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

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 5m 29.24s

Sholokjack³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

11/4

Irish point/dual hurdles winner who showed no ill effects for his fall at the second on return/chase debut at Uttoxeter when scoring with plenty in hand at Lingfield 32 days ago. Looks sure to progress further and win better races.

Form: 1/116-F1

Miah Grace²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 134| BF

20/1

Useful hurdler who missed last season but has returned as good as ever over fences, second here (17.3f) before going one better at Newcastle, beating a subsequent winner. Tame finish at Bangor 3 weeks ago, however, so needs to bounce back.

Form: 336/214

Castle Rushen³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 130| BF

4/1

Reached a fairly useful level as a novice hurdler (placed in listed/Grade 2 company) in 2020/21 before missing all of last season. Proved he retains all his ability when runner-up over 2½m at Newcastle in January but let down by jumping either side of that.

Form: 232/U2U

Bill Baxter³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128| BF| CD

7/2

Opened chase account at Lingfield (20f, good to soft) in November and improved again when following up here (22.3f, heavy). Still going well when crumpling on landing 4 out at Hereford since so remains with potential.

Form: 24-811F

Gaillimh A Stor³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 122

11/2

Novice hurdle winner who probably would have won but for falling 3 out on chase bow at Ayr despite jumping tentatively/going with little fluency (had picked up strongly). Not disgraced from out of the handicap there since but needs to sharpen up his jumping.

Form: 51-22F3

Half Shot²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: G Sheehan| T: I Jardine| OR: 117

13/2

Opened chase account back from a break at Sedgefield in October before following up over hurdles at Musselburgh the following month. Good placed efforts back in this sphere next 2 starts but he lacks the potential of some of these rivals.

Form: 1-41132

High Moon¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 116

15/2

Fairly useful hurdles winner who acquitted himself well first 3 starts over fences, including when finishing a creditable third at Ayr (21.5f, soft). However, was well held at Haydock next time and others hold more pressing claims.

Form: 8-73233

Forecasts

Sholokjack (11/4), Bill Baxter (7/2), Castle Rushen (4/1), Gaillimh A Stor (11/2), Half Shot (13/2), High Moon (15/2), Miah Grace (20/1)

The potentially smart SHOLOKJACK put his chase-bow mishap firmly behind him when scoring at Lingfield with ridiculous ease and can follow up en route to even better things. Bill Baxter was rather unfortunate to come down when bidding for the hat-trick at Hereford and looks the clear threat, with Gaillimh A Stor best of the others.