Darran

After putting up Dark Mahler up I was shocked to see him backed into favouritism at one stage because as I said in the preview Point The Way was certainly they right favourite even if I thought his price was on the sort side. As it turned out he was the strongest stayer in the race and didn't even race lazily as he usually does so it was a pretty easy watch for his backers. Apparently it was the 5th biggest prize money for a hunter chase this season which is great for the northern pointers to go for a big pot, but it was a pretty weak contest for the money. Nine Altars was 2nd again in the contest and he threatened to cart of with his jockey at one stage. To his credit he kept going well enough despite that mid race move. Rattle The Cage was up there, then got outpaced and then stayed on to just get 3rd from Dark Mahler. He was ridden to stay and didn't.
So we are left with just 2 hunter chases at Cartmel to end the season. This is always one of the weaker races of the season and amazingly in the last 9 runnings there has been no winning favourite. Really that ought to change this afternoon because Benefaktor has a fair bit in hand on all known form. I put him up at Cheltenham on the back of a very impressive performance at Revesby on his seasonal return, but after setting a decent pace he failed to stay. He went to Edgcote after that and was made to work very hard by Luke Harvey's Drumlynn to win over today's trip (the official margin was a head, but the pointing formbook reckons it was a dead heat and it did look too close to call for me as well). There are two concerns for me. The first is he had a very hard race that day so it might have left a mark and the 2nd is there could be a fair bit of pace in this contest which might not be ideal either. Still you have the best jockey in the race and you would imagine she will be sensible enough out in front.
To me Gold Time looks a bit short in the betting. She wasn't anything special last season and was pretty exposed in Ireland. This season she unseated in her first two starts the first of which she would have been a well beaten 4th behind Dressedforsuccess. That has to be a concern going under rules for the first time and Cartmel is a tough jumping track. The price is based on the face she has won her last two, beating Teescomponents Boy by a length in what was a decent time and then winning in a pretty slow time at Hexham a couple of weeks ago. She wouldn't be for me.
Given what I have just written it is no surprise that the 25/1 about Dressedforsuccess was taken as he would have beaten her quite comfortably if she had not unseated at the last. That was on good to firm ground so conditions should be ideal and I suspect it was too soft for him at Catterick back in March when he pulled up. The concern is he was a well beaten 5th in this race 2 years ago where he never got involved, but on quicker ground he can do better.
I'm a bit more surprised that Teescomponents Boy has been backed as the 2nd to Gold Time stands and with Immy's claim he is 5lbs better off here. He also ran terribly 8 days ago at Garthorpe and he wouldn't be for me.
Royal Chant weakened very quickly last week at Southwell and the jockey reported that he had stopped very quickly. This is a poorer race over a shorter trip so that might help him here. His best performance of the season was when beating Absainte in April on quick ground over 2m6f. To me he would have more ability than most of these.
Rafferty went off a million miles an hour in the 2m race at Cheltenham and not surprisingly fell in a hole. If he does the same here then he has no chance and I suspect if he did Gina would let him get on with it on the favourite rather than try and keep tabs with him. He bolted up in a maiden over 2m4f on his point debut in April which was his first run for 2 years. I find it hard to fancy him on the back of the Cheltenham effort.
Sliecegar gave his jockey his first winner at Hornby Castle in April and he made all that day after not getting involved at Dingley 5 days before. He was then pulled up in a restricted at Garthorpe when he looked to down tools once he was headed. If he has to lead then he has little chance of doing that for me here and even if he does I can't see him being good enough to stay there.
One For Martha and Some Ambition have no chance and that leaves us with Babytaggle. He led for a bit on Friday, but then just couldn't go the pace over a sharp 2m which was one of my concerns. He's a massive price again on that Huntingdon run especially in this poorer race. The concern though is he is going to struggle to lead again, but then you are getting 100/1 to find out.
I think the best way to play is by taking the favourite out of the equation given I don't fancy Gold Time who becomes a short price favourite in the betting without market. I will back Dressedforsuccess and Royal Chant plus a very small cover of Babytaggle.
Dressedforsuccess 1pt in the betting without fav market @ 4/1 with Bet365
Royal Chant 1pt in the betting without fav market @ 13/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w in the betting without fav market @ 50/1 with Bet365

After putting up Dark Mahler up I was shocked to see him backed into favouritism at one stage because as I said in the preview Point The Way was certainly they right favourite even if I thought his price was on the sort side. As it turned out he was the strongest stayer in the race and didn't even race lazily as he usually does so it was a pretty easy watch for his backers. Apparently it was the 5th biggest prize money for a hunter chase this season which is great for the northern pointers to go for a big pot, but it was a pretty weak contest for the money. Nine Altars was 2nd again in the contest and he threatened to cart of with his jockey at one stage. To his credit he kept going well enough despite that mid race move. Rattle The Cage was up there, then got outpaced and then stayed on to just get 3rd from Dark Mahler. He was ridden to stay and didn't.
So we are left with just 2 hunter chases at Cartmel to end the season. This is always one of the weaker races of the season and amazingly in the last 9 runnings there has been no winning favourite. Really that ought to change this afternoon because Benefaktor has a fair bit in hand on all known form. I put him up at Cheltenham on the back of a very impressive performance at Revesby on his seasonal return, but after setting a decent pace he failed to stay. He went to Edgcote after that and was made to work very hard by Luke Harvey's Drumlynn to win over today's trip (the official margin was a head, but the pointing formbook reckons it was a dead heat and it did look too close to call for me as well). There are two concerns for me. The first is he had a very hard race that day so it might have left a mark and the 2nd is there could be a fair bit of pace in this contest which might not be ideal either. Still you have the best jockey in the race and you would imagine she will be sensible enough out in front.
To me Gold Time looks a bit short in the betting. She wasn't anything special last season and was pretty exposed in Ireland. This season she unseated in her first two starts the first of which she would have been a well beaten 4th behind Dressedforsuccess. That has to be a concern going under rules for the first time and Cartmel is a tough jumping track. The price is based on the face she has won her last two, beating Teescomponents Boy by a length in what was a decent time and then winning in a pretty slow time at Hexham a couple of weeks ago. She wouldn't be for me.
Given what I have just written it is no surprise that the 25/1 about Dressedforsuccess was taken as he would have beaten her quite comfortably if she had not unseated at the last. That was on good to firm ground so conditions should be ideal and I suspect it was too soft for him at Catterick back in March when he pulled up. The concern is he was a well beaten 5th in this race 2 years ago where he never got involved, but on quicker ground he can do better.
I'm a bit more surprised that Teescomponents Boy has been backed as the 2nd to Gold Time stands and with Immy's claim he is 5lbs better off here. He also ran terribly 8 days ago at Garthorpe and he wouldn't be for me.
Royal Chant weakened very quickly last week at Southwell and the jockey reported that he had stopped very quickly. This is a poorer race over a shorter trip so that might help him here. His best performance of the season was when beating Absainte in April on quick ground over 2m6f. To me he would have more ability than most of these.
Rafferty went off a million miles an hour in the 2m race at Cheltenham and not surprisingly fell in a hole. If he does the same here then he has no chance and I suspect if he did Gina would let him get on with it on the favourite rather than try and keep tabs with him. He bolted up in a maiden over 2m4f on his point debut in April which was his first run for 2 years. I find it hard to fancy him on the back of the Cheltenham effort.
Sliecegar gave his jockey his first winner at Hornby Castle in April and he made all that day after not getting involved at Dingley 5 days before. He was then pulled up in a restricted at Garthorpe when he looked to down tools once he was headed. If he has to lead then he has little chance of doing that for me here and even if he does I can't see him being good enough to stay there.
One For Martha and Some Ambition have no chance and that leaves us with Babytaggle. He led for a bit on Friday, but then just couldn't go the pace over a sharp 2m which was one of my concerns. He's a massive price again on that Huntingdon run especially in this poorer race. The concern though is he is going to struggle to lead again, but then you are getting 100/1 to find out.
I think the best way to play is by taking the favourite out of the equation given I don't fancy Gold Time who becomes a short price favourite in the betting without market. I will back Dressedforsuccess and Royal Chant plus a very small cover of Babytaggle.
Dressedforsuccess 1pt in the betting without fav market @ 4/1 with Bet365
Royal Chant 1pt in the betting without fav market @ 13/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w in the betting without fav market @ 50/1 with Bet365

