Helen Leech Birthday Surprise Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 5m 48.9s

Hereditary Rule^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 138

85/40

Has improved on each of his 4 starts over fences, recording 2 victories. Switched to hurdles, creditable fourth of 14 in handicap at Bellewstown (3m) 22 days ago. Can get back to winning ways.

Form: 541-124

Shetland Bus^t⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 115| D

4/1

Completed hat-trick over hurdles at Perth last summer for Justin Landy but hasn't looked like matching that level back chasing for current yard, again not convincing with his jumping last time.

Form: 5P4-2F2

Imperial Sachin's^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 111| C

6/4

Fair chaser for Gordon Elliott and switched to hurdles for new yard, bounced back to form when winning here in first-time tongue tie 11 days ago. Respected.

Form: 584-P31

Tigerten²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 108

11/2

Won Kempton novice hurdle (21f) in February but hasn't been able to match his fairly useful Flat form over jumps, including when fourth of 6 in handicap on chase debut at Stratford (19.4f) last time.

Form: 4133-44

Forecasts

Imperial Sachin's (6/4), Hereditary Rule (85/40), Shetland Bus (4/1), Tigerten (11/2)

This looks a good opportunity for HEREDITARY RULE to get back to winning ways returned to chasing. The 7-y-o has won 2 of his 4 starts over the bigger obstacles and ran creditably from his much lower hurdles mark last time. Imperial Sachin's can be the one to give the selection most to think about.