Stratford

Tomorrow, May 31, 2025ChaseClass 23m3f

Verdict

LATENIGHTFUMBLE seemingly faces an uphill task against the likes of Gracchus de Balme and Jeffery's Cross on these terms. However, she's lightly-raced under Rules and displayed plenty of mettle when getting the better of a battle with Cullin Hills at Cheltenham last time, despite refusing to settle. If more tractable here she may well find the requisite improvement to get the better of the aforementioned duo.

Latenightfumble
Gracchus De Balme
Jefferys Cross

3m3f Hunt Chs

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

2. Gracchus De Balme
J: Mr Huw EdwardsT: J. J. O'Shea
F: 23/062P1-2
Price History:
2.38
Age:
9
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Useful ex-Irish hurdler/chaser for Joseph O'Brien and right back to his best when landing the Foxhunters at Aintree last month. Tendency to hang left was no help when turned over at Cheltenham next time, but that was a decent effort nonetheless and he's the one to beat.
3. Jefferys Cross
J: Miss Heidi PalinT: Dan Skelton
F: 2/3P41-2
Price History:
3.50
Age:
9
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Made a winning hunter debut at Ludlow (3m, good) last month and subsequently lost little caste in defeat when a clear second upped to 32.4f at Cheltenham. Likely to be on the premises once again.
8. Latenightfumble
J: Miss Gina AndrewsT: Tom Ellis
F: 1
Price History:
9.00
Age:
10
Weight:
11-7
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Winner of 5 of her last 6 starts between the flags and made it 2-3 in hunters when getting up in the shadow of the post at Cheltenham (25.3f, good) at the start of the month. This is tougher, but she certainly isn't exposed by typical 10-y-o standards and another bold show could be on the way.
1. Empire De Maulde
J: Mr Joshua NewmanT: R. W. Varnham
F: PP/3P22-
Price History:
7.00
Age:
11
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
47
Verdict
Won a couple of points in February and runner-up first 2 starts in this sphere, including at this course (22.6f, good) last month. Bolted up in another point recently and he's a strong each-way candidate.
7. Pink Eyed Pedro
J: Mr James KingT: David Brace
F: 1282/51-
Price History:
-
Age:
14
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Successful between the flags back from a break in March and bagged second hunter chase of his career at Chepstow (23.6f, good to firm) last month. This 14-y-o is clearly in good heart, but more will be needed if he's to follow up in this stronger race.
4. Law Of Gold
J: Mr Dale PetersT: David Kemp
F: 1P/P5-3
Price History:
11.00
Age:
12
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
visor and tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Good strike rate between the flags (10-24) and has won 5 of his 16 starts in this sphere. However, it's been over 2 years since last hunter success and he was around 15 lengths adrift of Jeffery's Cross when third in this headgear combination at Cheltenham.
6. Montanna
J: Mr Zac BakerT: Edward William Walker
F: F8/41
Price History:
17.00
Age:
11
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Fairly useful at best for Peter Bowen back in 2021. Three-time winner in points for this yard and added a hunter to his CV when accounting for 5 rivals at Newton Abbot (25.8f, good to firm) recently, but he now has much more on his plate.
5. Learntalot
J: Mrs Izzie HillT: Alan Hill
F: 1-4
Price History:
15.00
Age:
9
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Fair maiden hurdler for Olly Murphy who showed similar form when winning novice hunter over 22.6f here last May. Successful between the flags earlier this year and wasn't disgraced returned to this sphere at Cheltenham, but he's probably biting off more than he can chew in this company.
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Stratford

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