Some bets today
3.42 Kel Skiddaw Tara (BH) £1.30 win at 16/1 = £22.10 if it wins
5.25 Kel Wadacre Monika (BH) £2.00 win at 10/1 = £20 profit if it wins
3.25 Uttx Flame Of Passion (JJ'oN) 80p win a 25/1 = £20 profit if it wins
3.57 Uttx Pistol Whipped (NdB) £3.50 at 7.4 = £21.95 if it wins
5.42 Uttx Kingofthecotswolds (STD) £1 win at 20/1
Total stakes = £8.60
Incidentally anyone interested in the 4.52 Hunters Chase at Kelso today could well do themselves a favour by reading @Darran write-up under the head of "Hunter Chases" .  He is always a good read
 

I will look back at Stratford at some point, but needless to say from a betting point of view it was a disaster which all started with what happened in the opener.
Anyway on to Kelso this afternoon and we have all the usual northern horses out in their hunter chase. Not surprisingly Point The Way heads the betting after winning easily at Perth earlier in the month. He is the right favourite, but he can make hard work of things and that race fell apart at Perth given all bar the 2nd failed to give their running and he had nothing to beat. To be fair this might turn out to be the case here as well, but I think it is worth trying to get him beat.
I put Magna Sam up in that Perth race, but the ground went against him that day and he pulled up. There wont be an issue with the ground today, but I am more concerned about the trip. I don't think he really stays 3m2f as he didn't in the Lady Dudley Cup two starts back. I also think he's better in a smaller field. It will be annoying if he does win, but he's not for me today.
I can't have Fortunes Hiding at all on his pointing form and he has clearly been priced up on his BHA rating of 123.
Nine Altars was 2nd in this race two years ago and a stamina test does suit as he showed run running on fast for 2nd to Virak at Musselburgh last year. His run in the race Dolphin Square won here earlier in the month was just bizarre and I'm not sure there was enough in his 2nd at Hexham's point track last time, but he does have a chance if he runs up to his best.
It is hard to see how Killer Crow can reverse form with the favourite and Game As A Pheasant and Son Of Suize have ground to make up on some of these as well.
Dark Mahler is going to be the main bet. He actually finished in front of the favourite at Musselburgh in February as he was 5th and Paint The Way pulled up. After that he was a staying on 2nd over shorter behind Captain Buck's. His next run though is the most eye-catching as he beat Monbeg Chit Chat in a point a month later. Now that one has clearly improved since, but even so that is a good effort in the context of this race. A couple of weeks later he was beaten at 1/2 but that came over 2m4f so I can forgive him that. I suspect he's been targeted at this race since and he looks value at 5/1.
The other one I will cover to small stakes is Six A Side. He was just behind Dark Mahler at Musselburgh in March and then he was 4L 2nd to Monbeg Chit Chat last month which again is a good piece of form. He then just bear Game As A Pheasant before finishing 2nd to One Conemara last time. I think this extra trip will help him and even though he's 13 he is still clearly running well.
Dark Mahler 1pt @ 5/1 with Bet365
Six A Side 0.5pts e/w @ 11/1 with most bookies

I will look back at Stratford at some point, but needless to say from a betting point of view it was a disaster which all started with what happened in the opener.
Anyway on to Kelso this afternoon and we have all the usual northern horses out in their hunter chase. Not surprisingly Point The Way heads the betting after winning easily at Perth earlier in the month. He is the right favourite, but he can make hard work of things and that race fell apart at Perth given all bar the 2nd failed to give their running and he had nothing to beat. To be fair this might turn out to be the case here as well, but I think it is worth trying to get him beat.
I put Magna Sam up in that Perth race, but the ground went against him that day and he pulled up. There wont be an issue with the ground today, but I am more concerned about the trip. I don't think he really stays 3m2f as he didn't in the Lady Dudley Cup two starts back. I also think he's better in a smaller field. It will be annoying if he does win, but he's not for me today.
I can't have Fortunes Hiding at all on his pointing form and he has clearly been priced up on his BHA rating of 123.
Nine Altars was 2nd in this race two years ago and a stamina test does suit as he showed run running on fast for 2nd to Virak at Musselburgh last year. His run in the race Dolphin Square won here earlier in the month was just bizarre and I'm not sure there was enough in his 2nd at Hexham's point track last time, but he does have a chance if he runs up to his best.
It is hard to see how Killer Crow can reverse form with the favourite and Game As A Pheasant and Son Of Suize have ground to make up on some of these as well.
Dark Mahler is going to be the main bet. He actually finished in front of the favourite at Musselburgh in February as he was 5th and Paint The Way pulled up. After that he was a staying on 2nd over shorter behind Captain Buck's. His next run though is the most eye-catching as he beat Monbeg Chit Chat in a point a month later. Now that one has clearly improved since, but even so that is a good effort in the context of this race. A couple of weeks later he was beaten at 1/2 but that came over 2m4f so I can forgive him that. I suspect he's been targeted at this race since and he looks value at 5/1.
The other one I will cover to small stakes is Six A Side. He was just behind Dark Mahler at Musselburgh in March and then he was 4L 2nd to Monbeg Chit Chat last month which again is a good piece of form. He then just bear Game As A Pheasant before finishing 2nd to One Conemara last time. I think this extra trip will help him and even though he's 13 he is still clearly running well.
Dark Mahler 1pt @ 5/1 with Bet365
Six A Side 0.5pts e/w @ 11/1 with most bookies

