16:10 Cheltenham

Friday 16 March 2018

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

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

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 2  |   3m 2f 70y  |   Soft (Heavy in places)  |   24 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 16:13  |   Winning time: 7m 17.2s
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1
Horse silk
Balnaslow34
Age: 11|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: G J McKeever| OR:  135
14/1
Useful performer on his day and ran well to finish 3L fifth in this contest 12 months ago. Best effort since came when winning at Punchestown in April and while he pulled up on his return to action, he should be spot on for this.
2
Horse silk
Barel Of Laughsp26
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Edwards| T: P Rowley| OR:  138| CD
20/1
Placed in this race a year ago and has won three of his four starts since, including over C&D on good ground in early May. Saw off five rivals in a point-to-point last month and he hails from a stable who are having a good season.
3
Horse silk
Burning Ambition33
Age: 7|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr J J Codd| T: Pierce Power| OR:  146
3/1
Progressive youngster and winner five times in succession prior to finishing runner-up to leading hunter chaser Gilgamboa over 3m1f at Punchstown (heavy) last month. Has good form on soft ground though lacks the experience of some of his rivals.
4
Horse silk
Caid Du Berlaist19
Age: 9|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr William Biddick| T: Mrs R Loxton| OR:  140| C
10/1
Classy performer under Rules and ran twice at this meeting in 2017. Unbeaten in three starts since switching to point-to-point racing this season and looks likely to run well again today with a leading jockey booked to ride.
5
Horse silk
Cousin Petet20
Age: 10|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr N Phillips| T: Mrs Brown| OR:  121| BF| C
25/1
Finished runner-up to Sir Jack Yeats on soft ground at Market Rasen last month and registered his sixth point-to-point win when scoring at Barbury Castle subsequently. Likely needs to improve to figure in this contest.
6
Horse silk
Foxrockb,t54
Age: 10|  Weight: 12-0| J: Ms K Walsh| T: A Fleming| OR:  144
7/1
Victorious at the highest level over fences and a winner four times in hunter chases last season. Satisfactory return to action when beaten 10L by Gilgamboa at Thurles last time and ground conditions are in his favour here.
7
Horse silk
Grand Vision43
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: C L Tizzard| OR:  141
16/1
Hunter chase winner last season and winner twice from three starts in handicap company this time around. Saw off Kayf Adventure at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) last time out and is an interesting runner in this.
8
Horse silk
Minella For Value284
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR:  134| BF
25/1
Finished sixth in this race last year and has won twice in point-to-points in 2018. Beaten in all three hunter chases last year however and more is needed on his return to regulation fences.
9
Horse silk
On The Fringe96
Age: 13|  Weight: 12-0| J: Ms N Carberry| T: E Bolger| OR:  136| CD
14/1
Winner of this race in 2015 and 2016 but not the force he once was and could finish only second in a point-to-point on heavy ground at Borris House when last in action back in December.
10
Horse silk
Pacha Du Polder23
Age: 11|  Weight: 12-0| J: Miss H C Tucker| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  138| BF| CD
14/1
Winner of this race 12 months ago and made a satisfactory return to action despite finishing only third in a hunter chase over 3m2f at Doncaster (good-to-soft) last month. Interesting to see how he fares under today's inexperienced pilot.
11
Horse silk
Premier Portraitv28
Age: 11|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr G Levinson| T: Dr Charles Levinson| OR:  123| BF
50/1
Successful twice in hunter chases including when winning over 2m7f on soft ground at Taunton in January. Also winner of a point-to-point this season but blotted his copybook last time and looks up against it in this company.
12
Horse silk
Saddlers Encore25
Age: 9|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joshua Newman| T: Miss C Newman| OR:  116| BF
66/1
Useful horse a couple of years ago and winner of a point-to-point at Barbury Castle (good-to-soft) on his debut for this yard when returning from a long absence. Well held in a hunter chase last time out however.
13
Horse silk
Shantou Magic34
Age: 11|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr W B Ramsay| T: Capt W B Ramsay| OR:  116
66/1
Three time chase winner and successful in both point-to-point starts this season, the latest coming on soft ground at Friars Haugh last month. Change of jockey today and others have a more obvious chance in this contest.
14
Horse silk
Shotavodka27
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Hugh Nugent| T: Miss H Brookshaw| OR:  128| D
33/1
Useful horse under Rules a couple of years ago and made a winning debut for this yard in a 2m5f hunter chase at Ludlow (soft) in January. Just touched off by Virak subsequently and may surprise a few here.
15
Horse silk
Sir Jack Yeatsb29
Age: 7|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr James King| T: R Spencer| OR:  130
14/1
Finished third to Shotavodka at Hereford (2m5f, soft) in January but unbeaten in two subsequent hunter chase outings including on heavy ground at Kelso last time out. Interesting to see how he fares in this contest.
16
Horse silk
Top Woodt,v177
Age: 11|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR:  124
20/1
Successful on heavy ground for David Pipe and unbeaten in two point-to-point starts on good-to-soft since joining this stable prior to this season. Useful amateur in the saddle and wears a first-time visor.
17
Horse silk
Unioniste19
Age: 10|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  133| C| D
20/1
Rated 159 at his best in 2015 but not the force of old and beaten by Premier Portrait at Taunton in January. Impressive winner at Wincanton and Fontwell since and underfoot conditions will suit.
18
Horse silk
Vincitoret43
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Miss S Rippon| T: Miss S Rippon| OR:  98| D
100/1
Four time chase winner but generally well held when tackling hunter chases and finished 68L behind Unioniste at Wincanton (3m1f, heavy) last time out. Looks likely to struggle.
19
Horse silk
Virak27
Age: 9|  Weight: 12-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  139
12/1
Classy chaser on his day and winner of both starts since switching to hunter chases this season. Most recent of those came when defeating Shotavodka over 2m6f at Haydock (heavy) a month ago. Represents last years winning stable.
20
Horse silk
Volnay De Thaixp127
Age: 9|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Jack Andrews| T: Stuart Morris| OR:  147
16/1
Grade 2-placed over hurdles in April last year and the impressive winner of both point-to-point starts this season. Came home 20L clear of his rivals last time out but hasn't always convinced over fences in the past.
21
Horse silk
Warden Hillp23
Age: 10|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr T Chatfeild-Roberts| T: Mrs H Connors| OR:  119| D
33/1
Ampton point-to-point winner in January but beaten by Sir Jack Yeats at Market Rasen subsequently. Well supported when winning at Doncaster (3m2f, good-to-soft) last time but others make more appeal in this contest.
22
Horse silk
Wells De Luneh,t26
Age: 7|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Peter Bryan| T: M Bowen| OR:  131
25/1
Winning for the third time over fences when victorious over 2m5f at Ffos Las (heavy) last month. Had finished runner-up at Bangor prior to that but has to prove his stamina on his first attempt at this trip.
23
Horse silk
Wonderful Charmp,t41
Age: 10|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen| T: P F Nicholls| OR:  138
11/2
Beaten a neck in this race last year and was winning his third hunter chase when successful at Musselburgh (soft) over an extended 3m2f last time out. Likely to be playing a leading role once more.
24
Horse silk
Young Hurricane33
Age: 12|  Weight: 12-0| J: Mr John Dawson| T: Guy Brewer| OR:  125| BF| D
33/1
Winner of a prestigious contest over an extended 3m3f at Stratford (good) in June. Suffered a shock defeat on his seasonal debut and best efforts have come on ground significantly quicker than is forecast here.

