Stone – Scored On His Rules Debut (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

The Emma Alvis-trained Stone has cut a frustrating figure at times between the flags, mixing useful performances with disappointments, but he ran out a clear-cut winning of the Hargreave Hale Stockbrokers Hunters’ Chase at Worcester on Wednesday.

The winner led at the 10th and was sent into a 20 length advantage by James Ridley turning for home, which proved decisive. The seven-year-old safely negotiated the fences up the straight to come home clear of the staying-on Ice Cool Benny.

He returned to form on a sound surface last time out, getting within ¾ length of the formerly useful Crescent Island at Maisemore in a fast time, but he has won on soft ground before so it’s difficult to decipher what makes him tick. In truth, the explanation for his success may simply have been an enterprising ride against similar or below standard rivals.

Favourite Ice Cool Benny, conceding 11lbs to the winner, reduced the deficit up the straight but was ultimately given too much to do.

Quatuor Collonges, well fancied after finish fifth at Cheltenham, made a mistake at the first and was never really travelling. He picked off Bob Almighty close home, who had run prominently throughout and looked as though he’d play a major role before failing to go with the winner from five out.

The remainder failed to complete with Invisible Man a non-runner on account of ground.

Realt Ag Leimt – Always Prominent (Racehorsephotos.co.uk)

The Paul Rackham Champion Novices’ Hunters’ Chase on Wednesday at Huntingdon would go the way of a newcomer at the game, in the shape of dual Garthorpe scorer Realt Ag Leimt.

The seven-year-old was in the first two throughout, and jumped really well for a debutant in the main. Having taken the lead from the long time pace-setter Galbally King up the final straight, the hat-trick seeker was pushed clear, only to idle a fraction on the run-in. All in all though, this was a decent display and provided rider Dale Peters with a first winner under rules.

The second horse home set some strong fractions in the earlier stages of this race and did well to keep going. The eight-year-old emerged with credit, which is more than can possibly be said about the third French Canadian, who not for the first time this season proved disappointing. He never really jumped with any great fluency here, and trailed in some way behind.

Fourth In Line and Departed never got close.

That’s Rhythm – Won Both Races Under Page Fuller (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

That’s Rhythm is a winning machine at Bangor and he extended his unbeaten chasing sequence at the track to seven on Saturday, providing Page Fuller with her first success under rules.

The winner led three out and went clear, scooting up the straight to beat the useful Surenaga by ten lengths with something in hand.

The 17-year-old rider has immediately gelled with the gelding, having guided him to two wins in seven days. The veteran remarkably seems to be like a fine wine, getting better with age as he shaved a full six seconds off his previous best winning time over the course and distance (under Graham Lee three years ago when carrying less weight).

Uttoxeter named a Hunters’ Chase at Mount Argus – a six-time course winner and hopefully Bangor will follow their lead and give similar treatment to That’s Rhythm.

This impressive score came just a week after the Fuller family’s newly purchased 13-year-old became the first horse to break the six minute barrier in the 42-year history of Kingston Blount’s Point-to-Point course.

Sally Duckett’s charge his only found one horse too good when completing in this sphere – Salsify – and, if connections are bold, the pair could clash again in the Champion Hunters’ Chase at Stratford next month. The easier option at that meeting is the AGA Ladies Open Point-to-Point Final, a race in which he would start a very warm favourite.

Surenaga, who held every chance before unseating at Cheltenham last time, ran creditably in defeat but was no match for the winner. Favourite Round Tom, who arrived here on the back of two facile wins against inferior rivals, failed to gain an uncontested lead and was passed by Benefit Night close home.

Ice Cool Benny – Concedes Upwards Of 9lbs After Claims (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

The Hargreave Hale Stockbrokers Hunters’ Chase at Worcester threw up a 100/1 winner last year a another shock result looks possible in what looks a wide open affair.

Invisible Man was a course and distance winner off a mark of 129 two years ago and returns to racing under rules after two recent outings in Points. He failed to concede weight to two last-time-out winners at Chaddesley Corbett ten days ago but that form may be strong enough in what looks a fairly modest affair. Rider Phine Banks is very inexperienced at this level but got a tune out of him at Brampton Bryan and he may prove too classy for these.