I will look back at Stratford at some point, but needless to say from a betting point of view it was a disaster which all started with what happened in the opener.
Anyway on to Kelso this afternoon and we have all the usual northern horses out in their hunter chase. Not surprisingly Point The Way heads the betting after winning easily at Perth earlier in the month. He is the right favourite, but he can make hard work of things and that race fell apart at Perth given all bar the 2nd failed to give their running and he had nothing to beat. To be fair this might turn out to be the case here as well, but I think it is worth trying to get him beat.
I put Magna Sam up in that Perth race, but the ground went against him that day and he pulled up. There wont be an issue with the ground today, but I am more concerned about the trip. I don't think he really stays 3m2f as he didn't in the Lady Dudley Cup two starts back. I also think he's better in a smaller field. It will be annoying if he does win, but he's not for me today.
I can't have Fortunes Hiding at all on his pointing form and he has clearly been priced up on his BHA rating of 123.
Nine Altars was 2nd in this race two years ago and a stamina test does suit as he showed run running on fast for 2nd to Virak at Musselburgh last year. His run in the race Dolphin Square won here earlier in the month was just bizarre and I'm not sure there was enough in his 2nd at Hexham's point track last time, but he does have a chance if he runs up to his best.
It is hard to see how Killer Crow can reverse form with the favourite and Game As A Pheasant and Son Of Suize have ground to make up on some of these as well.
Dark Mahler is going to be the main bet. He actually finished in front of the favourite at Musselburgh in February as he was 5th and Paint The Way pulled up. After that he was a staying on 2nd over shorter behind Captain Buck's. His next run though is the most eye-catching as he beat Monbeg Chit Chat in a point a month later. Now that one has clearly improved since, but even so that is a good effort in the context of this race. A couple of weeks later he was beaten at 1/2 but that came over 2m4f so I can forgive him that. I suspect he's been targeted at this race since and he looks value at 5/1.
The other one I will cover to small stakes is Six A Side. He was just behind Dark Mahler at Musselburgh in March and then he was 4L 2nd to Monbeg Chit Chat last month which again is a good piece of form. He then just bear Game As A Pheasant before finishing 2nd to One Conemara last time. I think this extra trip will help him and even though he's 13 he is still clearly running well.
Dark Mahler 1pt @ 5/1 with Bet365
Six A Side 0.5pts e/w @ 11/1 with most bookies

I will look back at Stratford at some point, but needless to say from a betting point of view it was a disaster which all started with what happened in the opener.
Anyway on to Kelso this afternoon and we have all the usual northern horses out in their hunter chase. Not surprisingly Point The Way heads the betting after winning easily at Perth earlier in the month. He is the right favourite, but he can make hard work of things and that race fell apart at Perth given all bar the 2nd failed to give their running and he had nothing to beat. To be fair this might turn out to be the case here as well, but I think it is worth trying to get him beat.
I put Magna Sam up in that Perth race, but the ground went against him that day and he pulled up. There wont be an issue with the ground today, but I am more concerned about the trip. I don't think he really stays 3m2f as he didn't in the Lady Dudley Cup two starts back. I also think he's better in a smaller field. It will be annoying if he does win, but he's not for me today.
I can't have Fortunes Hiding at all on his pointing form and he has clearly been priced up on his BHA rating of 123.
Nine Altars was 2nd in this race two years ago and a stamina test does suit as he showed run running on fast for 2nd to Virak at Musselburgh last year. His run in the race Dolphin Square won here earlier in the month was just bizarre and I'm not sure there was enough in his 2nd at Hexham's point track last time, but he does have a chance if he runs up to his best.
It is hard to see how Killer Crow can reverse form with the favourite and Game As A Pheasant and Son Of Suize have ground to make up on some of these as well.
Dark Mahler is going to be the main bet. He actually finished in front of the favourite at Musselburgh in February as he was 5th and Paint The Way pulled up. After that he was a staying on 2nd over shorter behind Captain Buck's. His next run though is the most eye-catching as he beat Monbeg Chit Chat in a point a month later. Now that one has clearly improved since, but even so that is a good effort in the context of this race. A couple of weeks later he was beaten at 1/2 but that came over 2m4f so I can forgive him that. I suspect he's been targeted at this race since and he looks value at 5/1.
The other one I will cover to small stakes is Six A Side. He was just behind Dark Mahler at Musselburgh in March and then he was 4L 2nd to Monbeg Chit Chat last month which again is a good piece of form. He then just bear Game As A Pheasant before finishing 2nd to One Conemara last time. I think this extra trip will help him and even though he's 13 he is still clearly running well.
Dark Mahler 1pt @ 5/1 with Bet365
Six A Side 0.5pts e/w @ 11/1 with most bookies

