The hunter chase season is gaining momentum as the scramble for places at the spring festivals begins in earnest. Village Vic has the highest official rating of these and is a former Grade 3 winner, though his last victory came more than three years ago. SHOTAVODKA beat Full Trottle a couple of lengths in this last year, with Rouge Et Blanc fifth, and meets his old rival on better terms, though the latter has a 7lb claimer on board today. Heidi Brookshaw’s veteran can stage an encore having been in good form between the flags this winter. Flaming Charmer won a handicap at Chepstow in November and has his first run in a hunter chase so is preferred to O Maonlai and Always On The Run.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Reikers Island (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Full Trottle (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Always prominent, led 6 out, headed after 3 out, one pace next, rallied last, stayed on to chase winner flat, no extra and held inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Mr Mercurial (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (5) gd in May.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 66-1 (12-0) In touch on outer, lost place after 3rd, blundered 7th, rider lost iron, pulled up before next, at Aintree 2m 5f (2) sft in Apr.
Shotavodka (IRE) 6-4fav (12-4) Ww; eff app 2 out; no ex flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Stellar Notion (12-0) at Larkhill 3m gd in Jan.
Special Wells 14-1 (11-0) (cp) in tch to 9; t.o & pu 2 out, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gd in Dec.
Always On The Run (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) (h) led to 14; ev ch til wknd aft 3 out, 3rd of 9, 27l behind Hazel Hill (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gd in Dec.
Full Print (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) (cp) (tt) in tch til outpcd 3 out, 3rd of 7, 21 1/2l behind Hold Court (12-3) at Lower Machen 3m gd in Apr.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Led to 15; wknd 3 out, 6th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Black Jack Rover (12-7) at Clifton-on-dunsmore 3m in Dec.
O Maonlai (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) (tt) gd hdwy 7; led 13-15; ev ch 2 out; wknd app last (lkd to fin 4th), 5th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Navanman (11-7) at Buckfastleigh 3m gd in Nov.
Richmond (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place and behind 15th, plugged on past beaten horses before last, finished 5th (placed 4th), 5th of 14, at Cheltenham 4m 1f (4) gd in May.
Tinker Time (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Slow 1st, in touch 4th, jumped right and lost place 6th, switched right after 8th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out, at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Toowoomba (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Bhnd til rdr lost irons & pu 5, at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gd in Dec.
Vedettariat (FR) 11-8 (11-7) Hdwy 6; led 11 til hdd & wknd 14; t.o, 3rd of 4, dist behind Popaway (11-0) at Brafield-on-the-green 3m gd in Mar.
Village Vic (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Hampered 1st, towards rear, headway and in touch 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