Quatuor Collonges separated a pair of horses at Cheltenham who have gone on to win Hunter Chases since and was a clear-cut winner of an Intermediate previously. The runner-up failed to advertise that form next time though and, despite his rider Ally Stirling being in the form of her life, he may find a couple of these too strong.

Ice Cool Benny ran well at Wincanton earlier this year but, despite winning his most recent start between the flags, hasn’t built on that effort and looks to be up against it at the weights. He was 35 lengths fifth in this last year.

Stone, who holds an entry at the International Point-to-Point at Tattersalls Farm on Friday, has two ways of running and his form looks below a couple of these.

Temair Feis may be a ten-year-old but he did the job really nicely when making all to lose his Maiden tag at Garthorpe last month. Connections are clearly keen to make up for lost time with him and, with this being just his fifth career start, the son of Kayf Tara is open to improvement.

Miracle worker Charlie Deutsch guided Bob Almighty to a wide margin Maiden success in a quick time at Maisemore earlier this month. The capable James Martin does the steering here and the same trainer who saddled a 100/1 winner at Cheltenham’s Hunter Chase evening, Andrew Campbell, is represented.

The Magherally Man was well beaten by Stone and pulled up in a weaker contest last time out.

Near The Water was disgraced when last of four at Wincanton but his previous Point form looks below the standard required here.

The Walnut Tree is safely held by Ice Cool Benny while Rainbow Trout has been struggling in Maiden company.

Minella has found it tough to complete his races recently.

INVISIBLE MAN comes with risks attached but should enjoy carrying over a stone less than when failing to quicken in a competitive contest last time.

French Canadian – Has Become Frustrating (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

French Canadian has fallen short so far in this sphere but has fallen upon his easiest opportunity to date in the Paul Rackham Champion Novices’ Hunters’ Chase at Huntingdon on Wednesday.

Caroline Robinson’s charge has chased home the likes of Robin Will and Penmore Mill this term on unsuitable ground. He just failed to hold on back between the flags last month but came up against a respectable rival in Sizing America (was second leg of a three-timer) and a reproductive of that effort should see him home here. However, he is very difficult to trust given he clearly doesn’t relish a battle.

Realt Ag Leimt is improving, having won his last two starts (both at Garthorpe, right-handed) but had to work had for his most recent victory. Nevertheless, the seven-year-old been given a decent break before this assignment and has every chance given the times he’s clocked.

Galbally King is likely to be up with the pace (can take a keen hold) and doesn’t seem to see out a proper three miles (his wins have come over sharp tracks) so has stamina doubts here, despite the speedy nature of Huntingdon.

Fourth In Line was outclassed at Cheltenham but still ran well enough and his second in a hotly contested Intermediate at High Easter last month also entitles him to consideration.

Departed was unplaced in a weaker race than this just three days ago (doesn’t appear in the form) and is best watched.

Certainly not a race to invest heavily in but FRENCH CANADIAN sets the standard and is handed the vote. Rain is forecast for tomorrow afternoon which would be a huge worry for the selection but hopefully, with the race being first on the card, it won’t have a chance to get into the ground. Realt Ag Leimt looks next best but Galbally King and Fourth In Line should certainly be competitive.

Chapoturgeon – Too Much Class (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

Chapoturgeon, giving at least 18lb to each of his ten rivals, was made to work hard for his victory in the Ronnie Cook Memorial Hunters’ Chase at Newton Abbot on Monday.

Jack Barber’s mount, carrying more weight than ever before, was held up as always and looked a trouble when not fluent at the penultimate fence. The rider gave the nine-year-old a reminder and guided him up the inside and a fast jump at the last saw him nudge ahead of Presentandcorrect. Tim Sage’s charge rallied back to head the favourite but the winner asserted close home.

It was a fine weight-carrying performance from the winner and he certainly had the right horse chasing him home. The Turgeon gelding has got a blistering turn of foot that the rest of the division are unable to match over intermediate trips and, although he didn’t scamper clear like at Newbury over the past two seasons, it was due to a combination of his welter burden and the nature of the track.