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Not quite the final day of the season as we have 3 more hunter chases after today, but despite the lack of runners we still have a very interesting card at Stratford tonight. Here are my thoughts on every runner and hopefully we can come out the other end in front.
5.10
Argot - His hunter chase win came over 2m in heavy ground back in 2018, but he does handle quicker surfaces as well. Although he has won over 3m in points he is better over a shorter trip so this test should suit. He pulled up at Fakenham in February although that was his first start since May 2019. After that he has won two points over 2m4f and 3m. The problem is neither race was strong. The horse he beat at Shelford Park has run poorly twice since and he was lucky to win last time as the 2nd threw the race away. He could go well though, but it has to be a worry that he pulled up in this in 2018 and that has been his worse hunter chase run.
Babytaggle - In theory a horse rated 74 and he was stuffed in a restricted two starts back shouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this and that might turn out to be true, but if he can repeat his run from last week he is a player in this for me. On the face of it he was beaten 41L in 5th at 125/1 at Huntingdon, but it was a much better run than that suggests. He made the running along with the winner Green Winter and he was bang in contention until just before they turned for home. Now that was against horses who are more stayers than speed horses who he will face here, but if he can repeat those front running tactics again here and put in a similar performance I think he can at the very least out run his odds and possibly even more.
Bandsman - He has had 3 runs in points for new connections over the last month or so and he's been running as if a drop in trip would suit, but we are also talking about a horse who was just denied in a Summer Cup over 3m2f. He certainly wouldn't be a surprise winner as at least the form of those races is fairly strong.
Capitaine - I feel he has been getting better with each start and he hasn't been seeing the trip over 2m4f in hunter chases or points. He was bang in contention at Ludlow in March until about 2 out in a race won by Garde Ville and then earlier this month he was beaten by Rio Bravo, but again didn't give way until late on. That was a good effort for me and he could be suited by this test.
Creative Inerta - It was a really weak hunter chase he won at Exeter 2 years ago, but I don't think he's out of this. He's actually only run 3 times since then. The following year he ran well finishing just behind Risk A Fine when Monsieur Gibraltar won at Wincanton. He was pulled up at Barbury in December and then was a good 3rd at Cheltenham behind Fumet D'oudairies. If he can build on that then he's not out of this.
Ecu De La Noverie - The first Maxwell horse of the night and one who looks set to be the shortest price. I am more than happy to take him on though. Yes he won off 132 at Wetherby in November 2019 and I doubt any of these could manage that and he's not run all that badly in 3 runs since. He's not run since October though though and we then add his jockey into the mix. It will be interesting to see how he's ridden because he's been held up and has made the running. Given Maxwell can't get his tactics right this season I wonder if he will try and keep things simple again and attempt to make all, but I can't be certain. Obviously he can win, but I am happy enough to look elsewhere.
Graasten - Another who has been running as if he wants this trip, but he was also 15L behind Capitaine 2 starts back at Mollington and it's hard to see him reversing that form for me.
Midnight Cowboy - Was pulled up behind Newsworthy on his seasonal return, just behind him at High Easter and then beat him at Kingston Blount when winning last time. The concern for me is he found himself outpaced that day so the drop to 2m wouldn't be an obvious move and 2015 was the last time he tried this sort of trip.
Dissertation - Looks to be outclassed here.
Verdict - Ecu De La Noverie could win this, but there are creditable rivals so I will look to get him beat. Capitaine is the main play e/w as he seems to be getting fitter with every run and looks like a drop down to this trip will suit. Yes he should have no chance on ratings, but I can't let Babytaggle go unbacked at a massive price because that Huntingdon run was full of promise and if he can repeat that here then he can at the very least outrun those odds.
Capitaine 1pt e/w @ 17/2 with Bet365
Babytaggle 0.25pts e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365 (everyone else is 40/1 so will record at those odds)
5.45
Virak - Was 2nd in this a couple of years ago coming on the back of a busy season, but it was still a really good run as the winner was in very good form at the time. Ran 3 times last season and won them all including beating Southfield Theatre and a devastating 27L defeat of Earth Leader at Wincanton. This season he didn't reappear until this month at Cothelstone and he ran out a very easy 12L winner over Shometheway. That should put him spot on for this and I think he will be hard to beat.
Barney Dwan - He was very game when winning at Edgcote, but it looked very hard work. He was a fair 4th at Cheltenham behind Marcle Ridge, but he found himself outpaced that night and I just wonder if he might find this test sharp enough especially given his last win prior to the Edgcote won was over 3m4f.
Deans Road - All out to beat Back Bar at Kingston Blount and he was carrying 3lbs less so doesn't even come out as the best horse in the race. That was 3m and his two previous point runs were both over 2m4f so I do think this trip will suit him better. He was a 7L 2nd to Envoye Special and then won at Chaddesley Corbett although I don't think it was an overly strong contest and none of his runs are good enough to beat an on song Virak in my view.
Merrion Avenue - Has won a couple of points this season including at Hexham last time, but has pulled up in both hunter chases and he looks an unlikely winner.
Verdict - It has to be Virak for me as he looks to have everything in his favour. I think this sort of trip is his best and he comes here a fresh horse unlike in 2019 when he was 2nd. This looks a weaker renewal to me as well and the win earlier in the month showed that he retains all of his ability. Possibly his main danger would be Deans Road as he at least looks like he wants this sort of trip as I think Barney Dwan and wants further. With the two non-runners I suspect it will get tactical and it also means Virak is now odds on. I had made him the best bet of the night but will stick him in a double with something else on the card now.
6.20
Captain McGinley - Bolted up at Cheltenham in the same race he had been a close 2nd to Latenightpass in 2019. Usually he wouldn't have been able to have run in that race again, but clearly Cheltenham over 3m2f suits him well. I thought that race fell apart though because for me he was the only horse who really stayed and I suspect it wasn't a very strong contest. He has 21L to make up on Fumet D'oudairies based on the Leicester race he was 5th although that was over 2m4f so they have a mile further to go here. Even so I would be surprised if he did reverse that form.
Fumet D'oudairies - Was a very cheap buy and has done amazingly well for connections. He's 2/2 in hunter chases having bolted up at Leicester beating I'm Wiser Now by 6L and then winning comfortably at Cheltenham over 2m last time. He had been entered in the first race here and I know connections were tossing up between which race to go for as he is unproven over this far. Usually you would be concerned about a horse being capable of winning over 2m then winning over 3m4f on his next race, but his point wins over 3m suggest he has a decent chance of staying the trip. I also think if he is ever going to stay this far it will be here and there doesn't look like there will be a huge amount of pace in the race. I think connections were right to have a go at a prize like this and if he stays he will be bang there.
I'm Wiser Now - Clearly likes Stratford having won twice here in March and April and I certainly think the way he needs to be ridden suits this track as he can be delivered late and there is a short run in. He didn't enjoy Cheltenham at all last month when finishing 3rd in what wasn't a strong contest and he was behind both Fumet D'oudairies and Premier Magic at Leicester in March and February. If this was over 2m6f I would have given him a chance given his course form, but I think this trip will be too far for him.
Premier Magic - Has done nothing but improve all season having started out by beating Wishing And Hoping by 7L at Chaddesley Corbett in December. After that he won at Leicester although I thought it was his least impressive performance of the season. I do think though the very testing ground as well as the shorter trip were against him that day and he looks every inch a stayer. Something he backed up when winning the Lady Dudley Cup back at Chaddesley Corbett beating Ennistown by 12L which I think is a strong piece of form. I think he looks the one they have to beat.
Vaucelet - We usually see an Irish challenger for this and they took the cup back to Ireland in 2015 and 2016. He has only had 4 starts so is very much a dark horse coming into this. He showed a bit of promise in two maiden hurdles last season and then run in a maiden point in October where he was beaten a head by Brayhill who recorded a RPR of 116 when winning a maiden hurdle at Carlisle. He then wasn't seen until earlier this month when winning a maiden hunter chase at Down Royal in decent enough style. The 2nd was 50/1 that day, but has bolted up in a point since. The others fairly close up haven't done much for the form though. I don't know too much about his jockey and he can't use his 7lbs claim in this contest, but he did win on his only start in the UK when just getting Some Neck up to win the cross-country race at Cheltenham's December meeting last year. He looked tidy enough that day as well as at Down Royal so although he can't claim he certainly isn't a negative. He's obviously unexposed and it's hard to weigh up the form, but as much as connections wouldn't be bringing him over for the sake of it, especially with Covid, my feeling is he will have to improve again to beat Premier Magic or Fumet D'oudairies.
Wick Green - Fancied him at Cheltenham and he ran a complete stinker! That was surely too bad to be true and as much as his Chameron jumped poorly at Exeter he still won well enough and his pointing form last year suggests he is useful. It will annoy me if he does bounce back to win this after the Cheltenham effort and I am certainly prepared to forgive him it, but I think he has a bit too find with Premier Magic and Fumet D'oudairies.
Verdict - I was amazed that Fumet D'oudairies was put in as odds on favourite for this and for me the bookies got it badly wrong. Clearly he can win, but I would have Premier Magic as favourite and it was no surprise to see him being backed after being put in way too big. There are no question marks with him whereas there is with his two main rivals so he is certainly the selection.
Premier Magic 3pts @ 9/4 with Bet365
6.55
Adrien Du Pont - I had wondered where they were going to go with this horse because my thinking was he would find this trip too far for him, but with the make up of the field I think he can go close. He hasn't come out of 2nd gear in his two hunter chase wins so far and beating Envoye Special by 17L gives us a bit of a guide to the fact that he is still capable of putting in performances worthy of his mark of 140. If he sees out of the trip then he has a big chance.
Bishops Road - Struggled badly in both hunter chases so far this season and it would be surprising if he didn't again here.
Bob And Co - The best hunter chaser around and has provided David with 2 of his 3 wins since he returned after injury. He was very game in the finish at Punchestown to get his nose on the line when it mattered and apart from a couple of mistakes he jumped well on the whole. There is a slight stamina concern, but I don't think it will be an issue round here. It's been a month since Punchestown and I don't think it will have bottomed him especially as he probably felt he had barley had a race at Hexham the week before. Obviously his jockey's form is a worry, but as he showed at Punchestown he is good enough to get him out of trouble and if he runs up to his best then I would be surprised if he wasn't too good for these.
Captain Cattistock - Given how he has been ridden the last twice he looks like he will be the pace angle in the contest. He has ground to make up with Law Of Gold on their Doncaster running, but that was by some way his worst run of the season so I think he will go better here. We know he stays, but I think the fact he was beaten last week at Sugar Baron shows he isn't going to be up to beating the best of these here unless they under perform.
Law Of Gold - It didn't happen for him at Cheltenham this year after making a mistake at the water, but the 7th last year was a decent effort. He got his confidence back by winning a point at Garthorpe and then he took full advantage of Shantou Flyer setting the race up for him at Fontwell. He also didn't run up to his best that day and to win this I think he will need Adrien Du Pont and especially Bob And Co to under perform. What I will say though is that we see course specialists at Stratford and the fact he won the John Corbett Cup in 2019 is a big plus for his chances. 
Monbeg Chit Chat - I didn't think the Cheltenham race he won last month was up to much, but the fact Sugar Baron beat Captain Cattistock last week Warwick suggests that I need to upgrade the form. He followed up that Cheltenham success by bolting up at 1/4 at Hexham's point-to-point track a couple of weeks ago. I think he deserves to take his chance, but he clearly does need to find a fair bit to beat some of these.
Sam Red - Seems to love the 4m race at Cheltenham as he was placed again last month finishing 2nd to Captain Cattistock. He was 36L behind Adrien Du Pont at Newbury and pulled up behind Bob And Co at Haydock and it would be surprising if he got any closer here to be honest.
Verdict - We do sometimes see the best horse in the race on paper not win this and Law Of Gold would be the one to take advantage to the Nicholls pair did under perform. Indeed I can't really understand why he was 5th favourite and 20/1 when Bet365 priced up. Not surprisingly he has found his correct position in the market. It would be a great result for pointing as well if he were to win, but the fact his pointing rating is 125, Adrien Du Pont's is 139 and Bob And Co's is 150 shows how much ground he needs to make up and how much he needs them to not be at their best. I said to myself the other day that Bob And Co is the only horse I can back with David Maxwell on top at the moment and so I am going to make him the pick because he is the best horse in the race and hopefully he can get him out of trouble even if he doesn't get the best of rides. The chances are though that Nicholls will win it as I think Adrien Du Pont is the biggest danger.
Bob And Co 3pts @ 5/4 with William Hill
7.30
Alcala - Alcala tops the weights for the only handicap hunter chase of the season. He was out stayed at Musselburgh on his seasonal return by Salvatore, but was able to comfortably beat a weaker field a month later over the same course and distance. He then went to Ascot and beat Tanit River, but he was exactly impressive in doing so and raced very lazily. I am guessing that is why cheekpieces go on for the first time. If they don't work though then there is certainly a chink in his armour and as much as he could win I do think he is a skinny price in what looks to me a competitive handicap.
Monsieur Gibraltar - Been such a great servant over the years and I had backed him off 138 in a handicap at Uttoxeter back in the summer only for him to be a non runner. The problem is he was pretty disappointing in his only start since at Fakenham when emptying very quickly. That form is not good enough to win this, but then any other of his runs in the last couple of years would make him well handicapped off 130. He ran poorly on over watered ground at this meeting in 2018 and should do better on this quicker surface although it is still a concern. The jockey is also a concern, but like I say if he bounces back to his previous form here then he would look a cracking price.
Clondaw Westie - Was miles behind Alcala at Musselburgh and wouldn't have a hope of beating him even at these weights on that form, but his last two runs have been superb. First off he was 4th in the Aintree Foxhunters and then finished 2nd in a hot race at Cheltenham. I say a hot race because that's what it looked like on paper before the race and it looked a hot race in practice both visually and on the clock. The problem is the winner Marcle Ridge and the 3rd Peacock Secret have run terribly in their next runs. My theory is perhaps that race has left a mark on them because it was strongly run and after Aintree as well you do wonder if he might how he might run here. If he can carry his form into this though then he should go well.
Zamparelli - Speaking of that Cheltenham race Zamparelli also ran in it but he fell at the 6th and that may well help him here. His hold up style isn't necessarily the best tactic to use round here, but we know he is going to get a strong pace to work at with Bletchley Castle in the race. Bletchley Castle set the race up for him nicely at Ludlow and he came through really strongly to win going away. There was 7L between them that day with Zamparelli carrying 3lbs less and today he is carrying 4lbs more so on that they should dead heat. In my view though the winner was value for more than the winning margin and this slightly further trip looks set to suit him more than Bletchley Castle. He was improving with every start before the fall and he has a good chance here.
Keltus - He might have beaten Shantou Flyer at Wincanton even if that one hadn't unseated David, but he didn't run as well behind him at Fontwell last time. In between he ran OK in the 4m race at Cheltenham where he just didn't stay. The problem here is that this trip especially round here is likely to be sharp enough for him.
Bletchley Castle - As mentioned above he will make the running, but as much as he was 2nd over 3m at Ludlow 2 starts back there were only 4 runners so he was able to see the trip out better. 2m5f round here ought to be OK, but I'd be a bit surprised if he reversed form with Zamparelli. He was also stuffed at 4/6 at Tabley a couple of weeks ago where he didn't stay again that though was his worst run of the season for me though. He was very strong in the market last night which surprised me as I think he will find at least 1 or 2 too good late on and I think he will just set the race up for the others.
Crazy Jack - Won this in 2018, but stuffed in 2019 and likely to be the same story in 2021.
Verdict - We can cross off Crazy Jack and Keltus straight away. Bletchley Castle looks short enough for me especially on the back of the Tabley effort. Alcala can win, but this is competitive enough and I think the bookies have forgotten it is a handicap rather than a normal hunter chase. Zamparelli is the one I like the most as I think Bletchley Castle will set the race up nicely for him to come through with a late run. Yes I am concerned what the 1st and 3rd have done from the Cheltenham race and that Clondaw Westie has also done Aintree, but if he can run up to those two efforts then he will go close so I want him onside. I also want some coverage on Monsieur Gibraltar. He wins this on his 2019 form and given you can always forgive a horse a poor run I will give him a chance to bounce back from the Fakenham run.
Zamparelli 1pt @ 11/2 with everyone
Clondaw Westie 0.5pts @ 11/2 with Bet365
Monsieur Gibraltar 0.5pts @ 4/1 with Bet365
 
