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16:00 Kelso

Saturday 2 March 2024

All13:4214:1714:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 47.4s

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Selected odds by:

Chasing Fire⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 134

7/2

Multiple hurdles winner who stepped up on those efforts when making an impressive winning return/chasing debut in a novice at Uttoxeter in October. However, he's failed to build on that in 3 subsequent outings (with jumping concerns), but this much easier than his latest assignment.

Form: 03-14U4

Special Rate^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 133| C

11/5

Has enjoyed a most productive campaign over hurdles/fences, making it 7 wins from 8 starts this season in 2-runner handicap at this course (23.4f, soft) just over a fortnight ago, already in command when sole rival fell 2 out. Stacks to like from an unchanged mark.

Form: 111411

General Officer²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128

4/1

Fairly useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences at Doncaster (19.1f) in December and progressed further when clear second of 6 in handicap chase at Aintree (19.9f, heavy) on Boxing Day. Not so good at Musselburgh last month so must bounce back.

Form: 7-22123

Imperial Bede¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123

11/4

French bumper winner who struck in a Huntingdon maiden hurdle 13 months ago. Form rather plateaued after, but back on the up sent chasing when bolting up in 4-runner event at Southwell (20.4f, heavy) just under 2 weeks ago. Sure to go on to better things in this sphere so he's shortlisted.

Form: 4P-3431

Brandy Mcqueen^p1²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 121| C

10/1

Progressive staying hurdler in 2022/23 (4 wins) who made a winning start over fences by a wide margin at this track in October. Hasn't kicked on next 3 starts, however, again shaping as if amiss at Musselburgh last time (scoped dirty post race). Back down in trip and headgear applied.

Form: 76-137P

Forecasts

Special Rate (11/5), Imperial Bede (11/4), Chasing Fire (7/2), General Officer (4/1), Brandy Mcqueen (10/1)

Tough to rule out any of the quintet but preference is for SPECIAL RATE, who made it 7 wins from 8 starts this season in a match event here just over a fortnight ago and, operating from an unchanged mark, Philip Kirby's 7-y-o can add another victory to what has already been a remarkable campaign. Imperial Bede made the perfect start over fences at Southwell recently so he can give the selection most to think about.