Trainer Richard Barber confirmed the grey will now head to Stratford for the Champion Hunters’ Chase next month but the trip (3m 4f) is likely to stretch his stamina.

Mark Wall did everything right on Presentandcorrect, who ran heroically against the former Cheltenham Festival winner. Even from 3lb out of the weights, it was obvious the 12-year-old was a major blot on the handicapper’s copybook (unbelievably only raised 1lb for his wide margin success at Stratford) and he was presented with ideal conditions here. The runner-up stretched the field from four out with the gelding responding to his rider’s urgings to press on. Wall threw the kitchen sink at his mount and got him back in front after being headed at the last before the rail helped to guide the winner home.

Tiermore, runner-up of course and distance in novice company last month, travelled strongly into the straight but failed to match the turn of speed of the front pair. He may not find a great deal at the business end but looks sure to win one of these eventually. The novice race back here in eight days looking an obvious target.

Big Game Hunter showed his Cheltenham fourth was no fluke by running a mighty race for the Leyshon team, having some fair rivals in excess of ten lengths behind.

Lady Myfanway got the better of stable mate Findlay’s Find, who again hit a flat spot and needs further.

Regal Rumpus made a blunder five from home and weakened while Louis Pasteur, who attempted to repeat last year’s trick of making all, found this company too warm.

Soulard, Himalayan Express and Party Pictures never threatened.

Artic Pride – Won Nicely (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

The useful Artic Pride shrugged aside his two rivals at Market Rasen on Sunday in the Beaumontcote Hunters’ Chase, and in doing so gave the Harbour Court form (the horse who beat him at Cheltenham) a bit of a boost.

The nine-year-old has been a revelation in Points this season and so it was fitting that he could add a Hunter Chase success to his tally after that staying performance he displayed at Prestbury Park.

Again here, the performance was all about galloping on strongly and that’s what Richard Smith’s mount did, breaking the heart of the second Farmer Frank up the home-straight.

The runner-up ran much more encouragingly here and it was good to see the Kent runner back on form.

Larkhill lover Bedrock Fred was well beaten off in third place, and had a tendency to jump badly righ-handed throughout. He is better than what he showed here and something perhaps was amiss.

Presentandcorrect – Looks Well Treated

With over £4,000 on offer to the winner, Newton Abbot’s Ronnie Cook Memorial Handicap Hunters’ Chase has attracted one of the classiest performers in the Hunter Chase sphere: Chapoturgeon.

It seems rather ironic that Chapoturgeon would make his reappearance after the Cheltenham Foxhunters in the Handicap Hunters’ Chase out of all races of it’s type, given that he’s so well-in in normal hunter chases and although his performances over the last couple of season don’t suggest he’s badly handicapped, they don’t exactly suggest he’s well treated either.

Trained for Paul Nicholls (part-owner) at his satellite yard in Seaborough, the nine-year-old has made a mockery of the handicap with just four of his 11 rivals able to carry their correct weight. However, Nicholls hasn’t always had his own way in this affair, an example being when Gwanako laboured to a tame fourth when attempting a similar weight-carrying performance last year.

A case can be made for his superior ability seeing him through this but he may not have conditions to suit. Jack Barber’s mount has never won on ground this fast and Newton Abbot presents a different test given it’s sharp nature. A hold up horse who has been produced with a devastating turn of foot, the short run-in may not play to the gelding’s strengths.

Presentandcorrect had Regal Rumpus and Himalayan Express well held (both higher in the handicap here) when comfortably scoring at Stratford last month. Tim Sage’s charge loves fast ground and is particuarly effective on right-handed tracks. He races prominently and is a course and distance winner, proving Newton Abbot plays to his strengths.

The trip will be plenty sharp enough for Mark Wall’s mount but the 12-year-old carries two stone less than when denying Trouble Digger at Chaddesley last Sunday (pair drew 20 lengths clear of rival chasing a four-timer) so should feel like he’s loose in the field here.