8.05
Bold Gesture - Been kept to shorter trips and the one time he ran over 3m there was only 4 runners so it wouldn't have been much of a test. Suspect he found the ground too testing when he pulled up at Edgcote and that won't be a problem here. He won well the time before and did clock a slightly faster time than Argot on the card. The main concern is he does make mistakes which is what he did at Leicester on his only start over fences under rules.
Fiddler Of Dooney - He took plenty of riding to win at High Easter when just beating The Bonny Boy and his jumping didn't always help either. That was his first run for over a year though so there should be more to come from him. Also worth pointing out that Latenightfumble was back in 3rd although I suspect she didn't stay. He does tend to need plenty of stoking up, but he does seem to find plenty for pressure which is always good to see.
Gats And Co - Won well at Holnicote last time as he did when going back pointing in March when losing his maiden tag at Maisemore. It was 2m4f he won over last time so this trip should suit and there does seem to be a little depth to his form. The concern is that he hasn't really clocked a quick time yet, but has claims.
Pillowman - Won his maiden in March 2018 and then pulled up in a restricted the following month. He then didn't run until February last year when pulling up again. Just over a year later and he unseated at the 4th at Revesby, but things have been going much better since then as he has won both times. Thought he was impressive when landing his restricted last month and he made slightly harder work of it last time, but I think he was probably further back than ideal that day. The two winning times were decent and he looks progressive.
Tekap - He was all out to win at Kingston Blount when having a right old battle with The Bonny Boy with a neck between them at the line. His maiden win last February was in a decent time and after struggling in 2018 he seems to be improving now.
The Bonny Boy - Obviously has to reverse from with Fiddler Of Dooney and Tekap, but it wasn't as if he was a long way behind so you couldn't completely rule it out.
Verdict - This is a pretty weak renewal and there certainly doesn't seem to be a stand out candidate. I must admit I would have liked a bigger price, but I think Pillowman is the right favourite and I make him the selection. He looks progressive and from a times perspective he comes out as the most likely winner. This trip wont be an issue having won over 3m and 2m4f and good ground is perfect. I like the way Fiddler Of Dooney finds plenty for pressure and that could be enough to see him being the main danger from Gats And Co, but in truth anyone of the 6 winning wouldn't be a total surprise.
Pillowman 1pt @ 2/1 with Betfred & William Hill
Fiddler Of Dooney 0.5pts @ 8/1 with everyone
8.40
I am going to write this slightly differently because all of these horses tie in with each other. We have the winner of the Exeter version of this type of race Rose Above It who did it nicely enough. Fountains Chief was back in 3rd and he does get a 12lbs pull in the weights and was beaten just under 12L so theatrically there shouldn't be much between them. 2nd that day was Crews Pitch who beat Granny Mags 5L at Revesby so it is hard to see her winning. Crews Pitch then ran in the Aintree version of this type of race and was 32L behind Latenightfumble. That Aintree race was much stronger than the Exeter one and I just don't see how any of those 3 can possibly beat Latenightfumble if she runs to anywhere near the same level. The other runner is Hope Des Blins and she was a well beaten 3rd, albeit eased heavily and should have finished 2nd, behind Latenightfumble on debut at Dingley. She then went to Cothelstone and unseated at the 11th. She made the running on both occasions and I actually think she will be much better suited to a bumper. She can finish much closer to Latenightfumble although I would be a little surprised were she to beat him. What I do think will happen is she will finish 2nd to the favourite and I would have her 2nd in the betting. Therefore she is worth backing in the betting without market.
Latenightfumble to beat Hope Des Blins 1pt f/c
Hope Des Blins without the fav 2pts @ 100/30 with Betfair (will be up on Bet365 soon as well)
I will put Virak and Latenightfumble in a double given they are both odds on.
Virak/Latenightfumble 2pts double @ 3.15/1 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Yet again on Friday a David Maxwell horse was beaten into 2nd place by a horse ridden by Zac Baker which is what had happened earlier in the week at Huntingdon. I thought Jatilwih had come to win the race jumping the last, but he hung in and stuck his head up in the air and just didn't want to go through with his effort. Was that the jockey's fault? Was he hit on the head with Zac's whip? Did he just run out of stamina or has he just become quirky? I'm not really sure what to think although I thought the whip hadn't struck his face despite being very close to it. I would probably lean towards him not wanting to win as that was my initial thinking. Wishing And Hoping was certainly game though and he made all for a good win. Marcle Ridge bombed out big time and I can only think there was something wrong as this was miles below his best and I wouldn't want to blame the ground.
Southwell on Tuesday see another David Maxwell horse as an odds on favourite in the shape of Cat Tiger. As I wrote at the time I thought Cat Tiger was the best horse in the race at Aintree and would have won with a different jockey on. Based on that he ought to be winning this, but David really seems to be struggling tactically this season and this comes on the back of not being fit to start with. He's only managed to win on Bob And Co at Hexham and Punchestown and Dolphin Square in what ended up as a match at Kelso. He's been beaten on horses that should have been good enough to win races and that has to be a concern for anyone wanting to take short odds about him. You would also have a slight concern about the horse staying the trip in soft ground.
Therefore I am happy to take him on with Peacocks Secret and Tanit River as they look the only other two possible winners in the race. Through Tango De Juilley and Clondaw Westie, Peacocks Secret doesn't actually have all that much to find with Cat Tiger at these weights. He gets 4lbs and then Dale takes another 5lbs off. Realistically you can add a few more lbs to that as well as Dale is a better jockey. The soft ground won't bother him and neither will the trip. I thought he paid for trying to go with Marcle Ridge at Cheltenham which cost him 2nd place that night. Obviously he didn't boost the form on Friday, but as mentioned above that clearly wasn't his true running and I still think that was the strongest race of the night. I think he is over priced at 4/1.
Tanit River surprised me at Cheltenham because he put in his best jumping performance of the season. Yes he did jump to his right at some of his fences which won't be ideal round here either, but he didn't make any mistakes which he had done at Ascot and Fontwell in his other two runs this year. To be fair to him he ran well in both those races despite the errors. We clearly know the trip wont be an issue and neither will the ground. He also gets weight from the other two with it being 11lbs from the favourite. Again I think he is over priced at 11/2 and I am happy to take the pair of them to split stakes to beat Cat Tiger.
Peacocks Secret 1pt @ 4/1 with everyone
Tanit River 1pt @ 11/2 with Bet365

