/ Timeform / 09 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Friday's race of the Day is at Leicester
"Rathcor's solid runner-up effort is the best recent hunter form on offer..."
Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide for the hunter chase on the Leicester card...
Gidam Gidam is a thorough stayer who won 4m Doncaster handicap chase in February 2010 for John Mackie. Placed both starts in points last year, and confirmed he retains some ability when runner-up on hunter debut.
Marblehead achieved fairly useful form over fences for both Fergal O'Brien and Nigel Twiston-Davies. Since won a point for his new handler in January, and he ought to be competitive in this company.
Special Portrait surpassed previous winning hunter form when a clear second behind the far superior Cloudly Lane at Ayr last month. Will need to raise his game again in a race with more depth.
Rumbury Grey is a three-time point winner who was fit from that sphere when overhauling Galway Jack in 2½m hunter here last month. Easy enough to see those placings reversed under these circumstances, though.
Galway Jack was prolific in points, and not seen to best effect both hunter starts this year, ridden too forcefully at Towcester and unable to quicken over 2½m here. Will do better, especially at this trip.
Pistolet Noir's Career stalled after winning Grade 2 juvenile at Cheltenham in 2009 and evidence of both chase starts last year and his recent point run suggests he's very much a declining force.
Rathcor produced a career best when bagging a 2½m handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in October 2010. Not the biggest, but won a point prior to an excellent runner-up effort on last month's hunter debut.
Kiama produced a better effort on his second hunter start when third at Taunton last month, but in the process underlined her limitations in this sphere, and this is too tough.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Rathcor
2. Galway Jack
3. Rumbury Grey
Timeform Verdict: Rathcor's solid runner-up effort is the best recent hunter form on offer, so he gets the nod, though an improved showing from Galway Jack would come as no surprise.
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Click HERE to get the latest issue of the Timeform Black Book, featuring ratings for all 27 Cheltenham Festival races, plus those for Imperial Cup weekend!
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