Forecasts

Burning Ambition (3/1), Wonderful Charm (11/2), Foxrock (7/1), Caid Du Berlais (10/1), Virak (12/1), Pacha Du Polder (14/1), Balnaslow (14/1), On The Fringe (14/1), Sir Jack Yeats (14/1), Grand Vision (16/1), Volnay De Thaix (16/1), Top Wood (20/1), Barel Of Laughs (20/1), Unioniste (20/1), Cousin Pete (25/1), Wells De Lune (25/1), Minella For Value (25/1), Shotavodka (33/1), Warden Hill (33/1), Young Hurricane (33/1), Premier Portrait (50/1), Shantou Magic (66/1), Saddlers Encore (66/1), Vincitore (100/1)

Verdict

CAID DU BERLAIS is already a winner here having taken a Grade 3 contest a few years ago and he has impressed in winning three point-to-points since joining his current trainer. The selection has won on both soft and heavy ground in the past and is taken to get the better of former stablemate Wonderful Charm . He ran well to finish runner-up in this race last year and was the impressive winner of his sole start this time around. Of the remainder Foxrock has won at the highest level in the past and should appreciate the soft ground that's forecast.
  1. Caid Du Berlais
  2. Wonderful Charm
  3. Foxrock

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 11-7  |Age: 8
8/1
2023
Weight: 12-0  |Age: 10
66/1
2022
Weight: 12-0  |Age: 10
13/8
2021
Weight: 12-0  |Age: 10
16/1
2019
Weight: 12-0  |Age: 11
7/2
2017
Weight: 12-0  |Age: 10
16/1

Prize Money

1st: £26,982.002nd: £8,428.003rd: £4,212.004th: £2,106.005th: £1,053.006th: £531.00

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