Going into Sunday's 3 races at Sandown the current stats are 49pts staked and 47.98pts returned so currently at a very tiny loss. On Sunday we have the Australian Hurdle and the Australian Chase plus a BM120 Hurdle to get the card underway.
Race 1 (3.10am)
I was really disappointed to see that Wil John had been scratched because he was going to be my main pick for this, but now I am going to side with Eckhart. I put him up at Warrnambool as he looked the value at the odds against Valac, but despite running well he wasn't able to live with him that day. There is no disgrace in that as he is a very good horse and his hurdling form from last season reads very well also. He looks a big price here as the better flat horses have been priced up at the head of the market although I wasn't overly impressed with either on their hurdling debuts. The horse who Mawaany Machine beat at Warrnambool was only 4th last week at Casterton so that form isn't strong. Budd Fox wasn't exactly impressive when winning at Pakenham just beating Out And Dreaming who re-opposes here after winning at Warrnambool. Obviously that does boost the form, but it was probably the weakest of the maidens that he won that day. Wolfe Tone would be the other one to consider as he was a course and distance winner in this grade back in August. He beat Instigator and The Statesman that day so the form looks pretty strong. That came after he bolted up on debut at Pakenham. He was then well beaten at Ballarat but that did come on a Heavy 10 and it wont be anything like that here. There is a chance he might need this first hurdle start of the season especially as it is nearly a month since he last ran on the flat although that was a good effort as he finished 3rd. Given I think the front two in the market are under priced I will save on Wolfe Tone as he is too big if fit and ready, but Eckhart is the main selection.
Eckhart 1.5pts @ 4/1 with Betfair and Betfred
Wolfe Tone 0.5pts @ 13/2 with Betfair and Betfred
Race 2 (3.50am)
Not surprisingly we have a few coming through the Galleywood into this. The Statesman was the winner that day which was a bit of a surprise and he is quite a big price again here. I felt though he got the best ride that day and he also took advantage of some poor jumping rom Instigator and Saunter Boy. Instigator had to go very wide into the straight which cost him the victory for me. I think he can reverse the form although he isn't the pick. I don't really fancy Saunter Boy whose jumping has not impressed in either start this season when 4th in the Galleywood and when beating The Statesman at Pakenham last month. Home By Midnight bolted up on his hurdles debut at Ballarat on a Heavy 10 in August and he has had 5 hurdles trials plus 3 flat runs so far this prep. He has been 2nd in a the Terang Cup and ran well when 7th in the Warrnambool Cup. I can certainly see why he heads the market as he could make into a classy hurdler, but I am going with Valac. If Eckhart does win the opener then it will be the perfect boost for them form and Valac has looked very classy in both his hurdle wins this prep. Crucially he will have his ground because it has been decent weather in Melbourne at the moment and they are having to water the jumps track to get it soft enough (they have to race on at least a soft 6). The slight worry going into Warrnambool was the ground being too soft but it didn't stop him and better ground here is going to be spot on.
Valac 1pt @ 100/30 with William Hill and Betfred
Race 3 (4.30am)
The Australian Steeplechase looks a match between last year's winner Bit Of A Lad and Michelin. Michelin is the favourite and he was very impressive in a BM120 at Warrnambool, but I think the market has them the wrong way round. I thought Bit Of A Lad ran really well when 2nd to Flying Agent in the Brierley and then he was 5th two days later in the Grand Annual. I don't think he really stays that trip and he came out of that race last year as well when winning this. He has to give 6kgs away in weight, but I think he is up to doing that. Obviously Michelin is progressive and has only had 4 starts over fences and clearly it would be no surprise if he won, but I will side with the bigger price of the two.
Bit Of A Lad 1pt @ 11/5 with Betfred

