringe³³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J J Codd| T: E Bolger| OR: 134

11/8

Winner of this race for the past three years and subsequently followed up by taking the equivalent races at both Aintree and Punchestown. Finished runner-up behind the former high class chaser Foxrock in his usual prep for this event at Leopardstown last month, a run from which he tends to improve significantly. He represents top connections in this and is likely to prove very hard to beat as he chases a fourth success in this contest.

Form: 11-124P

Pacha Du Polder³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 138

16/1

Beaten less than 3L when finishing fifth in this contest in 2016 but beaten in four subsequent outings prior to winning at Bangor. Had today's rival Grand Vision back in second when winning on that occasion and has the same jockey booked to ride here.

Form: 6-33411

Paint The Clouds²³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: W Greatrex| OR: 134

11/1

Finished third in this last season prior to winning a prestigious hunter chase at Stratford in May. Justified odds-on favouritism when winning a Doncaster hunter chase over 3m2f for the third year in succession and leading Irish amateur who won on him at Stratford is back in the saddle here.

Form: 213-511

Pentiffic²⁷

Age: 14| Weight: 12-0| J: Miss Lucy Turner| T: P P Turner| OR: 119

150/1

Made the frame in both hunter chase efforts in 2017 including when runner-up over 3m at Haydock last time out. Stays well but ultimately likely to lack the pace to challenge in this.

Form: 433201-

Premier Portrait^p²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr G Levinson| T: Dr Charles Levinson| OR: 116

100/1

Surprise winner of a Kelso hunter chase when narrowly defeating Black Thunder last month. Had been beaten less than 2L when finishing strongly in a point-to-point at Horseheath the time before and while he rattled up eight point-to-point wins in 2017 he looks likely to struggle in this company.

Form: 113310

Salsify³³

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Clements| T: R Sweeney| OR: 139

50/1

Winner of this race in both 2012 and 2013 he has struggled in the main since, including in two hunter chases this season when well held behind Foxrock. Chances that a return to this track could spark a revival in form but he was pulled up in this in 2015 and his best days look behind him.

Form: P/3121-4

Sweet As A Nut^t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J C Barry| T: Michael Barry

14/1

Improving youngster who broke his maiden in point-to-point company less than 14 months ago. Ran out the impressive winner of a maiden hunter chase at Limerick on his second start this season and followed that up by taking a decent looking point-to-point at Tallow when accounting for today's rival Minella For Value. Has his regular jockey in the saddle here and likely to run well if taking to the track.

Form: 31-1R3

Warden Hill²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T Chatfeild-Roberts| T: Mrs H Connors| OR: 127

100/1

Useful performer on his day and the impressive winner of a point-to-point at Thorpe Lodge on his second outing in that sphere (fell when in touch the time before) and subsequently finished runner-up in a hunter chase at Fakenham under this jockey. Much more needed to take this event but could surprise a few better fancied rivals.

Form: F12021-

Wonderful Charm^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ms K Walsh| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153

7/2

Three time Grade 2 winner under rules for this yard and odds-on favourite for both hunter chase outings this term. Most recent of those came when defeating Pentiffic at Haydock last month having earlier won easily at Musselburgh. Likely to run well again here.

Form: P/2P7-11

Non-Runners

Anseanachai Cliste¹⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 9

T: S McConville J: Mr M McConville

Forecasts

On The Fringe (11/8), Wonderful Charm (7/2), Ask The Weatherman (13/2), Paint The Clouds (11/1), Sweet As A Nut (14/1), Pacha Du Polder (16/1), Black Thunder (20/1), Anseanachai Cliste (25/1), Aupcharlie (33/1), Balnaslow (40/1), Grand Jesture (40/1), Salsify (50/1), Grand Vision (50/1), Buckers Bridge (50/1), Mendip Express (66/1), Current Event (66/1), Dolatulo (66/1), Barel Of Laughs (100/1), Minella For Value (100/1), Warden Hill (100/1), Premier Portrait (100/1), Pentiffic (150/1), Cottage Oak (150/1), Lets Get Serious (200/1)

ON THE FRINGE can register his third successive victory in this prestigious contest and thus become the first horse to do so. The selection put in a much better effort on his return in 2017 than he did last year and expect to see him and his leading amateur rider towards the rear of the field in the early stages. Ask The Weatherman is an improving and unexposed sort who has tasted defeat just once in his career and he is taken to finish second while both Wonderful Charm and Sweet As A Nut have chances also. The former was the impressive winner up at Musselburgh earlier this season while the latter impressed on his only hunter chase outing and though this looks a lot tougher he should be in the shake-up also.