Louis Pasteur has won on both prevoious visits to Newton Abbot (over this trip), including when 9lb out of the handicap in this race last year. Racing keenly, he never saw a rival and thrived in conditions to win by 22 lengths. He races off a 1lb higher than the mark he defied last year in identical conditions so if putting behind some indifferent recent performances (is far from straightforward), he would be a leading player.

Himalayan Express also bolted up over course and distance last season. That was in novice company but the nine-year-old arrives here on the back of 10lb hike for a surprise win at Cheltenham (2m). He isn’t always the most fluent and looks held by Presentandcorrect, especially at the revised weights here.

Regal Rumpus should relish conditions and is likely to travel kindly for a long way under Will Biddick. Despite having stamina doubts, he cannot be completely dismissed given the talent of his rider – who didn’t ride his last time out when disappointing at Stratford.

Paul and Myfanwy Miles are doubled handled with Findlay’s Find and Lady Myfanwy. The latter, given that she’s a mare, doesn’t look well treated (especially out of the handicap) and the former may need further in order to get on top nowadays.

Tiermore has been knocking at the door in hunter chases this year (inlcuding over course and distance) and has been steadily improving. It would not suprise to see him outrun his odds again.

Party Pictures looks out of his depth and, despite not getting home over 3m at Exeter last time, looks held by Regal Rumpus despite being 5lb better off since they met there previously. How’s My Friend has disappointed here in the past and could be outpaced.

Big Game Hunter has only won once in the last four years and is 14lb wrong while Soulard’s form since winning at weak hunter chase at Towcester doesn’t look particuarly strong in the context of this race but he has won a handicap off 18lb higher in the past.

It is difficult not to be drawn to PRESENTANDCORRECT who, if reproducing his Stratford effort, looks thrown in off this mark despite officially being 3lbs wrong. Chapoturgeon oozes class in this grade but may not have conditions to suit while Louis Pasteur is a danger to all given his love of the track.

What A Laugh – Produced Late To Good Effect (racehorsephotos.co.uk)

The Gary Hanmer-trained What A Laugh has always looked to have a touch of class about him and the eight-year-old scored in open hunter chase company for the first time at Aintree on Friday night.

Running in the colours of Richard Davies-Cooke, owner of Mallard Pawnbrokers winner Sorted, the eight-year-old cruised up alongside favourite Rumbury Grey at the top of the straight and, after shadowing his rival, breezed past approaching before the final fence. The success had an edge to it as winning rider Rob Jarrett parted company with Steve Flook recently having guided the runner-up to five hunter chase triumphs last season.

The winner never does an awful when hitting the front and he has impressed with the way he’s travelled several times in the past but he saw off a rival who had appeared to regained his form when bolting up at Cheltenham 16 days earlier.

The ground was officially just on the soft side of good and that, coupled with having another new rider (Nick Slatter riding Cool Mission for his stable), may have hindered the runner-up. Flook’s charge, bound for the Champion Hunters’ Chase at Stratford next month, arguably looked Britain’s main hope after his Cheltenham effort but What A Laugh looks a type who could go well there, with the course and race likely to be run to suit.

Course and distance winner Keenan’s Future won the private battle for third with Cool Mission after the pair were outpaced.

Ludlow Racecourse

Alan Johns landed his first winner under rules by guiding the well backed Rebel Alliance to victory in a thrilling Ann Esp Memorial Hunters’ Chase, the final race of its type to be held at Ludlow this season.

The winner jumped ahead at the fourth and travelled strongly until being briefly headed by Pathian Prince turning for home. His jumping enabled him to regain the initiative up the straight, going three lengths clear approaching the last but the runner-up rallied close home and the judge was needed to split the pair.

The right horses finished in front of him on his last visit to Ludlow in February (2nd and 4th had won since) and a switch to more prominent tactics enabled Richard Thomas’s charge to fend off a below par field of ten here. Regularly partnered by Wayne Maskill, the winner has fallen short of the standards set by Pathian Prince between the flags this term but 2m 4f on a flat track proved just his bag.

Pathian Prince, also frequently ridden my Maskill in Points, hung left up the straight and that may have cost him victory over a trip shorter than ideal.

The remainder were outpaced with Fresh Air And Fun picking off the weakening Intac three out to take the bronze.