As well as the market getting the Warwick race wrong so did I. Killaro Boy never really looked like he was going to win although having said that the winner also didn't really look a likely winner until fairly late on either. I didn't think the Cheltenham form was up too much, but clearly I have to upgrade the front two from that contest on the back of this. I have to say though that the jockey switch has proved crucial as I don't think Sugar Baron's usual jockey would have won on him as he had a Gina special to thank for the success. Apparently he has the Aintree Foxhunter as a target, but I can't see him having anywhere near enough pace for that. Captain Cattistock ran well again to finish 2nd and Southfield Royale wasn't helped by that one coming across him on the home bend and would have finished closer apart from that. Optimised has clearly gone backwards and Dieu Vivant ran a total stinker.
We may only have 5 runners and as the market suggests only 3 can win, but it is still a fascinating contest. Jatiluwih was supposed to be Maxwell's Cheltenham horse this year, but that plan didn't work out and to be fair Bob And Co is the better horse anyway. He was an easy winner of his first point at Bishops Court, but I was not impressed with his jumping which is surprising given he has run over fences in France. He then went to Barbury and ran a stinker in the race Marcle Ridge won. To be fair to him that performance was clearly too bad to be true and he must be better than that. It will be interesting to see what he can do here against two good rivals.
The weather could play a big part in this contest, because there is plenty of rain due and I would imagine we will be looking at soft ground although I was surprised to still see it as good ground this morning. That probably isn't ideal for Marcle Ridge whose best form has come on better ground. There is no doubt in my mind that he put in the best performance on hunter chase night at Cheltenham last time and that was backed up on the clock as well. He proved that night that he doesn't have to make the running and the fact this is 2m7f rather than 3m will be in his favour as well. Tactics will be interesting because both he and Wishing And Hoping like to be prominent although I can't imagine they will go a crazy pace and I just wonder if that will play into Marcle Ridge's hands. I actually think his two runs on soft ground haven't actually been that bad. They went a crazy pace at Warwick when he ran on it earlier in the season and it was no surprise he wasn't able to see it out. I also wonder if he wasn't quite right given we didn't see him again until Cheltenham.
Wishing And Hoping does have form on soft ground although strangely connections took him out of a race at Catterick earlier in the season due to heavy ground. He did run a few days later at Haydock, but not surprisingly found Bob And Co too hot. That was probably his best run of the season as his win at Maisemore was workmanlike and he was then beaten by Premier Magic although that horse has done well since. He was a bit disappointing for me at Cheltenham though as I would have liked to have seen a bit more from him. He probably stays better than the other two so it would be interesting if Zac decided to make it a proper test, but I am not sure he will do that.
In my view Marcle Ridge has produced the best form so far this season and as long as it doesn't get really testing I think he will be OK on it as I can't see it being a strong test of stamina. If it did get too soft then I think they would pull him out anyway. I've not really been convinced with Maxwell's riding all season which is a concern for the favourite and I would have like to see him jump better on his pointing debut as well. His form over hurdles and in France though was over shorter than this as well so I think he's worth taking on. So I am siding with Marcle Ridge.
Marcle Ridge 1pt @ 2/1 with everyone
 
The current stats for the season are 133.5pts staked and 154.49pts returned so basically a 21pt profit going into the final 13 races of the season, 7 of which will be at Stratford a week today.

As well as the market getting the Warwick race wrong so did I. Killaro Boy never really looked like he was going to win although having said that the winner also didn't really look a likely winner until fairly late on either. I didn't think the Cheltenham form was up too much, but clearly I have to upgrade the front two from that contest on the back of this. I have to say though that the jockey switch has proved crucial as I don't think Sugar Baron's usual jockey would have won on him as he had a Gina special to thank for the success. Apparently he has the Aintree Foxhunter as a target, but I can't see him having anywhere near enough pace for that. Captain Cattistock ran well again to finish 2nd and Southfield Royale wasn't helped by that one coming across him on the home bend and would have finished closer apart from that. Optimised has clearly gone backwards and Dieu Vivant ran a total stinker.
We may only have 5 runners and as the market suggests only 3 can win, but it is still a fascinating contest. Jatiluwih was supposed to be Maxwell's Cheltenham horse this year, but that plan didn't work out and to be fair Bob And Co is the better horse anyway. He was an easy winner of his first point at Bishops Court, but I was not impressed with his jumping which is surprising given he has run over fences in France. He then went to Barbury and ran a stinker in the race Marcle Ridge won. To be fair to him that performance was clearly too bad to be true and he must be better than that. It will be interesting to see what he can do here against two good rivals.
The weather could play a big part in this contest, because there is plenty of rain due and I would imagine we will be looking at soft ground although I was surprised to still see it as good ground this morning. That probably isn't ideal for Marcle Ridge whose best form has come on better ground. There is no doubt in my mind that he put in the best performance on hunter chase night at Cheltenham last time and that was backed up on the clock as well. He proved that night that he doesn't have to make the running and the fact this is 2m7f rather than 3m will be in his favour as well. Tactics will be interesting because both he and Wishing And Hoping like to be prominent although I can't imagine they will go a crazy pace and I just wonder if that will play into Marcle Ridge's hands. I actually think his two runs on soft ground haven't actually been that bad. They went a crazy pace at Warwick when he ran on it earlier in the season and it was no surprise he wasn't able to see it out. I also wonder if he wasn't quite right given we didn't see him again until Cheltenham.
Wishing And Hoping does have form on soft ground although strangely connections took him out of a race at Catterick earlier in the season due to heavy ground. He did run a few days later at Haydock, but not surprisingly found Bob And Co too hot. That was probably his best run of the season as his win at Maisemore was workmanlike and he was then beaten by Premier Magic although that horse has done well since. He was a bit disappointing for me at Cheltenham though as I would have liked to have seen a bit more from him. He probably stays better than the other two so it would be interesting if Zac decided to make it a proper test, but I am not sure he will do that.
In my view Marcle Ridge has produced the best form so far this season and as long as it doesn't get really testing I think he will be OK on it as I can't see it being a strong test of stamina. If it did get too soft then I think they would pull him out anyway. I've not really been convinced with Maxwell's riding all season which is a concern for the favourite and I would have like to see him jump better on his pointing debut as well. His form over hurdles and in France though was over shorter than this as well so I think he's worth taking on. So I am siding with Marcle Ridge.
Marcle Ridge 1pt @ 2/1 with everyone
 
The current stats for the season are 133.5pts staked and 154.49pts returned so basically a 21pt profit going into the final 13 races of the season, 7 of which will be at Stratford a week today.

As well as the market getting the Warwick race wrong so did I. Killaro Boy never really looked like he was going to win although having said that the winner also didn't really look a likely winner until fairly late on either. I didn't think the Cheltenham form was up too much, but clearly I have to upgrade the front two from that contest on the back of this. I have to say though that the jockey switch has proved crucial as I don't think Sugar Baron's usual jockey would have won on him as he had a Gina special to thank for the success. Apparently he has the Aintree Foxhunter as a target, but I can't see him having anywhere near enough pace for that. Captain Cattistock ran well again to finish 2nd and Southfield Royale wasn't helped by that one coming across him on the home bend and would have finished closer apart from that. Optimised has clearly gone backwards and Dieu Vivant ran a total stinker.
We may only have 5 runners and as the market suggests only 3 can win, but it is still a fascinating contest. Jatiluwih was supposed to be Maxwell's Cheltenham horse this year, but that plan didn't work out and to be fair Bob And Co is the better horse anyway. He was an easy winner of his first point at Bishops Court, but I was not impressed with his jumping which is surprising given he has run over fences in France. He then went to Barbury and ran a stinker in the race Marcle Ridge won. To be fair to him that performance was clearly too bad to be true and he must be better than that. It will be interesting to see what he can do here against two good rivals.
The weather could play a big part in this contest, because there is plenty of rain due and I would imagine we will be looking at soft ground although I was surprised to still see it as good ground this morning. That probably isn't ideal for Marcle Ridge whose best form has come on better ground. There is no doubt in my mind that he put in the best performance on hunter chase night at Cheltenham last time and that was backed up on the clock as well. He proved that night that he doesn't have to make the running and the fact this is 2m7f rather than 3m will be in his favour as well. Tactics will be interesting because both he and Wishing And Hoping like to be prominent although I can't imagine they will go a crazy pace and I just wonder if that will play into Marcle Ridge's hands. I actually think his two runs on soft ground haven't actually been that bad. They went a crazy pace at Warwick when he ran on it earlier in the season and it was no surprise he wasn't able to see it out. I also wonder if he wasn't quite right given we didn't see him again until Cheltenham.
Wishing And Hoping does have form on soft ground although strangely connections took him out of a race at Catterick earlier in the season due to heavy ground. He did run a few days later at Haydock, but not surprisingly found Bob And Co too hot. That was probably his best run of the season as his win at Maisemore was workmanlike and he was then beaten by Premier Magic although that horse has done well since. He was a bit disappointing for me at Cheltenham though as I would have liked to have seen a bit more from him. He probably stays better than the other two so it would be interesting if Zac decided to make it a proper test, but I am not sure he will do that.
In my view Marcle Ridge has produced the best form so far this season and as long as it doesn't get really testing I think he will be OK on it as I can't see it being a strong test of stamina. If it did get too soft then I think they would pull him out anyway. I've not really been convinced with Maxwell's riding all season which is a concern for the favourite and I would have like to see him jump better on his pointing debut as well. His form over hurdles and in France though was over shorter than this as well so I think he's worth taking on. So I am siding with Marcle Ridge.
Marcle Ridge 1pt @ 2/1 with everyone
 
The current stats for the season are 133.5pts staked and 154.49pts returned so basically a 21pt profit going into the final 13 races of the season, 7 of which will be at Stratford a week today.